Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1859-05-20
imperial Manifesto,
To My PEOPLE.

have ordered my faithful aud gallant army
to p1t stop to the ininiica acts ian feiudugen)
which for series years have been committed
by the neighboring State of Sardinia against
the indisputahlo rights of .ny crown, and against
the integrity of the realm placed by God un
der my care which acts have lately attained
the very highest point (couJlthrem hohenpunkte
angelaagt BY SO doing have fulfilled the
painful (SGhwerel bat unavoidable duty Of
sovereign. Ny conscience being at rest, can
look up to an omnipotent God, and patiently
await His ward. With confidence leave MY
decision to the impartial Judgment of contehi-
poraneous and future generations. OF the
appreciation of my faithful subjaofs an sure.
More than ten years ago, the same enemy
violating International Iaw aud the usages of
war, and without any offence being given
entered the Lombardo- Venetian territory with
the intention of acquiring possession of it.
Although the enemy was twice totally defeated
By my gallant army, and the mercy q the
victor, behaved generously, and proposed a
reconciliation riecate die hand zur cerSoaung.
/ did not appropriate to myself one inch of bis
territory. [ eucroaehed on no right which
belongs to the crown of Sardinia, as one of the
members of the European family of nations
insisted on 20 guarantees against the recurrence
of simIa. events. The hand Of peace which
in sincerity extended, and which was taken,
appeared to me to be sufficient guarantee
The blood which my army shed for the honor
and right of Austria sacrificed the altar
of peace tdens trieden bJaette len GGs 6tat
meiaer armee gun oofer.l The reward for such
unexampled forbearance was an immediate con-
tnuatlon of enmity, which increased from year
to year, and prefiious agitation against the
peace and welfare of my Lombardo-V Venetian
Kingdom. Well knowing what precious boon
peace was Cor my people and for Europe
patiently bore With these new hostiiities. Ms
patience was not exhausted when the more ex-
tenslve measures which | was forced to take 10
consequence. of the revolutionary agiitatios, on
thd frontiers of my Italian provinces, aud within
the same. were made an excuse for higher
degree of hostility. Willingly accepting tue
well meant mediation of friendly Powers for
tue maintenance of peace, | consented TO be-
come party to Congress Of the five great
Powers. The four points proposed by the royal
government Of Great Britain as a basis tor the
deliberations of the Congress, were forwarded
to my Cabinet, and | accepted them with the
conditions which were calculated to bring about
true, sincere aud durable peace. In tue con-
sclousUess that step on the part of my gov
ernuIent could, even in the most remote degree,
lead to disturbance of the peace. [ demanded
that the Power which vas the cause of the
complication and had brought about the danger
OF war should, as preliminary measure,
dlsarm. Being pressed thereto by friendly
Powers, at leugth accepted the proposal fer
general dsar nament. The mediation failed in
consequence of the unacceptableness of the
conditions on which Sardinia made her consent
dependent. Only one means of maintaining
peace remained. | addressed myself directly
TO the Sandman government, and summoned it
TO place Its ARMY on peace footing and to dis
band the free crops. As Sardinia did not ac-
eede 10 my demand the nonent for deciding
the matter by an appeal to arms has arrived.
have ordered my vast army to enter Sar-
dlnla. | am aware of the vast Importance of
the measure, and if ever my duties as monarch
weighed heavily or 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 are imperilled, and deeply feel
what severe trial war is for my realm, which,