Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-04-17

ana punctuallty. ..... N.
THAT the Emperor of the French should
undertake war for Italian liberty, was the
problem of the age. There certainly did not
seem to be vast surplus of liberty at home,
that he should go so largely into the export
trade. Indeed, the pestilent marshes Of
Cayenne bad hitherto furnished market for
all the liberty that could be spared for export,
except some small consignments to the En-
glish coast, which it rather troubled the En-
peror TO get off the hands of his British con-
signees; and one firm, known to the trade as
Palmerston & Co., was obliged to retire from
business, for having tried methods for work.
ing off these consignments, which were
thought irregular.
The perfect disinterestedness of the under
taking challenged the admiration of the
world and silenced all cavil. The Emperor dis
claimed, in advance, all acquisitions of terri
tory. If Satan, who at one time exhibited quite
genius for real estate operations, had offered
the Emperor the whole world, or the fattest
Italian Province, it would have excited his
disgust and indignation. The French God
Terminus could not be persuaded beyond his
ancient lines, even by kick upon the seat of
honor. All was to be done from pure love of
liberty and Italian nationality. Itseems like
a return of the romantic age when crusades
were undertaken to redeem holy places from
dissertation by the feet of unbelievers, and
when Knights went about relieving dis
tressed damsels, instead of adding to their
distresses, as modern Knights do, and sleep
ing under trees. Its philanthropy was with
out parallel in modern times, unless by those
shiploads of missionaries which are OCCASION
ally sent off to convert the heathen looking
for more worlds to conquer, after having re-
deemed every soul from Satan, at home, and
which Sunday-school children contribute
their cents to-a severe trial of youthful
faith, aud suggesting many misgivings
whether it is better invested than in candies
or nuts. .....
Our cotemporary, the Commercial could
not restrain its admiration, and its loftiest
ambition seemed to have eliminated in be-
coming the Cid Hamete Ben Engeli to this
French mirror of chivalry, and in grinding
its four cylinder to his praise.
How distinguished was the Emperor's
moderation" when he checked his victorious
troops in their triumphant progress, counter
marched like one of his predecessors, whose
campaign with forty thousand men has been
somewhat celebrated by the muses. retired
within the ancient boundaries of France.
leaving Italy free, independent national,
peaceful and happy, disbanded his troops and
reduced his army to peace establishment
OF half million or some such trihe, renewed
proclamation that ''the Empire is Peace"
showed his hands clear of all acquisitions,
called the world to admire his disinterested-
ness, and really seemed almost too good a
dispensation for this world.
Virtue is always its own reward, with
princes as with common people. How else
could this disinterested zeal for Italian in
dependence, and this determination that his
motives should not be made liable to suspi-
cion by the slightest acquisitions of territory.
have brought about the annexation of
great Italian province, occupying both
slopes of the Alps, to the French Empire
Who can object? To be sure, the Swiss alone
have protested; but that the French Min
lister says is piece of great ingratitude on
their part; and when such an intimation is
thrown out from the French Emperor. he
may be relied upon to make it felt in due
time.
But it is not conquest. No CORY Italian
locks can be shaken at him, to charge him
with war for conquest. Was it not for Ital-
ian iberty2 The rightful Prince of the pro-
vince ceded it. To be sure, he had conveyed
several provinces from Austria and the Pope.
to King Victor Emmanuel; but tkat was for
Italian liberty. He had guaranteed the in
tegrity of the papal dominions, but then the
people OF Romagna voted to be annexed to
Sardinia, and of course the popular voice is
supreme-a nice time governments will have
ifprovinces are to vote themselves wherever
they please, and as often as they please. The
people of Savoy did not vote to be annexed
to France, but their municipal officers ap-
piled; and what better evidence of loyalty to
the Emperor could be asked than that, es-
pecially when they were willing to accept of
flee from him., trg-ref tF
There is rule to fit every case, and the
coquetting between Napoleon and Cavour
and Victor Emmanuel, by which all this re-
ward of virtue has come about, is piece of
acting which, as the excellent Dame Quickly
would say, is "As like these harlotry PLAYERS
as ever | see" Henceforth acquisitions of
territory will be by the skillful use of coun-
ter irritants establishing running sore
somewhere on the outside. The principle of
natural boundaries is recognized-a very
convenient principle, which like ones skin,
expands with the national growth. Are
there any suffering nationalities? they have
only to apply to the French Emperor. No
fees takenl No wars for conquest All for
liberty and nationality And while the
world is admiring such generosity and disin-
terestedness, q fat province will be undergo
ing manipulation, like a pea, under the En-
peror's thumb and whether the cups are
labeled universal suffrage, or legitimate rces-
sion, or appeal for annexation, or integrity of
legitimate dominions guaranteed, the pea will
every time be found under the E,nperor's
thumb. -s.7a-f,r .~sTu
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