Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-10-28
THE ITALIAN QUESTION.

We copy below an extract from London
letter printed in the New York Times, which
seems to us like truthful and sagacious re
port of the political signs in Europe concern
ing the unsettled fortunes Of Italian people.
Italy wants only to be let alone. The trouble
and uncertainty in that country come from the
interference of the great powers" who insist
lieve that anything can be settled without their
agency. But here is the extract -
LONDON, Friday, Oct. A. 1859,
An important change in the aspect OF Italian
affairs, in the opinion OF the best-informed per-
sons here, has occurred since | last wrote to
you. Russia and Prussia have pronounced in
very decisive terms against Austria's being al
lowed to reinState the old rulers of the Duchies
by force. The motives that inspire them are
very different, but their jealousy of Austria is
equal and their desire for humiliation beyond
the Alps, the same.
The Car and his family continue to draw
closer the ties that connect them with the
House Of Savoy; and though for some months
there seemed to be "a cooling off" between
them, arising from doubts entertained at st.
Petersburg as to the real intentions of Louis
Napoleon in Central Italy, i'll proportion as
these misgiyings have subsidized, the disposition
has revived on the part Of Russia to see the
power Of Austria completely broken in the Pc
ninsua. Her statesmen also perceive that by
making her influence once more felt in sym
pathy with the views Of Piedmont, she may
aid in eXtinguishing any lingering hopes Of
French ACCOMPLISHMENT in the person of Prince
ADMINISTRATIONS, as he is called. The
long-cherished dreams Of Prussia, regarding
the head-ship of Germany, are manitestly once
more uppermost in her foreign and domestic
policy. The Duke Of Sax-Coburg has been
inStigated to become a sort of pioneer in
the direction Of what is systematically termed
federal REFORM" but which in reality means
the disintegration of the political system
OF Germany, as settled by the Congress of
Vienna, and the reconstruction of the
national constitution on Republican basis,
excluding all non-German elements. The
tendency of such new federal pact would
unquestionably be to diminish the importance
(small as it is already Of the minor courts and
governments, and practically to give Prussia
the hegemoay or leadership in military matters
her princes having so long coveted The
English government readily enters into these
projects. Prince Albert sees in them the in
creased power of his son.in-law, the eXpectant
sovereign of Prussia; and the Wing Ministry
of constitutional ideas and forms in Germany.
On this ground, and for the sake OF these objects,
better understanding has been come to be-
tween the Court and Lord John Russell, who
was at first highly distaStetul to them as Minis
ter for Foreign Affairs Lord Palmerston and
Mr.. Gladstone go entirely with the noble
member for London in these respects, and |
was told yesterday by mutual friend, who
has had opportunities of learning accurately
Mr.. Gladstone's sentiments regarding Reform,
that he is not indisposed to move onward now
tn that direction. To return, however, to the
point at which | set OUTLAWS prospects are
thus Frightening i'll various quarters. So it is
certain there was but one real danger, namely,
that in pique at the neglect ofhs advice about
his cousin, Louis Napoleon, might once more
seek the friendship OF Austr and Rome. Of
the good will of the latter he has often shown
himself to be highly solicitous, and his fear of
making an open quarrel with the Vatican,
alone restrained his anger, the other day, when
replying to the somewhat threatening speech
addressed to him by the Archbishop of Bor-
deauX. Nevertheless, he contrived to utter
words of warming that struck dismay into the
ultra, Montanists everywhere. He tells the Pa
pal government plainly that he will not much
longer act as its protector, and that its future
existence as a temporal power must depend
upon Its tulflllment Of Its duties to Its subjects,
better than it has hitherto done. | have often
heard it said by personal friends Of this strange
mln, that the two points on which he avowed
his standing dissent from his unce's policy,
were desire at all times to avoid quarreling
with the Holy See, and like resolution never
to break, if possible, with England. For ten
years he has contriyed to maintain these prin-
cipes Of policy, because they were in no way
incompatible; but the British government now
urge him vehemently to make clean work of it
in Italy, and he avows himself weary and dis
gusted with the obstinate refusal of Rome to
make any concessions that would save the
point of honor for him, were he to throw his
shield ouce more over its weakness.