The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-22
Progress OF Constitutionai In cry -
Italy.


The most remarkable political phenomeA, ~
in Europe is that which we see in Italy. The
present state of affairs in that country, viewed
in contrast with its condition few years ago
and through the long night of despotism which
hung over 1t, shows one of the most surprising
revolutions in this eventful age. Italy, the
most interesting country Of the Old World, the
garden of Europe, the cradle Of civilization, the
repository of art, once the grandest of nations
and the ruler of the world, around which are
clustered the most glorious and undying memo
rails of history begins to feel the inspiration Of
its past glories and the influence of modern
progress. After centuries Of political and re-
ligious despotism, under which all its glory and
beauty were obscured, and from which no light
Of promise In the future could be discerned,
Italy rises again, like the phenx from its ashes,
to new life. We have watched the progress Of
this renaissance with deep interest for some
years, and we are particularly struck with the
evidence of 1t In . recent political event.
Our correspondent in Italy gave us re-
Gently full account of the event referred
to-the defeat Of the ministry in the Italian
Parliament, and its prompt resignation in
consequence. This circumstance shows that
the voice of the people, as expressed
through their representatives, is recognized as
the governing power Of the country. The i'm
portance Of this fact will be appreciated more
in Europe, perhaps, than in this country, be-
cause under our form Of government we hold
the chief Of the State-!he President-respon-
sible, and not the members of his Cabinet, who
are only secretaries, as they are properly
called. The majority in Congress may be of
different party to the President and his Cabi-
net, or may hold to different policy, and still
the machinery Of the government goes on. We
have checks and balances in the working of our
institutions not found In monarchies, and
the election of the President every four
years, and of the popular branch of Con-
gress every s two years, Obvates the
necessity Of responsible ministry, as
it is in England or Italy. The ministry there
is changed to suit the change Of popular senti-
ment as supposed to be expressed by the rep
resentatives; and il there be a doubt about
this, or the monarch wishes to ascertain thu
sentiment Of the people, Parliament is dis
solved and new election held. Our repre-
sentatives come fresh from the people every
two years, and we hold the President in check
by an election every four years. But where
the lie Of Chief of the State is hereditary or
for life the only safeguard to liberty is in bav-
Ing a ministry that represents the views Of the
majority of the people. A government so Or
dercd is called constitutional government, in
contradistinction 10 those that are absolute.
Until lately England was the only considerable
Power In Europe which had such constitl-
tional government; and even now nearly all
the great Powers have not Within few
years, however, the democratic principle Of
popular government has made great progress,
and particularly in Italy. The monarchs and
aristocracies begin to see the necessity Of max
ing this concession, in order to evoid revolu-
lions. Absolutism Is fast dying out and nothing
uuu suve tns uIu orucr u gcvvD6Snx aud So
ciety from violent shocks Of anarchy but Civ
ing way to the enlightened spirit Of the age
and demands Of TIE people. The sstute EN-
peror Of the French understood thls, and saw
the necessity Of fsvoring the cause Of consti-
tutional liberty In Italy, in order to keep down
the revolutionary fro. While he exercised des-
potic authority at home, amusing the msrcu-
rial Frenchmen ct the same time with univer-
sal suffrage and the name Of liberty, he saw
safety only against revolution in Italy and Its
contagious influence in France in aiding the
Italians 10 establish a powerful constitutional
kingdom. Young Italy, under the influence or
such men a. Garibaldi, has taken, perhapa,
greater strides and moved faster than Napoleon
wished; but the movement was irresistible
Italy to-day Il the vanguard Of the nations Of
continental Europe In the march Of conslitu-
tional liberty.
difficulties TO encounter. The most serious,
probably, IL that Of the finances, which gave
rise to the conflict between the Representatives
and the ministry when the latter resigned. A
deficit Of sixty millions Of dollars for The cur
rent expenses Of the government ia time OF
peace is an embarrassing matter. sun the
difficulty may be overcome A people SO full
Of new life, hope and patriotism are equal to
almost any emergency. The enormous army
Of some three hundred thousand men might be
cut down perhaps with safety, and other eco
nomical reforms might be made. From the
vigor with which Parliament has commenced
its session we may hope II will fluid solution
for the financial troubles of the government.
A people crushed down and divided by GEN.
turtles Of despotic rule, and suddenly placed In
such novel situation, have much to learn ne
cessariy, and many embarrassments 20 en-
counter. They are, however, on the right road
to future prosperity and greatness. The peo-
pie OF the United States sympsthize with them
and watch their progress with great interest.
We should prefer to see republic estsblished