The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-20

of factious Congresses, that will prove of the
highest advantage for the interests of our own
trade and that of the world
The Italian and Savoy Questions RE-
coEnitien by England or the Validity
OF tho Annexation Votes.
We see, with satisfaction, that England hss
lost no time in giving her sanction to the new
order of things established by the popular vote
of the Central Italian States. In the House of
Commons, on the I'd inst, Lord John Russell,
in reply to an Interpolation, stated that tho
government had advised her Majesty to recog-
mise the annexation of Bologna, Tuscany. Mo-
dena and Parma to the kingdom of Sardinia.
This settles the question, SO far as foreign d.
plomatic interference is concerned. In presence
of such recognition on the part of England,
it is no longer in the power of Congress to
disturb the arran gements effected by the will
of the Italian people. France will no doubt
shortly follow with similar formal acknow-
ledgment of the fact to which she has secretly
contributed; so that were even Austria disposed
to depart from that latitude of reserve" which
she gradually prescribes to herself, she would
be met by the same physical obstacles that
have restrained her action thus far. This quiet
but summary mode of settling the issues in
volved in the Italian imbroglio is of bad augury
for the Neapolitan despot. 1t tells his people
in plain terms that they have but to accomplish
a successful revolution to have their indepen-
dence recognized and virtually guaranteed by
the two Powers which at present control Euro
pean affairs.
The appeal made by Switzerland to the
European governments which were parties to
the treaty of Vienna will, it is now believed,
result in Congress. There is d principle in
volved in the question raised by that republic
which cannot well be disposed of otherwise.
The readiness that the French Emperor has
himself expressed to place the neutralized pro-
vinces of Savoy under such exceptional cir
cumstances in regard to French rule as will
conserve the interests of Switzerland, shows
that on this point no serious difficulty is.to be
apprehended. In fact, there are strong reasons
for believing that the absorption of those dis.
tricts is threatened merely to bring about for
NAL diplomatic arrangement, nots much for the
sake of such an arrangement itself, but for the
mode in which it is to be effected. Louis Ma
poleon has certain Interior views which can
only be subserved by the reassembling of
another Congress, and this small Swiss dis
pute has been made the pretext for ehecting
his object It will be found when itmeets that
he cares but little about these neutralized dis
tricts of Savoy, and that he will readily enter
| into tho rio ~ HE hrofhor s..
gard to the future position which they are to
hold. For his accommodating spirit in respect
to them, he will, however, exact conditions
which will, probably, not prove very palatable
| to the Continental governments. Either in
principle or in fact he will make such further
| invasions Of the treaties of 1916 as will leave
them of very little account for the future re-
| gulation of European affairs.
After the manner in which the diplomatic
arrangements ratified between the European
governments during the last half century have
been broken through by the will of single
ruler, political treaties will henceforth cease
| to have the value in the eyes of states
men which has hitherto attached to them.
England gave the first great blow to their i'm
portance, by the recognition of the principle
that de Jacto government was entitled to the
same measure of respect as de juse one; or, in
other words, that successful revolution de-
cided the right of apeople to the choice of their
own Institutions Louis Napoleon himself, the
| offspring of this dogma is giving it practical
effect, by aiding the principle of elective sove-
reignty in other countries. England and
France, united in the propagandism of theory
which renders compacts between rulers and
! governments dependent upon the will of their
people, of what avail become treaties having
for object the perpetuation of territorial boun-
daries, and of certain order of political ideas?
Very soon these paper agreements to limit the
rights and progress Of populations will be
thrown aside altogether, and the broad under
standing will be adopted that nations are not
to be fettered by the unintelligent theories and
| foolish compacts Of past generations. This is
the only principle on which the relations of
the world can henceforth be carried on. 1t is
certainly the only one which guarantees popu-
lar liberty and the progress Of civilized ideas.
But meanwhile the old dynasties will endeavor
to organize secret combination against Napo-
leon, in order to preserve the old regime and
crush out the new ideas andsthe popular will.
A PROPHECY SPEEDILY VERIFIED.-In the year
1852 the Common Council of New York passed
Railroad bill similar to but not in any re-
spect more fagitious than those which have
lust passed the Legislature over the Governors
veto. The indignation of the whole commu-
nifty was aroused at such shameless traficking
with the franchises of the city; the courts were
annoalod 70 and aidad hu tho Torna Of nuhlin