The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-10

The Roman QuestSon-,The Congress.
From the advices received by the Novs
Scotian, there appears to be but little doub
OF the pending questions in regard to Italy
being decided by Congress. Whether thi.
body will include Sardinia, Naples and
Rome, as at first proposed, We have
no information. 1t Is not improbable
however, that In consequence of the angry
spirit in which the French project of settle
ment was met by the Pope, it will be deemed
advisable to exclude altogether the Italian
sovereignties. Unless the Pontif is put out Of
court, 1t is plain that an understanding cannot
be arrived at on the only basis Of arrangement
that is now possible. We are, therefore, In.
clined to regard the statement received, that
Russia and Prussia had Joined in proposal for
a conference Of the Ave great Powers, as con-
veying the suggestion of limitation Of the
constituent members of the new Congress.
Unless this plan be adopted, we really do
not see how peaceable settlement Of Italy is
to be effected. The obstinate perseverance of
the Roman Court in its assertions of q divine
right to the possession of its revolted pro-
vinces renders political arrangement with its
concurrence impossible. To leave the Italians
to settle the Papal question themselves
would be to insure the expulsion of the
Pope from Rome and the utter extinction
of Pontifcal institutions. All this must lead
to violence, perhaps to an internecine war
Of the most sanguinary character. The princi-
,1o If non. iukorvarf;nr hv <bo otbor Erc~~oo~
Powers carried out there remain elements
enough for fierce and bloody struggle The
Pope's army is being actively recruited with
German mercenaries, and the priests will no
doubt strain every effort to enlist the condotiieri
in his service. Promises of plumber and par
don are irresistible influences with such men,
and the majority Of them can be easily brought
to fight on the side of the church. Then the
King Of Naples has the strongest interest in
resisting the successful assertion Of the princi-
pie which frees the Romagna from the Ponti
fical rule. What is applicable there will be
equally applicable to his own dominions,
should the revolutionary element at any time
succeed in making head against him. There
is, therefore, a moral certainty that if the Ro.
man question is to be decided by the Italians
themselves, he will furnish, if not open, at least
secret, assistance to the Pope. OF course, the
struggle must terminate, as we have said, in
the defeat of the ecclesiastical party, and in the
complete humiliation of its influence In Italy
This is not the result that Louis Napoleon
has had in view. He desires to preserve to the
Pope all the consideration and state which
comport with his spiritual dignity as
head Of the church, whilst he would take
from him all those opportunities Of damaging
his position which are afforded by the political
power that he Yields. If he could have got
the Pontiff to concur in his well considered
plans, he would have effected a settlement of
this question that would have been satisfac-
tory to the world generally. Enlightened
Catholics would have been pleased to have re-
moved from their creed the reproach which
the political abuses of the Roman government
have brought upon it, and Professionals would
have cared little about the form of the arrange
ment provided 1t would have insured the re-
duction of the Papal power to harmless condi-
lions. This the Imperial plan developed in the
Laguerroniere pamphlet effected; but it has
been rendered impractieable by the obstinacy
of the Pope, although 1t was the only project
reconcilable with his interests
In such position of affairs, it is not surpris-
ing that the French Emperor should fall back
upon the alternative of a Congress. he would,
no doubt, have preferred, for the sake of Italy,
not being compelled to have recourse to it; but
where is the option left hims Averse to see
the Pontif driven out of Rome and stripped of
everything, he prefers throwing upon Con-
gress the responsibility of dealing with this
troublesome question, at the risk Of having his
other plans deranged. He will, however, enter
this body stronger than he would have done
had it met when it was first convened. The
success Of his commercial treaty with England
will insure him the general support of that
Power in his views, and there Is reason to be-
ieve that with Russia he has all along had an
understanding which guarantees him beforehand
her concurrence. As regards the general inte-
rests of Italy, there is no reason to suppose
that they will be endangered by being. sub
mitted to Congress. England and France
have pledged themselves that the exiled dukes
shall not be restored by foreign Intervention,
and the people Of the Central States have only
to remain true to their declarations to prevent
any fresh violation of the rights which they
have 80 CALAMITY asserted.
The CONGRESSIONAL PRINTNG.--We see that
report has been made by the Committee on
Printing in the House of Representatives
unanimously recommending the establishment
of a government printing Office. We long ago
suggested this plan as the only one calculated
to meet the evils of the present extravsgant
and proAigate mode Of doing the public print
ing. Objections have been made to it, on the
ground that the proposed Printing Bureau will