The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-05-31
Austrian Rule in Italy-Opinion Of One
who Knows.

The editor of the Post-W e. Bryant
has for the last two years or more, been in
Europe, . considerable part of the time in
Italy. He is clear-sighted, sagacious and
experienced traveller, and could not be de-
ceived in regard to the present condition OF
the Italian people, and he 10 incapable Of
wilfuliy giving currency to an untruth. In
the Post of Wednesday last, We find an ar
ticle cambating certain notions Of the Eng
lish Press. in which the condition OF the
Italians under Austrian elimination is de-
ecribed, We quote:
The English press warns the Italians that
French successes in Italy may destroy the
balance Of power in Europe, and lead to the
establishment Of an overshadowing military
despotism on both sides of the Alps, 1t as
sures them that it ia folly to suppose that he
who 50 ruthlessly destroys free institutions
in his own country is likely to establish
them in Italy We admit that it does not
seem probable that he will do so We admit
that his antecedents are everywhere calcula.
ted to inspire distrust of his singleness of
purpose and purity ofintention. We know
he 10 no Washington We know that he does
not practically admit the capacity Of the
masses for any larger share in the work OF
government than the choice Of their despot
But we must not forget that the balance OF
power wears an aspect at Milan and Venice
very different from that which it wears at
London To have the forces which govern
Europe so nicely adjusted that none shall be
able TO overawe the other, may seem to peo-
pie whose liberties are secure, and who are
Jealous only Of their glory, the greatest aim
Of q statesman. When MAJ house is safe
from domiciliary visits, his back is safe from
the stick, his head from the sabre Of the
military bully, has son from service in fore.
ign army, bis person secure against spies
aud dangerous secret trials, his wife and
daughter from the jsilor's lash, his tongue
free to wsg and his pen to twaddle as much
as he pleases, it may ecem an awful thing that
Louis Napoleon should put the ,Murats on
the throne Of Naples, or make has son King
Of Rome. or subject the newspapers to the
censorship.
But it requires no great stretch Of imagi-
nation to believe that these terrible contin-
gencies sink into lamentsble insigniicance
in the eyes ofpeople whose common law is
Austrian martial law; who are daily liable
to rciaure and perpetual imprisonment or
castigation on the bare back, without ever
learning their accusation or the names Of
their accuser Dreadful as Louis Napoleons
regime may seem to "fyeeborn Englishmen,"
or Americans, to Lombards or Venetians it
would DO paradise itself, even if they were
certain Of falling under his yoke. There is
chance that still nobler fate awaits them,
but small blame to them if they embrace
even the certainty Of it in preference to their
present lot 1t would not secure them liber>
~ in its highest sense, or even in any sense
but it would secure them equal laws we'll
administered, . police. stringent certainly,
but not vexatious; it would exempt them
from cruel and degrading punishment it
would accord them trial BY jury, and in the
face Of day; il would open q career for their
sons, and give their trade and commerce
room to deveiOpe themselves. With all these,
We, it is true, should still suffer from name
less pain but every mans notion OF happi
ness is. in . great degree, dependent upon
what be has bsen used 70. 10 one who had
for years been obliged 70 submit to q kick
ing in the public street, the mere exemption
frop the infection would seem positive bliss,
though to one who had never undergone it, it
would seem no boon ct all ~
There are certain stages Of misery in
which any change y change fof the better,
and that stage Italy has PROFESSIONALLY
reached She might technically be estopped
from impugning the treaties Of 1915, il che
had had Q voice in their constructions, Or
had ever been consulted as 70 the disposition
which they made Of her. In settling her stat.
No ~ they did England. Austria and Prus-
sla consulted their own fear, aud not her
-olE.ro Thav ash of her now nrain tn
sacrifice her welfare to their fears, but recent
events show that nothing is farther from her
thoughts. The deliberate delivery Vt twenty
millions Of people to foul tyranny, in order
that 1.-The great Powers' might be saved .
possible rehcrsal Of French victories, was ~
black crime - ever Was perpetrated. Ono
generation Of noble people has already gone
down to the grave blasted BY its operation.
1t 10 for this reason that the Italian youth of
tine presentda will die sword in hand in
preference to living their fathers lives. The
agrsa4 Powestthass fsr ha3 . ssaturg left
then b their cate; they viii now leave the