The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-04

AohCCs OplulOu may DC
of the nationality principle, it Is impossible to
deny that the belief in this principle has had
decisive influence upon the issue OF the recent
wars. i
In Italy, the separation Of Lombardy and
Venetia from Austria was demanded, not so
much on the ground of despotsm and unbesr-
able tyranny as on the ground of their having
as Italians a right to be united with the King
dom OF Italy, however unlmpeachable from a
historical point OF view the title OF Austria to
these countries might be. If Austria had be-
come, in point of administration, the model
Government of the world, it would not thereby
have stopped the cry for the liberation of
venetia
The demand of the Italians was certainly a
direct violation OF what more or less every gov
ernment OF the world at present recognizes as
the existing law for even Louis Napoleon,
though the seltconceited champion of the
rights OF oppressed natlonalittes, would be slow
to allow the people OF Alsace vote on the
question whether they wished to return TO Ger.
many or remain with France. But, although
revolutionary in its character, If viewed from
the standpoint of the existing law the demands
OF the Italians have met with cordial and unani-
nous applause on the part of the whole civilized
world. Austria was well aware of the unauimity
OF the Italians as regards their national aspiTa.
uons, and OF the sympathy their cause found in
Italy would never cease to claim Venetia which
prompted Austria, alter the defeat of Sadowa,
to cede it to the Emperor Louis Napoleon.
The Germans owe it to the complicated condi-
ton OF politics. and to their want of unity in
the nationality question, that their efforts for es.
ta5lshing united Ge1manywere less understood
abroad and less cared about. Yet their devotion
to the idea OF uniting the whole nation into one
political body was even more general than in
Italy; tor while in the latter country the great
majority or the priesthood, and The political
party which acted in harmony with them, were
often opponents OF the national tendencies, IN
Germany all parties, without exception sympa
thiZed with the idea OF re-estabhshing the unity
of the German nation, however widely they
differed as 10 the manner in which their common
object ought TO be accomplished.
Neither Italy nor Germany have as yet fully
attained the object of their national aspirations.
Italy Is still without Rome, and no diplomatic
negotiation Will be able to repress the demand
OF the people for the annexation of what they
consider the national capital OF their Kingdom.
1t Is probable that the Roman question will now
become more important than ever. and that it
will lead to difficulties with France. Italy has
also made demand for the southern portion OF
the Tyrol, the people of which are no less desi-
rous TO be united with Italy than the Venetians.
Still it may be doubted that the agitation for
the annexation of this and other districts which
are inhabited by Italians, will be as vigorous as
that tor the annexation OF Lombardy, Veneua,
and the Papal domnions has been.
Germany, in the hest case, will have only a
beginning OF national unity, which will neither
be as thorough nor as comprehensive as the
great majority of the people could desire. To
complete the work which has now been started
will be henceforth the great aim of the German
people. France, Austria, and Russia are all un-
iavorably disposed to the establishment of a
Germany embracing all countries inhabited by
Germans, and they can hardly tail to combine
their endeavors for preventing the complete sue.
cess of German unity. The struggle OF the
German nation against these adverse influences
is likely to constitute for many years to come
the most prominent question of European
politics.
The success OF the Italians and Germans in
their national aspirations will spur many other
nations to emulation. Among them the Hunga-
rlans and the Roumanians are likely to be fore.
most, and it will hardly be long ere we shall
hear of their efforts to become Independent
nations of Europe.