Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1859-07-02
The Austrian Manifesto.

The Austrian Manifesto.
have ordered my faithful and gallant army to
put stop to the inmical acts which for a series
of years have been committed by the neighboring
State of Sardinia against the indsputable rights
OF my crown, and against the integrity Of the
realm placed by God under my care, which acts
have lately attained the very highest point. By
30 doing have fulfilled the painful but unavoida-
bic duty of sovereign. Ny conscience being at
rest, can look up to an omnipotent God, and pa
tiently await His award. With confidence leave
my decision to the impartial judgment of eontem-
poraneous and future generations. Of the appro-
baton of my faithful subjects l am sure. More
than ten years ago the same enemy-Tiolating in
ternational law and the usages OF war, and with
out any offence being gven-entered the LOmbar-
doVeGeUan territory with the intention of acQuir-
ing possession of it. Although the enemy was
twice totally defeated by my gallant army, aud at
the mercy Of the victor, behaved generously, and
proposed q reconciliation. | did not appropriate
to myself one inch of his territory. | encroached
on no right which belongs to the crown of Sardin-
la, one OF the members of the European family
of nations. insisted on no guarantees against
the recurrence Of similar events. The hand of
peace which in all sincerity extended. and which
taken, appeared 10 to be a sufficient guar
antee The blood which my army shed for the
honor and right of Austria sacrificed on the al
IdE Vi prdCCs 4it IcNdtu lOT SUCH uileAdIupltu
forbearance was an immediate continuation of
nifty which increased from year to year, and per-
fdious agitation against the peace and welfare of
my LOmbardo-V Venetian kingdom Well knowing
what precious boon peace was for my people and
for Europe, patiently bore with these new hos
tlIties. My patience WAS not exhausted when the
more extensive measures which | was forced to
take, in consequence of the revolutionary agita-
tion on the frontiers of my Italian provinces and
thac 10
er degree of hostility. Willingly accepting the
well meant mediation of friendly Powers for the
maintenance of peace, | consented to become
party to n Congress of the five great Powers. The
four points proposed by the royal government of
Great Britain as basis for the deliberation of
the Congress, were forwarded to my Cabinet, and
| accepted them, with the conditions which were
calculated to bring about true, sincere and dur
able piece In the consciousness that step
the part of my government could. even In the most
remote degree, lead to a disturbance of the peace,
| demanded that the Power which was the cause
of the complication and had brought about the
danger Of war should, preliminary measure,
disarm. Being pressed thereto by friendly Pow
ers, at length accepted the proposal for gener-
al disarmament. The mediation failed in conse-
quenee of the eptableness of the Conditions
on which Sardinia made her consent dependent.
Only one means Of maintaining peace remained
| addressed myself directly to the Sandman Gov
ernmsnt, and summoned it TO place its army on a
peace footing and to disband the free corps. As
Sardinia did not accede To my demand, the moment
for deciding the matter by an appeal to arms has
arrived.
I hare ordered my army 70 enter Sardinia.
| am of the vast Importance of the meas
ure, and If ever my duties monarch weighed
heavily on me it is at this moment. War is the
scourge Of mankind | see with sorrow that the
lives and property of thousands of my subjects
imperilled, and deeply feel what severe trial
war is for any realm, which, being occupied with
its internal development, greatly requires the
tinuance of peace. But the heart of the monarch
must be silent at the command Of honor and duty.
On the frontiers is an armed enemy, who, in al
lance with the revolutionary party, openly an
nounces his intention to obtain possession OF the
dependencies of Austria in Italy. To support
him, the ruler over France-whO under futile
pretexts interferes in the legally established rea
lions OF the Italian Peninsula-has set his troops
in movement. Dctachments of them have already
crossed the frontiers of Sardinia. The crown
which | received without spot or Flemish from my
forefathers has already seen trying times. The
glorious history Of country gives evidence that
Providence when there is lOreshadowing that
the.greatest good 6f humanity is in danger of be-
ing overthrow in Europe, has frequently used the
sword Of Austria in order to dispel that shadow.
We are again on the eve Of such a period. The
overthrow of the things that be is not only aimed
at by factions, but by thrones. 1.-THE original can
not be rendered literally, but its is that the
present revolutionary movement IS caused by mon
archs as well as by private individuals.l
The sword which have been forced to draw is
sanctifed. inasmuch as it is defence for the hon.
or aud rights of all peoples and States and for all
that is held most dear by humanity.
To you, my people, whose devotion to the hered-
itary reignng family may serve model for all
the nations of the earth. l now address myself.
In the conflict which has commenced you will
stand by with your oft proved fidelity and de-
votion. To your sons, whom | have taken into