Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-05-17
THE CONFLICT IN EUROPE.

compliments his subjects on their devotion to
: the hereditary reigning family" He fights to
sustain the power of this family and he re-
cognizes no law in Europe save the treaties by
which its despotism is guaranteed. He repre-
sents all that's most arrogant in despotism and
most vicious in ultramontane priestcraft, and
therefore aims to be master of Italy. England
has talked in behalf of Italy the sympathy of
her people goes to that side; but those who
manage her affairs care for nothing but the
''balance of power" among the Govern
ments," or POWERS" these are the English
terms and they would not hesitate to cruc-
ify the people of any country, if this
"balance of power" should seem to require
it. The British monarchy IS limited but
there is nothing in Europe that works more
indefatgably against the spread of liberal in
situations, than the influence of the British
aristocracy, with the sovereign at its head.
Sardinia represents and fights for the regener-
alton of Italy. France goes into the contest
as an advedturer, who seeks popular favor, and
hopes to improve his circumstances, but i'm
PEELED by national enthusiasm in behalf of
the Italian people.
The actual war is between the principles
and tendencies represented by Austria on the
one hand, and Sardinia on the other And
there is one very significant circumstance
which deserves careful study. 1t is that the
ultramontane Catholic press, in every part of
the world, takes the Austrian side. The Paris
Uniuers goes that way as vehemently as
it dare. The UnioerS is the leading organ of
this school, 1t believes in the sternest and
most absolute despotism; and with this it
identifies Catholicism. In this country, Cath
Ole papers of the same school are unhesitating
in support of Austria such, for example, as
the Boston Pilot. The Pilot, which praises
the Uiiiuers, denounces 0. A. Brownson for
questioning the soundness of its politics, and
describes it as a sin in Montalembert to admire
a constitutional government like that of Eng
land the Pilot is, of course, the eulogist and
champion of Austria. 1t takes this side be-
cause it is devoted to the principles which the
Austrian dynasty represents.
The leading editorials in the Pilot are writ
present conflict in Europe signifies. He has a
clear intelligence of the questions involved,
and his own sympathies and opinions are very
emphatic. He believes in Austria and ultra
montana Popery, very earnestly; and he takes
that side as ardently as any devotee of Italian
freedom takes the other. 1t is proper to say,
however that the Catholics in this country do
not all belong to his school, Some time since,
heavy cannon was presented to Sardinia by
citizens of Boston. 1t is now mounted in the
fortress of Alessandria where it is likely to
have an opportunity to do good service. The
Pilot views this big gun with an evil eye
speaks of it in tones that growl, and hopes the
Austrians may take it speedily and cast it into
a church bell.
1t is not easy to predict the result of this
contest, or to say how much freedom and indie
pendent nationality Italy is likely to secure.
The free principles that now contend in that
country against Austrian despotsm, are not
recognized in diplomatic circles They have
no ENJOYS or Ministers Resident at the courts of
the different powers. Those coming republican
organizations that will hereafter change the face
of Europe, are at present quite unknown to
the Powers" There was talk of settling the
question concerning Italy in a Congress of the
leading dynasties but no one thought of al
lowing the republican spirit a representation in
that Congress that spirit which makes tyran-
ny turn pale and trembles while it tolls in the
gloom of despotism, tending eyermore to mix
itself with life and take form in free institu-
tons. They would not allow even Sardinia to
be represented in that Congress she was too
free for some and too small for others. And it
is therefore certain that they would not allow
representation of those great principles
against which Austria declares war.
Republicanism must not expect either favor
or fair play from a congress of despots. 1t
has nothing to hope from diplomacy. In the
last resort, the people must help themselves.
Nevertheless, something can be gained in this
contest; the expulsion of the Austrians from
Italy, if nothing more; and probably some
progress towards free governments for Lom-
hardy, and the rest of the Italian peninsula.
How much England might do for freedom in
Europe, if she would abandon that insane
dream of ca balance of power" and go cor.
daily with France for freedom in Italy Free.
dom in Hungary, and other nationalities,
would follow, and England would have new
and more assured political relations and sup
ports. Her prestige and power would be re-
newed, and she would no longer be haunted
by the fear of sinking to the comparative in
significance of second-rate power