Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-05-19
The italian Question,


In 1878, on the division of the spoils after
the bAnishmcnt Of tho Great Napoleon, it was
not deemed safe by the Holy Alliance that any
one of its members should possess Italy, as it
would give any power leo much consequence
and position on the Continent Accordingly,
Italy was cut up into petty Kingdoms, with in
dependent nationalities. The old King of Ma
Piles had the Southern portion of the Peninsula
assigned to him, 10 the Pope was given TEN,
poral authority over The central portion Tus-
cany fell to an Austrian prince, Sardinia was
given TO the Hohse of Savoy, and Lombardo-
Veneria to the House of Hapsburg, The
smaller States of Parma and Modena upon the
northeast Of Sardinia, were ruled by princes of
Austrian extraction. From that partition until
the present time it has continually been evident
that Austria was striving to gain complete att
thority through thewhole of Italy, Attempts
on the part of the people of Naples to be ruled
by a constitution and laws, have been promptly
stopped by Austrian armies. She has insisted
on her right TO occupy with her troops the
States of the Pope, She has acquired right,
by treaties, to take armed possession Of Parma
and Modena. She has advanced step by step
with her subtle policy, till she has come, prac-
tically, to occupy and control the whole PENN
sula except the little Kingdom Of Sardinia
Here she has met barrier to her encroachments
In the free spirit of the people, Her arrogant
attempts to control and direct the policy of
Sardinia have been constantly and spiritedly
resisted by Victor Emmanuel, till Austria he
coming more open and insolent, Sardinia las
taken up arms and by an alliance with Napo-
leon Ill, has hopc of throwing off the Austrian
despotlsm,
And this alliance Of Sardinia with France,
was made doubly strong by the marriage of
Prince Napoleon with the Princess Clotilde the
daughter of the Sandman King 10 use the
expressive language of Prince Napoleon, g in
evil fortune or in good the two Nations were
now united, as well as the dynastics." The
'casus belH, ostensibly, is the determination of
Sardinia to be entirely independent Of Austria,
lin which determination she Las the active
cooperation Of France, and ought to have the
sympathy of the world while Francis Joseph
is equally determined that she shall not escape
from her guardianship, --for which determine
ton he should he execrated by liberty loving
men everywhere There is further danger to
Austria, however, in this position of Sardinia.
If the struggle of the people in this part of
Italy for free institutions and a government of
Constitution and laws, should be successful
every italian State would, beyond question: do
just as Tuscany has so recently done, drive ont
from their borders the rulers placed over them
by the House Of HaTsburg, and elect what
King they will serve This would humble tho
Emperor at Vienna, and very much diminish
his consequence as power on the Continent ;
and this immense warliko preparation is to
enable him to keep his foot-hold in Italy,
Whatever may be the ultimate designs of Ma
poleon Iii, he claims to be only anxious that
the Italian States should be as they were left
by the Treaty of 1915, distinct and independ-
ent powers 1t will be time enough to condemn
him when he shall prove false to the positions
he now assumes. At any rate, it cannot be
worse for poor Italy to be under the Emperor of
France than under the Emperor of Austria.
And in this last precipitate move Of Austria
she stands quite alone. England condemns her
or it, and the whole tone of the British Press
seems almost instantly to have changed from
strong condemnation of Napoleon, to still
stronger denunciatien of Francis Joseph. The
sympathy of the English Press is decidedly with
France and Sardinia.
The Russo-French alliance bodies no good to
Austria. 1t is certain that the Gar has con-
cluded treaty with the Emperor, though .he
exact terms of it had not TRANSFERRED. The Lon
don Times asserted that it bound Russia to as
lst France against Austria. But the London
Daily NeUs is equally confident that the Car
only binds himself to stand by and see that no
other European Nation interferes, while France
fights for Sardinia against Austria. 1t makes
but little difference which is the true reading.
That any alliance has taken place between
France and Russia, is at the present moment
ominous to Austria
Prussia in moving upon the Rhine with
$50 thousand troops, had in view evident
ly an armed neutrality, rather than aid
and countenance to Francis Joseph. She was
not consulted relative to the ultimatum sent b,
Count Buol to Sardinia, and like England
though perhaps not SO pointedly and emphati
cally, condemned the course pursued by Aus
tria. The Prussian policy seems to be not s,
much assistance to Austria as to be in u condi
ton to preserve the integrity of the German
States
Austria seems now to be standing alone will
the Continent in arms. 1t is useless to specu
late on what will be the next news from th
war. We shall soon have information wortI
more than any prophecy.
Since the above was in type we have received
further news by the steamers which arrived a
New York last Sunday evening. The war ha
actually begun, and an engagement between
portions of the Austrian and Sandman force
had taken place. TWAS not a general engage
Inent, but was sharply contested. The polio
of the Sardinans--and it is no doubt their tru
policy--s to impede as much as possible the ad
vance of the Austrian army, without risking
general engagement, and thus gain time, an
time just now is their most useful ally. |