The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-11-09

great noise, that freedom had been highly
conducive to the revival Of religious spirit.
Nor need we for the confirmation of this
truth go far abroad for arguments. We
only need look at home. I do not hesitate
to affirm, gentlemen, that the free Govern
ment established in these Sub-Alpine coun-
tries for the last twelve years is greatly ia
vorable for the development of religious
feeling. I think 1 have the right to declare
that there is at the present day more lively
and sincere religion in Piedmont than there
was twelve years ago. {" True, true. y
The clergy may have less privileges, the
monks may have diminished in number, but
true religion has more control over the
minds and souls Of our people than at the
time when, by f1atteriDg certain hierarchy
Of the clergy, and the bypocritical practice
Of going to church led men to public Offices
and honors. (Applause) Those among
you who do not belong to this party Of Italy
may upon quitting this hall recognize the
truth of my assertions. You may have the
confirmation from all the venerable pastors
Of this capital, although this diocese had not
an enlightened prelate at its head, as befell
to the lot of other cities, where the bishops
we'll knew how to reconcile the precepts of
freedom with the canons Of religion. ZAP
plause) When this opinion shall gener-
ally prevail, as it soon will, (since the con-
duct of our army, the behavior of our high
souled sovereign will have tendency to
confirm it,) when it shall take root in the
minds Of other nations, in the heart of mod
ern societies, we feel assured that the great
majority of enlightened and sincere Catho>
lies will acknowled. e that the august Pom.
tiff who is at the head of our religion may
exercise his Office in far more free and in
dependent manner if he be guarded by the
love and affection of $4,000 of Italians than
defended by $4,000 foreign bayonets. Zap.
plause.)
THE QUESTION OF VENICE.
Proceed to Venetia. Profound silence.
However deep our affection may be to this
illustrious martyr, we must acknowledge that
it would be impossible at this present mo-
ment to declare war with Austria. Impos-
sible, because we are not organized; impos-
sible, because Europe is against it. know
that this argument will not be admitted by
those orators who think little attention
should be paid to the opposition of other
Powers. Yet, gentlemen, l think must
discard this opinion, and observe that the
disregard of the opposition of great nations
has always proved fatal to sovereigns and to
people. We have had instances of tremen-
dous catastrophes arising from this want of
respect to the feelings of other nations. At
the opening of the present century the most
famous warrior of modern times disregarded
the opinions of the people of Europe, and,
Notwithstanding his extraordinary genius
and his infinite resources, he fell after few
days reign-fell miserably, never to rise
again, under the combined efforts of Europe.
In times nearer to US another Emperor, who
also reckoned his soldiers by hundreds of
| Observation-Disclosures In valOr to no other
soldiers-this Emperor would not listen to
the remoDstrances of other Powers, and
thought be could at his own pleasure settle
his differences with the Ottoman Power.
Well, this great potentate had soon to re-
pent-bitterly to repent-hs little estima.
ton of the interests and opinions of Europe.
We might we'll fear that the same and worse
might happen to US, if, trusting our right
and our means only, we should pay no at
tention to the advice and suggestions of
Europe. But, gentlemen, we are asked,
how, then, will you solve the Venetian ques-
ton? In q very simple manner, by chang
ing the opinion of Europe. But how? The
opinion of Europe will change, because the
opposition we now meet exists not only in
the Governments, but, we must avow it, al
so in q great part of the population, even
liberal, of Europe. The opposition to
the enterprise of the liberation of
| Venice arises from two causes the
| first is the doubt Europe entertains
OF our ability to constitute ourselves into
strong and independent nation it lies in its
ignorance of the means of which we may
dispose, in its convictian that we are unable
alone to accomplish go great an under.
taking. This opinion it is for US to rectify;
let us organize ourselves let us show that
no fatal germ of discord and dissolution ex-
lists among us; let US constitute strong
State, which may not only muster up for
midable army and considerable navy, but
which may rest on the unanimous. consent
of the people then will European opinion
be modified, and light will shine on these
European Libraries who are perplexed and
reluctant as to the possibility OF emancipat
ing that unhappy and noble province of
Italy. There dwels also in the minds of
some people the motion that it is still posi-
BILE to reconcile the people of that province
to the Austrian domination This idea is,
however, wanting 10 fact Venetia cannot
be reconciled with the Austrian Empire
No concession, no favor, no possible arrang-
ment, can induce the Venetans to give up
those aspirations which urge them towards
the great Italian family. If this was true
in past times, how much more true will it be
10 the future? Since the moral world, gen.
tlemen, is subject to laws analogous to those
OF the physical world, attraction is proper.
tionate to the mass. The stronger and
more compact Italy becomes, the greater,
the more powerful and Irresistible will be
the attraction it exercises upon Venice.
Prolonged applause.] For the rest, gen.
tlemeD, this fact has been acknowledged by
the Government itself at Vienna. At Vii
lafraDca the Emperor of Austria, I doubt
not, had sincere wish to introduce into
Venetia cOnciIiatOry system, to endeavor