Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-11-13
Proclamation OF King Victor Emanuel.

word to YOU, people Of Southern Italy, who,
having in my name, changed the State, send
me deputations OF every class OF citizens, ma
cistrates and representatives OF your municipal
bodies, asking to be restored to order, blessed
with freedom. and united with my kingdom.
will tell you by what thought am guided,
and what is my consciousness OF the duties
which man, placed by Providence OIL an TIA
Ian throne, ought to fulfil.
assembled the throne after great national
calamity My father gave me II lofty example
by abdicating the crown to save his own dlgnl
tv and the freedom Of his people. Charles
Albert fell, sword in hand, and died IN exile
His death associated more and more the dcSti
MICS of my family with those of the Italian
people, who for so many centuries have given
TO al foreign lands the bones of their cXIleS rs 4
pledge for restoring the inheritance of every ma
ton placed by God within the same boundaries
and Joined together by the bond Of common
language. educated myself by that exam
pc, and the memory Of my father was my
Guardian star. could never hesitate in my
choice between Il crown and the word hat
rivcn. strengthened freedom III an epoch
not very favorable to freedom, and wished
that. as i, developed itself, it should tnkc root
in the manners Of the people, for could
never hurbor any jealousy Of suspicion Of
what WAS dear to my people. Hy preserving
freedom in Piedmont, reliSionSy respected
the heritage which the prophetic mind Of my
august father had bcqucathed to all Italians.
By representative franchise, 10y popular cduca,
ton, by the freedom Vi trade and industry,
en,leay0red To increase the well.bclng Of my
people. wished that the Catholic religion
should be respected, but also that every man
should be free in the sanctuary OF his own colt
SCIENCE; and, By Strengthening civil authority,
openly resisted that obstinate and ScheninS
iactioa which boasts IL be the only friend and
guardian of the throne, but which aims 1T
ruling in the name Of kings, and placing be-
tween the sovereign and the people the barrier
Of its nlolcrant passions.
This system of government could not be
without elect on the lest of Italy. The CON
cord between the sovereign and the people
in the purpose of national independence and
of civil and political liberty, the parliamentary
tribune and the free press. and the army. which
had preserved its military traditions under the
.ri-color, raised Piedmont To the rank Of stand.
ard bearer and arIn Of Italy. The strength OF
my monarchy was not the result OF the arts ol
clandcstinc policy, but Of the open influence
of ideas and Of public opinion. was thus
enabled to maintain, in that part of the Italian
people which was united under my sceptre,
the notion OF = national leadership? (egemoHt")
whence was to sprln. the concordant harmony
of the severed provinces Of one single nation.
Italy was able to understand my conccp'
ton when she bchcld my soldiers sent into the
fields OF the Crimca beside the troops OF the
two great western powers. wished thereby
to acquire for Italy the right of particlpa'
ting in all acts concerning the interests OF E.u-
rope. At the Congress of Paris my anbasSa-
doris were able to speak for the first time to
Europe Of your suilerngS. 1t became clear to
I'LL men how the prcpOndcrancc OF Austria III
ltav was injurious to the balance Of power III
Europe and what dangers bcSct the lndcpen-
dcnce and freedom of Europe so long is the rest
Of the Peninsula was subject to foreign ini,n
cnCe.
Ny magnaniylo,iS ally, the Emperor Napoie.
on III, felt that the Italian cause was worthy
Of the great nation he rules y righteous war
nauguratcd the nrw dcstiarS ot our country.
The Italian soldiers fought uuDlr beside the un.
lcgions Of France. The volunteers,
from al Italian provinces, from nj!
Italian families, under the cross of Savoy,
,howcd that all Italy had invested ne with the
right Of speaking and lighting in her nalne.-
Policy put an end to the war, but not 10 its Ell
ectS, which went on with their development.
following the answering logic Of events and
Of popular movement.
Had been actuatci by that ambition whic!
$ ascribcd to my family by those who do not
consider the nature Of the times, could nave
Dccn satisfied with the acquisition ot Lombar-
IL; but had she'd the precious blood Of my |
soldiers not for myself, but for Italy. had
.alled the Italians To arms. Several Italian
provinces had changed their form Of govern
ncnl to join in the war Of Independence
var opposed by their princes. After the pence
If Eillairanca, those provinces asked my pro-
ccti on against the threatened restoration of
heir former governments. If the events OF
CENTRAL Italy were the consequence of the war
o which we had called the people, if the SyS-
en- Of foreign intervention was forever To be
,anished from Italy, had duty 10 recognise.
md to uphold the right Of those people legally
nd freely to utter their vote ! Withdrew my
government; they made an orderly government.
withdrew my troops they organized regular
orccS, anu, veing with each other in unanmi-
Y aud civil virtues, they rose TO So high a rep
ltation and strength, that nothing but the over
,earing violence Of foreign arms could have
ubducd them. Thanks 10 the wisdom Of the
CENTRAL Italian people, the monarchical idea
constantly gained strength, and monarchy gave
moral guidance TO that peaceful popular
movement. Thus did Italy rise in the cstina-
ion Of civilized nations, and it became clear
o all Europe that the Italians were iii for self
government.
When | accepted the annexation | knew
rhat European difficulties was about to meet;
nut could not break the word had given To
he Italians in my war proclamation. Those
rho would charge ne with inprudencc should
almly consider what would become OF Italy
n the day in which monarchy should appear
'owcrcss to satisfy the want Ql Il national re-
constitution. The annc%a;ion did not change
he substance Of the national movement, but
assumed new forms. BY accepting from the
popular right those fine and noble provinces, !
must Loyalty recognise the application of that
principle, nor could measure it by the rule Of
ny private feelings and interests. In support
+ that principle |, for the good Of Italy, made
he sacrifice which cost my heart the dearest;
renowned two most noble provinces Of the
ingdom Of my ancestors.
| have always given those Italian princes,
Who wished to he my enemies. sincere conn
els resolving, however, that If those coa:.>e!s
we're vain would meet the danger 10 which
heir blindneS, would have exposed the throne
y accepting the will of Italy. 1t WAS ia vain
hat offered to the Grand Duke (of Tuscany
liance before the war; in vain that, after the
,cacc, Offered the high pontitf, III whom
cnerate the head Of the religion Of IN: In
hers and Of ny people, 10 take Upon myself
he vicarship Of Umbria and the Marches. 1t
vas evident that ifthoSc provinces which were
MY restrained by the arms offoreisn hrelings,
lid not obtain the security Of that civilized
government which proposed, they would
ooner or later break out into revolution. Nci-
her will recall the counscS given for many
ears by the powers to King Ferdinand Of Ma
lies. The judgment which was pronounced
gainSt his government At the Paris Congress
naturally prepared the people for u change, il