The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-14
VOL. XII.-NO. 36.
Written for the Pioneer and Democrat.
The Philosophy Of POlitics--Teaching
by Example.
NUMBER POUR.

NUMBER FOUR.
The Disunon and Downfall of the Italian Republics
Their Subjugaiion ty Foreign Pow-rs.
We learn from the history of TIE confed-
Grated Republics, which have preceded
our own, that their only strong bond Of
union was common and manifest danger.
Their period of assured peace and security
from external iozs. and OF their highest
prosperity ano power, WAS that of their
greatest peril. 1t was then, fearing no
assault from external forces. that States and
parties became iTrec0ucilaoiy opposed to
each other on some internal issue origina-
ting in sectional tends, Jealousy, envy or
ambition. Although they were at first.
when weak, willing to make any necessa-
ry compromise 10 accomplish a perfect
union, they refused wheu they had grown
strong, to make any concessions to each
other, and thus States originally fraternai,
became alien and hostile, and preferred an
alliance with common foe, to which they
finally sacrificed everything they valued,
rather than yield their mutual cause Of
quarrel, though j. were only mere abb
straction.
Among confederated States there are, in
all ages and countries, diversites OF charac-
ter, manners, prejudices, and local interests,
sufficient, when arrayed against each other,
to excite the most unrelenting animosities,
and to produce disunion and war. This is
the rock, which seems to be submerged and
out OF sight in periods of party or popular
commotion, upon which every great union
of states, except our OVID, has been dashed
to pieces-and already, our Union is in
great and present danger OF alike fate from
the same cause.
Of all the Republics ever founded in Eu-
rope, only those of Switzerland and San
Marno survive. Their insigniGcance is
their safety. 10 the cause assigned may be
clearly traced the destruction of the confed-
erations of free states, in Greece, Italy, and
The Netherlands. 1t is now fearfully prob
able that the history OF our United States
may repeat that of each and all the great
Republics that have preceded it, aud that
the only glorious period in our annals, will
be that in which the Union was formed to
resist the expressions OF George the Third,
as was that of Greece to resist the Mede, of
Italy, Frederick Barbarossa, and OF The
Netherlands, Philip the Second.
Should our Union be dissolved in the
present sectional couhict, which we now all
see threatens its existence, future historians
may record with wonder the occurrence OF
this calamity, in the age of our greatest
prosperity, when we were the most flourish
ing people on earth. Monarchies and des
potism are endangered by want, by "hard
times" and misery, and Ignorance prevail
ing to excess among the people; but Repub-
lies are destroyed by an excess of plenty, by
intelligence and mental activity, guided by
ambition and party ZEAL
1t is only by studying the history of the
fallen Republics which have preceded our
own, that we can rightly estimate the value
of our Union, as the source Of prosperity
individual as we'll as national.
The Lombard League, union of most OF
the Italian Republics, continued no longer
than was essential to securing their freedom.
The condition of Europe enabled them to
retain their separate independence for a
long time, notwithstanding their frequent
wars with each other. When they had the
power, having achieved their independence,
to unite and make perpetual union and
great nation, their mutual rivalries and
jealousies, had already divided them into
States. alien to each other. 1t is now "too
late" as we have no doubt, will soon be
apparent, to organize "a free and united
Italy" Nations, like individuals, have but
one youth. the time for education, and the
formation of permanent habits. 1t is then,
that Republics, with any promise of perpe-
tuity have their birth, and development,
essential to healthy maturity. The Italians,
by sectional strifes, sacrificed this period OF
their growth to the indulgence of mutual
hostilities. Their free spirit is now in its
second childhood. After the present fitful
struggle is over, we have no doubt but they
will again become the prey of despots, main
tained on their petty thrones by foreign
powers:
Just before the Italians lost their liberties
they were the richest and most prosperous
people of Europe. The Americans of our
day do not excel the Italians of that age
in energy and enterprise, or even in talents
applied to business and affairs. The uni.
versal stimulous of ample reward to all
kinds of industry and enterprise, increased
to the utmost extent, the activity of all
classes of society, melting every Italian to
cultivate bis faculties, and follow whatever
pursuit might appear to him most conginial
to his talents and tastes. "Labor," (says