Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1859-12-07

AoOO GILLIAN KZVOSs
NRw ASPECT OF THE ITALIAN QUEs-
rIoN.-One of the wisest acts of English
diplomacy is the decision announced the
other day, At the Lord Mayors dinner.
by the Home Secretary Of State, that
England would take no part in any
Congress upon Italian affairs, except
with . view to the maintenance Of
principle to be considered sacred, name
Iy, that no force shall be used tor the
purpose of debating to the Italian ma
ton the choice Of its rulers" or even its
form of government. The bearing of
this upon the future history of Europe
will be most momentous. 1t puts Eng
land in the very same position that the
United States Government have occu-
pied so satisfactorily Tor seventy years,
avoiding all Exchanging alliances" II
that is agreed to beforehand, England
will be secure from being drawn into
any wars on account Of Italy. If any
Of the powers fail TO pledge themselves
to this, she will not 60 into Congress
if they agree to break it she can retire,
or, if one power does, she can 60 into
hostile measures or not, as she may
think proper.
But this very declaration is a prece-
dent that she can never abandon. Ma
polcon foresces that, if adopted, it will
lead to the revision of the treaties of
1915, which undertake forever to exclude
Napoleon and his descendants from the
throne of France, which is now simple
act OF justice to that power. For this be
cares far more than for the state Of tia
ly. Hence he will agree to it. This
principle will alone cut the gordian knot
of the Vilia-Franca protocles and the
Zurich treaty, Of which he has become
heartily sick and tired. 1t will perfect
ly release him from all his engagements
to Austria on the one hand, and Sardin-
ia and Italy on the other, to submit the
whole future of Italy to Congress,
upon no matter what terms.
Austria alone would object to this
settling Of the very point of issue be-
forehand by such an agreement. She
would no doubt prefer to try the sword
to enforce the rights or rather the
wrongs stipulated by the Zurich instru
ment. France could not interfere d..
rectly in the face of treaty hardly yet
dry. But as both parties have agreed
to endeavor to submit the matter to a
European Congress, they are both bound
to get one together on the best terms
that are to be bad. If not, the other
party would be released clearly. If q
Congress of the great European powers
can be got together without recognizing
this as their preconcerted basis, Austria
would gladly see England self-excluded
thus by her own act. But if Congress
cannot be got together without England,
and England chooses to insist on this as
preliminary essential, why Austria
must abandon all claim to the treaty
with France, or else to submit to the
same that all the rest are willing to &C.
cept for her presence. 1t seems proba-
bic that this is about the tnrn things are
about to take. Russia and Prussia have
agreed, it is pretty confidently ascer
tanned, not to 60 into any Congress from
which Great Britain is by any circum-
stance excluded.
The reason for all this is clear. Rus.
STA has been very sore with England,
bnt she and Russia see with alarm the
amazing power Of France, and that by
dipiding the great powers, she compcls
each Of them separately 10 give way
Just now these two powers are anxious
to raise up Sardinia to the rank of a first
rate power, if thereby they can keep
her from being what France desires, a
cat's-psw, through which Napoleon may
really command Italy.
Russia and Prussia both hate Austria,
and are willing thoroughly to humble
her pride and her power. Hence, they
will now consent to Venitia and the
Dukedoms, and part, at least, Of the
Papal States, being allowed to place
themselves under Victor Emanuel, and
so forming strong and Independent
Italian Government. They care little or
nothing about liberty except to repress
it, but everything for couuterpoise to
the power of France, and the pleasure
of administering severe rebuke to the
trcachery of Austria. In this way Eng
land may steer happily through the
storm without war, and, in fact, as the
pilot t'-at is to lead Europe out of her
complications into principle Of greatest
practicable freedom, by initiating our
policy, and not meddling with the bust
ness of others.
A VISIT TO THE CAPITOL-The men,
bels of Congress-, as they are now COM
mig in, their families, and transient vis>
itors, are all eager to visit the Capitol /;
and richly do the grandeur and beauty
of its various departments repay the clio
sest ana most minute examination. The
majesty Of the edifice itself, the superb
decorations, the splendid works of art
displaying the skill Of the sculptor and
the painter, impress every spectator. In
respect to the changes in the hall of
Representatives there is great deal of
diversity Of opinion. While it is ad-
mitted that the substitution of benches
for chairs and desks will tend to dimin-
ish the length Of speeches, and compel
members to 60 to the vote much sooner
than usual heretofore, yet the want of
the old conveniences for writing to con-
stituents, franking documents, attending
to the various demands upon members
r.. A.