The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-27
ITALIAN AFFAIRS.


Events are assuming more threatening appear
ance, and Italian affairs seem to be approaching a
crisis. An unpleasant feeling exists between the
French and Austrian governments, and war be-
tween these two powers-a probability which is
freely admitted by the European iournals-would
necessarily involve Italy. The Austrian rule in
Lombardy, though it has given the country rail-
ways and tclegraphs, is irksome to the people
The revenues are wholly inadequate to meet the ex
orbitant taxes, and the taxcoectors say that there
is not enough coin in circulation to paw the heavy
government dues. Petty tyrannies, such as forbid
ding the people to smoke i'm the streets of Milan
have further exasperated the Lombards, and they
are again ready for revolt. They showed how
bravely they could resist their oppressors in lS4S
and though their efforts then fruitless they
may now, perhaps, meet with greater success
Nor are the other parts of Italy less disposed to
change.
But the great want of Italy at the present mo-
ment is "the right man in the right place" MAJ
Zini, who has been mixed up with so MANY former
failures, is distasteul to many of the people who
yet are ardenuy opposed to their present rulers.
There are no other prominent Italian leaders, those
who took part in the revolution of AS, Mann Ga
ribadi, Cornusch, and others, having died or sunk
into obscurity. The Italians, it should be remem-
bered, are not universally in favor of republic,
and many, perhaps the majority, desire only con-
stitutional monarchy. Others want a change,
hardly knowing what, and only look for some great
leader to give it specific direction.
These aspirations, however, must find their OBJ
Ject, and IL a leader do not grasp the proffered
sword, the Italians will thrust it into somebody's
hands. At the present time public opinion seems
to point to the King of Sardinia as the future re-.
generator OF Italy, and medals bearing the inscrip-
ton emmanuel, King of Italy," have already
been circulated through Lombardy. The policy of
Sardinia is decidedly tilibusterne; in lS4S Charles
Albert came very near adding LOmbardy to his do
minions, and it now appears probable that his sue
cessor will undertake to c0nsummate the work.
Viewing matters in this light the present King of
Sardinia becomes of the most prominent figures
cheSsbOard EurOpnan
So far, Victor Emmanuel Albert Eugene Ferdi-
nand Thomas, as he is Enthusiastically named, has done
little to call for either special praise or blame
Coming prematurely to the throne the abdc
ton of Charles Albert in 1919, he has respected the
liberal constitution, which Sardinia alone, of all
Italian governments, enjoys, and which was the
sole beneficial legacy of the revolution of lS48; and
he passes bis time quietly, either at his pleasant
capital of Turin, or in making friendly visits to
brother mOuarchs. He is liberal in his views mild
in his disposition, and, general thing, liked by
his people, lie respects religious liberty (proba-
bly, because the constitution obliges him to- and
the Wadenses in the mountain passes of Piedmont
well as the Catholics of Turin and the provinces,
speak of him with regard and affection During his
equable reign Turin has increased in its size, popu-
lation, and the general intelligence of the people,
The administrative debates are open to the public;
the press, though not perfectly Free is less restrict
ed than in other continental countries, and the
cheap daily papers are read by every one in Turin,
even to the boot-blacks and the pedlers. But
stand forth at the head of the Italian armies and
risk another NOvara, remains to be seen.
This subsection to Sandman rule is, however not
the only project now stirring in regard Northern
Italy. There some who seek to revive the an
cient glory of the Venitian republic; others who
hope for separate LOmbardo-V enitlan kingdom;
while another rumor. interesting, if not probable,
suggests that Sardinia and France will unite in
expelling Austria, and then divide the country,
Sardinia receiving Modena, Parma, and part of
LOmbardy, while Venice and the remainder of
Lombardy will be formed into a separate kingdom,
to be ruled by Prince Napoleon. To. this latter
will be added Romagna, that portion of the Papal
states bordering on Lombardy and the Adriatic
sea. 1t is further prophesied that the dynasty of
Murat will be replaced on the throne of Naples,
and to that kingdom will be annexed all the other
domains of the Pope, excepting only the city and
campagna of Rome; so that Plus TX. would be de-
pendent upon subventions from the other Catholic
powers for means to support his dignity. This
rumor is, perhaps, more fanciful than truthful;
but it is Interesting to observe how cody the di
vision of countries can be discussed as though the
inhabitants thereof had not the remotest interest
in thenmatter.
We learn from the Eco d'Halia that the Italian
National Society (which does not adhere to Mazzi
nj has addressed to the Italians circular giving
statistics as to the number of troops that can be
brought into action in Italy. The same paper adds:
"Italy can depend for the holy war Of her indie
pendence on 100000 Piedmontese, 1000 Parrnese.
900 Modenese, O0OO Tuscan, 10000 Roman, So.
600 Neapoitan, TO- 900 Sicilian, and 20 900 Lombar
do-Venitan troops, and more will in six months
come forward"
Thus the matter stands at present. As far
as human foresight can discern, it seems impossble
Tor the great Italian crisis to be much longer most
poned When 1t does come, the two most promi-
nent names connected with it will be those of
Iarro NAln IN