The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-29
NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1859

D..
foreign aid and alliances, and that no changes in
Italy could be permanently advantageous, ex-
cept such as were supported or acquiesced in by
one or more Of the leading Powers.
1t is this advice which seems to form the basis
of the plan acted upon by the men who are at
the head of the present movement. Although
they cannot altogether succeed in depressing the
ebullitions of discomfort and impotence which
are manifesting themselves simultaneously at
different points, they yet contrive to prevent
them assuming a gravity which would have the
effect of precipitating events. They everywhere
tell their adherents that if they will only wait
till the spring, they will have, instead of small
revolution, great war. The assurance re-
ceves substantial confirmation from the
gratuitous insult offered at public reception
to the Austrian Minister by Louis Napoleon and
which can bear no other Interpretation than that
of hostile Intervention in Italy. Piedmont
has, as it is well known, been long making her
preparations for this event; and the moment that
French army crosses the Adige, it is probable
that Lombardy will be overrun with Sandman
troops. The summons sent to Garibaldi from
Turin and the questions put to him on the sub
ject of a militia organization, sufficiently indi-
cate the strategic direction intended TO be given
to the campaign
Some of the English journals console them
selves with the belief that if France be really in
earnest in this project, its results will be confined
to Italy. We cannot coincide in this view.
Once the flames of war are lighted on the Cont
nent, it will be impossible to fix the limits to
which they will extend. Take the case of Ma
pies for example Vindictive as Russia must
feel towards Austria, and grati6ed as she
no doubt will be to see her punished
by the loss of her Italian territories
it is certain that she will never con-
sent to the expulsion Of King Bomba Or, in
! deed to any torcible interference with his
political system. Whilst most Of the other Eu-
ropean Powers were arrayed against Russia on
the questions which led to the Crimean war, it
will be recollected that King Ferdinand alone
openly sympathized with her. Should, there
fore, the protectorate which France threatens
to extend over Italy embrace Naples in its
scope, it is more than probable that Alexander
will repay his fathers debt Of gratitude by
coming to his aid. We merely instance this as
one Of the many eventualities arising out of this
Italian question, which render it impossible, even
for those who have given the impulse to the
movement, to fix the precise bounds to which it
may carry them.
To those therefore, who ridicule the idea of a
general war growing out Of this Franco-Italian
movement, we would say, be not too strong in
your incredulity. From how much less important
causes have equally deplorable results flowed!
The upheavings of despot and priest ridden ma
tionality are surely not less powerful grounds
for such anticipations than fancied aggression
upon territorial rights or an apprehended dis
turbance ofthe provisions Of some useless treaty.
We repeat that the present indications in
Italy are of a character to justify the anxiety
and uneasiness which pervade the financial
world abroad. For us the only result will be to
facilitate the removal of the obstacles which lie
| in the way Of the great projects which are now
occupying the public mind of this country, and
more particularly Of the acquisition Of Cuba.
Much as we may regret the misery and distress
to which European war will for a time give
rise, we cannot but feel that they will be largely
compensated for by the impulse that it will give
to republican institutions, both in the Old
World and in the New.