The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-05-12

But the most bloody despetism of all is that
of Naples, which embraces southern Italy and
the Island of Sicily. Thousands of the best men
in. the Kingdom have been imprisoned in the
dungeons of the capital for the crime of breath
ing an aspiration for liberty, or, in many in
stances, for being suspected of that high offence
No such tyranny as that practiced BY the Nea-
politan Government had been heard of in
Southern Europe for centuries, if we except the
brief reign of terror in France, during the revo-
luton.
The overthrow of these base and despicable
tyrannies in Central and Southern Italy cannot
fail to result in good. 1t is believed that Murat,
whose mother was sister of the great Napo-
leon, and whose father was appointed King Of
Naples by that great conqueror, is ambitious of
regaining the Kingdom. He will be sustained
by his cousin Louis Napoleon in this enterprise,
as well for the sake of making Naples a depend
ency of France, as with view to the elevation
of his own family at the expense of the Bour-
bons. Any change will be for the better, but we
should prefer seeing the whole of Italy united
under one Government; and the next best thing
would be union with Sardinia. With such an
addition of territory, Sardinia would at once
take rank as irst-rate Power in Europe, with
twenty odd millions of inhabitants 1t is now
the most liberal Government on the continent,
with wise and liberal King, and at once the
most able and liberal statesman in Europe,
Count Cavour, at the head of affairs. Uuder
such auspices, Italy would be regenerated and
rejuvenated. The lethargy of despotism would
be cast aside, and the aspirations of her people
for liberty and progress would be crowned with
fruition.
England has no special interest in the CONT
rental embodiment, and the people sympathize
with the enc side or the other according to their
partisan afinities with the liberal cause or with
lespotism. The present Tory Government is
for maintaining the existing state of things. 1t
cannot think of undoing the work Of its Tory
predecessors at the conclusion of the war of
| 1915. In other words, it is anxious to see Aus
tria retain its foothold in Italy. The conserva-
tive opposition, we believe, comedies to GER
tain extent with the Government on this point
while the people of England, true to their in
stinctive love of freedom, give their sympathes
to Sardinia and the Italians. This question of
preference for Austrian despotism or Italian
freedom may be leading issue in. the ap-
preaching Parliamentary elections. In any
event, England will prepare for the. contingen-
ey of war, but will probably observe an armed
neutrality.
The question naturally arises, how will Eu-
opean war affect the material welfare Of the
= nted States We are entirely without the
@ale of European entanglements; and whatever
ay be the sympathies of our people, we can
It, under any supposable circumstances, be
Induced to take part in the wars of the other
hemisphere. Such course would be a depart
ure from our wellsettled policy, and it would
be the extreme of folly to adopt it. But we
shall nevertheless have deep personal con-
Germ in war which must SO materially affect
the markets of the world.
A maritime war would throw great obstacles
IN the way of trade. Such would be war be-
tween England and France. But purely
continental war will leave our best customers
England and France, at perfect liberty to pur
case our products, without hindrance and il
g not improbable that by the interruption to
production and trade on the Continent, a
greatly enhanced demand for American grain
and provisions, to supply the French and Sar
dinian armies, may take place. We believe
that universal peace is the best for all nations
.--'--'..-- '.'~.rv,p rruy ne penented by war; and
it seems not improbable that the grain and pro
vision producing sections Of our country will
reap temporary advantage from European
conflict. But no good man will welcome war
with all its horrors to another people, for the
profit it may bring to our own