The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-05-18


little more acumen (and they say much
less principled saw that single-handed,or
only supported by the malcontent subjects
of the Italian States over which the Aus
trians held sway per Sc, or by influence,
he could never hope to drive the latter out
of Italy, watched sedulously for an occa-
sion to render service to France and Eng
land, and thus oblige them in some sort to
become his friends, France above all.)
By succeeding in imposing upon them
the strong ties of Obligation" he would
(be convinced himself) be entitled to claim
their sympathy and support in any emer-
gency III which he might demand their
reciprocal aid, fully resolved that no such
necessity should be wanting.
The opportunity for carrying out the
well matured speculation for which he
thus yearned, presented itself in the Cri
mean war, with an adventitious accom-
paniment, Of which shall speak presently
and for which he could not have hoped
and, into that War he plunged, or rather
entered unlimited, without the shadow Of
a reason. What was Hecuba to him or
he to Hecuba, that he should fight for
her ?' He did it however at great cost
of Men and Money-(for his little means)
and with very great credit and as men
in difficulties in private life would do, his
assistance was accepted by the allies and
the War over, he repaired to Paris and
London to demand prospective quld pro
quo--in plain English, payment for his
cooperation.
Those Powers might, it is true reply
as shabby men would do, of the ordinary
class. eve did not ask your help. 1t
was spontaneous gift or perhaps the in
diligence Of your own spirit of pugnacity.
We tolerated rather than accepted the
brilliant services of your truly gallant
little army and owe you nothing, for we
have thanked you.
England and France did not answer in
these terms, because of their own sense of
honor, dignity and common honesty for
the willy Victor Enamel under the guild
ance Of his very clever Minister Cavour
rendered such mode OF compensation i'm
possible by reminding them of the adven-
titious circumstance above alluded to, and
which he used effectively with both barrels
securing both birds. French and English
acknowledgement of their debt of gratitude
to him, and bringing down Austria by re-
newing French and British indignation at
her shufling and hesitation, and in fact
refusal to aid them at the very moment
when he, Victor Emanuel, SO chivarous-
ly (D rushed to their assistance. ~"
said he, q" like your British bulldog flew
at your enemy, while Austria like full
fed mastiff marched and counter-marched
and growled and (as does a horse in
milD walked found and round her own
premises and expended all her care and
vigilance in protecting her own property"
This was coup de Maitre in diplo-
macy, and was peculiarly acceptable to
France, who has an old grudge to Austria
ever since her powerful cooperation under
Schwartzenberg in the invasion of her
sacred soil in 1914, after her Infamous
detection from Napoleon in 1918. The
present ruler of France, who idolizes the
memory of his great predecessor-who
forms himself upon his model-who paro-
dies all his acts, and who accepts as dog
mas all his aphorsms-hates profoundly
all who betrayed Or abandoned his immor-
tai uncle in his hour of need. Moreover,
he on great political grounds views the
presence of Austria in the Italian States
with something like adherence, and if
truth must be told, with envy and jealousy,
for His Majesty is suspected OF leetle
craving Of that which the first Napoleon
called his Kingdom of Italy" He
hearkened therefore with avidity and " ad-
hesion" to the claim of Victor Emanuel
and in the present situation of affairs you
have the proof and result.
Not exactly so did England, however,
who had neither the resentments to in
dulge, the vengence to satisfy, nor the ap-
elite to crafty which l have ascribed to
the Emperor of the French She saw in
the representations of Victor Emmanuel
much lamentable truth, she admitted that
Italy needed reform, and that Austria was
an interloper in the Italian Peninsula,
whose presence excited indignation, and
, whose rule there was detestable but she
also comprehended the interested views OF
the King of Sardinia, and (:or she is su.
perior to law or trivial considerations, al
though herself he obnoxious 10 a charge Of