Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-04-10
The Working OF the Annexation Schemes
In EurODe.

|
Tho Working OF the Annexation Schemes
III Europe.
The italo-European question: as it is now
agreed upon to call it, is still uppermost in po-
litical circles in Europe, and uppermost also is
the Savoy question in the British Parliament.
1t could not be otherwise. Old as they are
now, these questions have neverthelessrevived
and borrowed fresh interest from the very
fact that they are drawing near their end, or,
to speak more appropriately, they are getting
nearer the point from whence new move will
be made. The events already past, and those
in preparation for the future, arc so strictly
concatenated that they have only that kind OF
individuality which belongs to the links of &
chain. As fur as depends on the vote of the
population, the fate Of Central Italy is now de-
cded. The result is the same in all four pro-
vinces of Tuscany, Parma, Modena and the Ro-
magma These votes take no more account of
the al,ci.ns S.sc.t!.as. whose rights are now
forfeited, thln of the scheme which has lately
been put forward by the Emperor Of the French.
The combined efforts of Austria, of the Dukes,
of the Pope, and Of France have proved un-
avaing There will be 10 separate kingdom,
unuer French, or Austriap, or Papal influence;
no return to the former ,lesnlate and cursed
state OF things; no inclination for another trial
on mtigatcd terms; but annexation, union,
fusion under the rule Of one single king, Vic
tor Emanuel
Let us look at the election returns. The
Ronagna, which goes ahead while Plus lS and
Napoleon III vainly try to come to an under
standing OH her account, and manages her bust
ness us il she had disentangled herself for ages
| from the meshes of Cardinal Antonell and, as
if she was to continue for ages out Of his reach,
comes out with o00,G59 for annexation. \
few hundreds (244 all told) pronounce for
separate Kingdom. Modena and Parma express
the same wish for annexation to Piedmont, with
respective numbers Of ID, ,62l and S3,5ll.-
| And Tuscany does the same thing with 340, 900
votes against $1,000 for separate Kingdom.
| As the matter rests, We understand the vote
for separate Kingdom to be one of opposition
from the friends of the ancient rulers. Here,
then we have what comes to the theory Of
Lord Normandy on the true state OF public
opinion in Tuscany. Nobody. we eXpect--not
even the obdurate old iogy just name,l--will,
deny the sincerity Of the vote, and the cha
racter of moderation with which all the pro-
ceedngs were carried on. There is no denying
it-a new nation is now in the course of forna.
ton in Europe, and that new nation is, never
theless, the oldest therein.
Why should We be surprised at Victor Eman-
uers readiness to give up his cradle and home? !?
The phenomena Of the double annexation Of
"Piedmont to Central Italy Qor such we think
is the true name for it, and Of the annexation
of Savoy to France are something more than
casual occurrence. They are the proof and
ratio of each other and the natural significance
Of the wishes expressed by those Provinces on
| both sides Of the Alps, cannot escape an i'm
partial observer. Victor and Louis are tie
two lucky boys 10 whom the boon falls TIE
pear drops ripe in their own ready hands,
But they did not plant the tree; all they did TO
contribute to the production of the savory
fruit was to lop off that branch whose shade
was injurious Tell Victor Emanuel that he is
forsaking his home, and he will laug n at you. He
is not duke, he is king; he is not of Savoy,
he is of Italy One nail drives another. The
Italian element sets in, the French element
goes out, agreeably to every one. The Ss-
voyians look with complacency on revival of
the Italian spirit and nationality which paves
the way to their own nationality. The Italians
view with delight the departure Of u province
which leaves them at home and homogeneous in
their new kingdom.
Such is the basis Of the success Of the policy
of Napoleon and Count Cavour. This is no
reason, however, why it should meet with an
equal favor in the British Parliament, especial
ly among the Tories, and, with respect to the
annexation of Savoy, to France. That topic
thrust itself into the debates on various occa-
sions. The honorable members have devoted
a good deal of time not only i'll discussing it,
but also in determining when it should bc dis
cussed. It appears that the Government, and
with it the majority of the House, have made
ND their minds, and will allow the annexation
to take place, without either advocating its ex.
pediency or entering loud protest against it
keeping aloof at an equal distance from NJ Thon-
yenel and NJ. Kinglakes opposite standing point.
NJ. Kinglake seemed desirous Of connecting the
commercial treaty with the annexation ct Savoy.
The upshot of his insinuation not being any
thing else than that the French Government
bought English countenance by commercial
concessions-a accusation which is true, but
onlv 10 that extent that, what we DO to lngra-
tate ourselves with friend, propitates the
came TO our own interests, within certain Inn
it's It is not in the power of NJ. kinglake, Sir
Robert Peel, and Mr.. Roebuck, to reverse 'hoSe
laws Of all human intercourse. Inc true
aim of the opposition was more frankly aVo"
ed. with the notice Of u formidable motion
from NJ. kinguke expressing deep concern
at the news, and suggesting that the Govern
ment should invite the parties to the treaties
of 1915, to Join in IN endeavor 10 acieat tre
| project That suggestion was advocated hy
| Lord Peterborough in the Upper lio,'se. h'lt
are those worthy conservatives at all aware "i
wbat this would mean? Nothing but war, we
guess. The proposal is what the Duke Of New
castle, in reply to Lord Ellsnboroug; h. cor
rectly described as counter alliance Throw
inr SAVOY and Nice into the chancery Of war,
wepld w not he a course Of proceeding much un-
like that of throwing ones self headlong int"
| river for fear Of shower
Yet the policy Of the Opposition, powerIcss
| and obsolete as it is, does more than show It's
own unseasonabeness. There was a time when
sucl, members as these antiquated politicians
who think of reviving the Pitt unrelenting pol
icy, would have been deemed the truest sons
Of England. 1t is, therefore, quite sign OF the
times, that the settlement of political questions,
| not excepting those OF territorial aggrandlze-