The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-05-11

Count CSVtUr II, WITHOUT 0ouos, Tue feauiuS
statesman OF Italy. That vas e mastery
movement of bis which placed his government
in alliance with those of France aud England,
particularly at o moment when Austria STOOD
aloof, waiting until all parties were tired CT
the conflict, and che might become their arbi-
TRAITOR and dictator. BY this movement Sardinia
gained the good will and support Of powerful
friends, secured her constitutional position
against Austrian intrigues, and made herself
the nope and the light of Italy. We must not
forget, however, that among the liberal aRt
intelligent meE who are part Of her Cabiret
is the Chevalier Mossi, who FOR many years
resided in this country as the Sandman Charge
dAfaires, and is thoroughly well informed on
all American subjects. We have no doubt that
his experience and information have Been Of
signal advantage to his country. Azeglio is
another Of those constitutional Ssrdinians WHO
is also hopeful for Italy, ana anxious to ee-
cure it's unity and independence. TIE ad-
vancing condition of the Piedmontese may be
understood when we state that they have par
liamentary representation, free press tolera-
tion of religion, and great commercial and in
austTial activity.
The only difference between these men and
the Italian democrats is, that while both de-
sire regeneration, the former seek to effect It
by measures surs, If slow, and probably to OBJ
tam the permanent result Of making Piedmont
the head Of the new Italian nation. There is
another party which desires federal organ
zation of the Italian States. The one idea
OF freedom and nationality pervades all these,
and SO far there are unity and friendship. In
the way OF the success of these ideas is the
Austrian policy and the Papal power, both of
these firmly allied by the concordat. What
ever may be the tendency of the Romish creed
where it lie separated from tie secular power,
there ia no doubt whatever that the civil gt
vernment of its ecclesiastics" is the worst q
the world. Where the ruler combines in hug
self unresisted political and spiritual authori
ty, every sentiment of honor or truth, every
feeling Of independence in the people, may be
"cInshed out" 1t was impossible even for
Pho Nino to take single step towards consti
tutional liberty without losing his keys; and
now both he and his priests find that their only
hope of permanence is in their opposition to
federation and individual freedom; and the
losses which the church has sustained by the
growth of these principles in Piedmont, and
which seem likely to increase with every days
discussion, have caused it the direst forebodings
and the most profound alarm.
1t is very general opinion in Italy that the
power of the Pope must be desecularized be-
fore freedom can be secured to the people;
and this is an old idea. In lS49 there was
published in Paris an extract from an ancient
French prophecy, which would seem to be near
its accomplishment. 1t, among other things,
declared that after des qerreles trtsciues les
pasissances allies derEa, ct du Nord," there should
arise chief OF the church, of great piety AMI.
learning, under whom it would recover its pri-
eera le Pope Ct tous les amres dignanes ecclesias-
tiqms dpouilles de toue ponpe nsondaine ct de toue
uridiscon temporelle ct riure CONNIE pisaa ancenne
ment tout le clegt sasrant la discipline frimtioe'
This prediction, which despoils the Pope and
his ecclesiastics of all worldly pomp and al
temporal jurisdiction, would be welcomed id
its tulflment by all the sensible and educated
Neapolitans nor Lombardise can make head
way, even though public opinion and anti
Roman tendencies are on their side, as
long as Austrian muskets are pointed
at the heads of Italian parents and CIR
man school books ere forced into the hand
of Italian children. France may prefer to
have Murat upon an Italian throne, but Egg
land will favor the liberal ascendency of Pied
mont. To us acr oss the water, the only aspects
in which the question presents itself are those
which favor the general principles of freedom
and the extension of commerce.
The kingdom of Sardinia, composed of Pied
mont and the island after which it is named,
has population of about five millions, and an
area of about thirty thousand square miles.
The continental part, or Piedmont, consists Of
the upper basin Of the Pc and its af1uents, by
which 1t lie we'll irrigated. Savoy (restored by
the treaty of 1879 lie poor, billy country, and
the districts of Genoa and Nice, billy sn
rocky, are only fertile on their soutnerl
slopes. The island Of Sardinia is naturally
fertile, but is in a rude and uncul.ivated con-
dision. In the interior, horses are found in
wild state. There ia small excess of corn
raised, which is exported to the extent of FIVE
hundred thousand bushels in good seasons.
Olive oil, barilla, wool, wine and skins are also
exported, and the coral and funny fisheries, 80
graphically described by some recent travellers,
are very valuable.
But ii is from Genoa that the commerce of
4 H., l.ta al ef 4I,o
its population (about 1870, 000) is not so gre 10
as formerly, yet it is actively engaged in al
extensive foreign commerce. Its chief bust
ness relations are with England, France, Aus
tria, Naples, Sicily, Russia on the Black Sea-
the Levant, Brazil and the United States and
most Of its foreign trade lie carried on under
the national flag. The foreign trade Of Swift
-.