Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-05-14
rhs European Compllca,,on.

The hostilities now imminent on the conti-
nent of Europe, are but a new phase and
development of the conflict, long standing and
never settled except to be speedily renewed,
between three strong political tendencies re-
gardng the beautiful but Inflated peninsula
Of Italy All the Italian States, large and
small, are more or less involved in the quarrel.
The north of Italy. however, has at all
times been, and doubtless always will be,
the principal field of the active hostilities,
which are to determine the condition and
destiny of the whole. 1t is here that at
present this old antagOnism has again broken
out Into open collision, under circumstances
that promise the most earnest struggle ever
vet seen there, and the ultimate embodiment
of all Europe.
These three political powers striving for
the mastery, are, first, the depressed but un-
subdued spirit of independent nationality
and self-government among the people of
Italy; second, the foreign and hated domin-
ion of Austria, openly exercised over Lomhar
DIV and Venice, and coverty yet rgidly
maintained over n large portion OF the re-
mainder of the Peninsula; and third, the
counteracting influence of France, either at
work to gain for herself the power now ex-
erted by Austria, or else, as claimed, acting
in the character of a champion OF Italian
nationality and independence. In order to a
probable purposes Of the present hostile
movements, it will be necessary to consider
somewhat more in detail, the relations of
each of these elements TO the present contest.
l. Italy, though divided into many politi-
cal segments, and subjected to various kinds
OF authority and oppression. rule and misrule,
has yet population speaking the same Ian
guage, predominently of the same race, and
inspired, to great extent, In every part OF
the Peninsula, with a common longing Tor
an independent nationality. The yoke Of
foreign influence is irksome. The faith in u
better destiny is strong among AN important
class of the people, however degraded or
hopeless n large portion may seem to be.
Since the memorable campaign OF Napoleon
in Northern Italy, in 1895, and the many
wears of a more beneicent rule for which that
prepared the way, these higher aspirations
have become stronger and more general.
They broke forth into open revolt against
Austria in 1913, despite the comparatively
lenient authority exercised by that empire
during the thirty years preceding. a Re-
public was proclaimed at Rome. Sardinia be-
slowed a greatly improved constitution upon
her people, which satisfied their political as
pirants. Even King Bomba promised his
subjects constitutional liberty. Throughout
| the entire Peninsula, the spirit OF indepen-
denee was thoroughly awakened. The ultl-
mate defeat of the patriots, aud the reaction
ary movements winch follow ed, rs a conse-
ouence everywhere but in Sardinia, have
| deeply emhiItered the popular mind, but on
| ly postponed its hopes, kept constantly
alive by the seyerities the people oil Italy
| have suffered during the last ten years. The
prosperous example OF Sardinia has done a
work no less effsctiye than the expressions o.
| Austria.
| Northern Italy comprises, on the west, tbs
| Kingdom OF Sardinia, enjoying political IN
situations second Ia none Ia Europe, rs u
/ constitutional freedom, unless Great Britain
and having prosperous and progressive
/ people, iavorabiy indicating what Italy u
capable Of becoming, under an independent
| aud Tree government. East, aud SEPARATED
| from Sardinia by the river TlGino, FSbicl
comes down from the Alps, and eaters la
river Po at right angles, are the Austrian dc
pendencies OF LombaIdy aud Venice, bound
| ed on the south By the Pc, on the east by IN
Adriatle sea. and : portion OF Austria, al
extending inso the Tyrol region, and anon
the Austrian Alps GA the north. sardinI
has . population exceeding i've mlllionl
Lombasdy aud Venice not TAR from slx mil
lions. Central Italy contains, south OF San
DINA, ON the Aeditsrranean coast. the Ouch
Of Tuscany, ander predominant Austrian ID
duenee-populasion ia l656. l.zs5.s6Ii ca
, smaller Duehies Of Parma, Modena, &c
(haEing close league vifa austria; on 81
!. other SIDE u The Peninsula, south OF Lon
hardy aud Venice, with about Que million II
h2bllanls; and the PsPal States snd depes