Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-10-04
from the Monjteur Sent. OIL

distoris The most simple incidents, it be-
| comes indispensable TO re-establish their real
| character in order that every may be
abb. with full knowledge of the fact, to
judge OF the progress of events.
To the month of July last. when the Franco
| Sandman and Austrian armies Were in
| presence of each other, between tie Adige
and the Mincio the chances were nearly
| equal on both sides; for. if the former had on
| its side the moral influence of successes OBJ
| tanned. the latter army was numerically
| stronger. and leaned for support not only on
| formidable fortresses. but al-o on the whole
of Germany. which at the first signal was
ready TO make mmon cause in favor Of
Austria. Had that eveniualiiy been realized
the Emperor Napoleon would have been en-
| forced TO withdraw his troops from the banks
of the Adige to direct them on the Rhine. and
| the cause of Italy, for which the war had
been undertaken, wonld have been, if not lost,
at least seriously compromised.
In these grave circumstances, the Emperor
| though. that il would be advantageous TO
France in the first place, and to Italy next. to
conclude with the programme which he had
| imposed on himself, and useful 10 the cause
which be wished to serve.
| The first question was TO know whether
| Austria would cede by treaty the territory
which bad been conquered; the second.
whether she would freely abandon the supre-
macy which she had acquired throughout the
| whole of the Italian Peninsula: whether she
would recognize the principle of an Italian
| nationality in admitting f. deraiive system.
| and lastly. whether she wonld consent 10 en-
/ dow Venetia with institutions which would
| make her a real Italian province.
| Relative to the first point, the Emperor of
| Austria ceded, without dispute, the conquer
| ed territory: and with regard TO the second,
be promised the most extensive concessions
| 10 Venetia, admitting for her future organi-
cation the position of Luxembourg re-
CARDS the Germanic Confederation. but he
made a sine qua non condition for these con-
ces sions the return of the Archdukes to their
States
The question was. therefore, very clearly
set forth at Fillafranca: either the Emperor
Napoleon should stipulate nothing for Vene-
Tia and cOnfine himself to the advantages ac-
Qnircd by arms, or else in order to obtain I'M
portant concessions and The recognition OF the
principle Of nationality, he should give his
adhesion to the return Of the Archdukes.
Common sense, therefore traced out his line
of conduct, for it was by no means contem-
plated TO bring hack the Archdukes with the
assistance Of foreign troops, but on the con-
trary to effect their return, with serious guar
antp,s s, by the free will of the people, who
would be made to undersl and how much that
restoration was the interest of the great Ital
Ian country.
Such. in a few words, is the real explana-
ton of the negotiation OF Villafranca; and
to every impartial mind it is evident that
the Emperor Napoleon obtained by the treaty
Of peace much, and perhaps more, than be
achieved by arms. 1t must even he admit
ted that il was not without feeling of deep
sympathy that the Emperor Napoleon saw
with what ( ankness and resolution the En-
peror Francis Joseph renowned, for the
- - IT,. and from Il
sire to re-esl ablisb good relations with France,
not only one of bis finest Provinces, but al,O
the policy, dangerous perhaps, but not de-
void of glory, which had secured to Austria
the domination which she exercised over
IIaly.
Ia iact il the treaty were sincerely execu-
ted, Austria would he no longer tor the
Italian peninsula that hostile and formidable
power, thw ariing all national aspirations
from Parma 10 Rome and from Florence to
Naples, but, on the contrary, she became
friendly power. since she consented willingly
not to be any longer German power on
this side of the Alps, and to herself develop
Italian nationality to the shores of the Adri-
alic.
From what precedes, it is easy to compIe-
bend that If. alter the peace, the destinies Of
Italy had been confided To men more anXiOut
aboat the future of the common country
their efforts would have been to develop and
not To thwart the cons, quences of the trea,<:
of VillafIanca. What could be more simple
and more patriotic, in fact than to say to
Austria lyon wish to see the Archdukes
return! Well, be il so; but then execute
faithfully your promises concerning Venetia;
let her receive life of her own; let her
have an Italian army and an Italian admin
isIrltion, in a word let the Emperor of Aus
n of Ing hon
The Great Duke oil Venetia; as the King of
Netherlands is for Germany merely the
Grand Duke Luxembourg"
IL Ii possible even that 10y means of frank
aud friendly negotiations, the Emperor of
Austria might have been induced To adopt
combinations more in accord with the desires
manifested by the Duchies of Modena aud
Parma.
The Emperor Napoleon, after what has
passed, had right 10 r. exon on the good
sense aud patriotism Of Italy. and To believe
that she would understand he handspring of
his policy, which may be resumed in these
words:
INSTEAD Of risking European war, aud
consequently the independence OF his country
Instead oi again expendng 800, OO0. 900 and
shedding the bood OF $4,000 OF his soldiers,
the Emperor Napoleon has accepted II peace
which sanctions, tor the tirst time for many
centuries, the nationality OF the Italian
prnintu la Piedmont, which more particular
ly represents the cause OF Italy, finds her
power considerably increased. and if the
Confederation is established, will play the
| chief part in il; but one only cond ton is
| imposed for all these advantages. aud that is
The restoration OF the old sovereign house to
| their States"
That language, we still believe, will be
understood by the wcll-tbinking part of the
nation; otherwise what will happen? The
French Governmc has already st ated it: the
Archdukes will not he brought back to their
States by foreign Intervention, but a part
| OF the conditions of the peace OF Villairanca
not being executed the Emperor OF Austria
| will be thereby liberated from all engage
meuis in favor of Venetia. Disquieted by
| hostile demon, trations on the right bank oi
| the Pc, he will keep his tirces on war loot
ing ON the lett bank, and instead OF policy
| uf CANCELLATION and peace, there will be seen
| to revive u spirit of misirust aud hatred
which will leak TO fresh troubles and fresh
disasters.
Some persons appear to hope much from a
| European Congrrs>; we are most anxious
that Que should meet, but we greatly doubt
| that Congress eau obtain any better con-
dilions FIR Italy. A Congress can only de-
mand what Is just, and would it be just Ia
| require Important concessions from great
| Power without Offering some fair comprnra-
| ton in returnf War would be the only
means; but let Italy not deceive herself;
there il but one Power In Europe that make:
war for an ,dea; that Power is France, and
| France has .ccImplisi Q her task.