The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-20

Judging from present appearances and recent
information, there would seem to be small Iikeli-
hood of any settlement of the Italian question be
ing effected at Zurich. Even admitting that the
assent only of the two principal Powers is required
for that purpose, and that the sole business of ar-
DINA at the Conference-as suggested by the Turin
Chdrioari-is to sprinkle the sand upon the treaty
which France and Austria may make-in order to
enable Sardinia 10 perform even that useful func-
ton, there must needs be treaty. As yet there is
none. The Plenipotentiaries have met---have
dined together and have conferred-but, seem
ingly, are as far as ever from any conclusion of
their labors. Nor-if we rightly apprehend tho
true cause of the difficulty is the hitch in the ne
gotiations one likely to be easily gotten over It
arises from the unexpected posture of affairs in the
Italian Duchies, and from the unwillingness of the
people of those States to receive back their runa-
way sovereigns. Austria is naturally solicitous for
the restoration of the Archdukes NAPOLEON
pledged himself at Yillafranca to use his best Off
ces to that end. But the people refuse to have
back their fugitive Princes at any price, and pre-
fer annexation to Piedmont BY solemn vote of
their Legislative Bodies, Tuscany and Modena
have decreed the perpetual forfeiture of their
thrones by the Princes of the House of Hapsburg-
Lorraine, and have rendered their ducal crowns to
VICTOR EMMANUEL. All this has been done with
the greatest unanmity, and in the most peaceable
and orderly manner-without tumult, and with
out boodshed. All the forms of consulting the
popular will have been scrupulousy complied
WITH and there is no doubt that the voice of the
Legislature is the voice of the people Austrian
intrigue and French intrigue, into the bargain, it
is said-have been poweress to prevent this result
The statesmen of Tuscany and Modena have
planted themselves upon the English doctrine
Of 1858, and affirm that as the Archdukes were
not driven from their thrones by violence but
voluntarily abdicated them and deserted the
country, they cannot now reclaim the power
they forsook. NJ. GRANIER DE CAssAGNAC speak
ing through the columns of the Constitution
mel, and by special inspiration, as was supposed,
from the Tuilleries, has said tGtaly understands
THAT she is free; if she does not understand it.
$50 much the worse for her." Italy has taken
the EMPEROR at his word Being free, Tuscany
and Modena have decided in favor of annexation
to Piedmont, and it is this fact which embarrasses
and complicates the negotiations at Zurich. In
N0 @NNNHNA'AiNl
combined with rare moderation to bear the ankle
ties and perplexities of their anomalous position,
and to set noble example of voluntary and I'M
constrained obedience to the laws The author
ity Of the Provisional Governments is treated
with the utmost respect, and nowhere in Europe
are persons and property held more sacred, or
crimes less frequent than in those States, at this
time ~ will have no MAzzINIANs, or Socialists.
''or GARIBALDIANs in my army" says GARIBALD1;
81 want none but soldiers and Italians about me-
And the spirit of the Commander-in-chief is the
spirit of the army and Of the people What is
to be done? There is no doubt that Austria
would gladly re-impose the Arch-Dukes upon their
unwilling subjects, at the point of the bayonet.
This, however, France cannot permit France
that drew the sword to protect Sardinia, and res
cue Lombardy, cannot with honor suffer Austria,
by force of arms to restore her ancient and hated
supremacy in the Duchies. Sardinia would
doubtless gladly enough accept the proposed aces
sion to her enthusiastically enlarged by the
addition OF Lombardy-and assume the trust re-
posed by the Tuscans and Modenese. But without
the consent of her Imperial ally, Sardinia dare
move in the matter no more than Austria, and
the will of the EMPEROR is fettered by the promises
made at Villafranca. This, then, is the knot
which the fingers of diplomacy have thus far failed
to untle and which the sword may yet be required
to cut. Nor is such practical solution of the
question as far removed from probability as some
may imagine. The people of Romagna have made
common cause with the people of Tuscany and
Modena. When-upon the approach of the French
Tho A,1-f,
from the Legations-the scarlet and purple repre-
sentatives of the Papal power fed with them, and
the representatives of the people were installed in
their stead. Provisional Government was
formed-a National Assembly convened, and at a
general election, in which, we are told, all classes
participated with the greatest alacrity, the
priests deposting their ballots freely with the
people, it has been decided by an immense ma
jority not to submit to the re-estabshment of the
temporal power of the PoPE. The PORE, how
ever, untrammclled by any souvenirs of Villa
1ranca, and under no obligation to consult the
pleasure OF France, await the issue of the neoo
tations at Zurich, objects most positively to the
alienation of any portion of the patrimony of ST.
PETER! Laying aside the weapons of spiritual
warfare, the Holy Father is preparing with fire
and sword, to reduce his rebellious children to
submission. With artillery and bayones he hopes
to reconquer the affections of the Boognese as it is
to be presumed he has conciliated those of the ct
zens of Perugia. Will the brave Romagnoli be so
easily conquered as the people of Perugia? Will
their brethren in Tuscany and Modena, with whom
they are in league, permit them TO be slaughtered
by the hireling Swiss and mercenaries of every
nation, who are being enlisted in the ranks of the
Papal army? 1t is to prevent just such catas-
trophe that the flower of Central Italy is now in
arms, under the command of GARIBALDI. 1t is
possible that the secuarization of the Papal Gov
eminent may take place sooner, and in different
way from that contemplated by the diplomatists at
Zurich. The Italian question is capable of vet
deeper complications than any which at present
exist. We shall await with deep interest the de-
velopment of the events which are to lead to its So
luton, and not without pro found sympathy for the
suffering peoples whose hopes of freedom, often
dashed and long deferred, are, even now, trem-
bling in the balance.