The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-19
The Liberty and Unity of Italy at Last
Complete.


In the late brief but gigantic war in Europe
the sympathies of the civilized world, how
ever they might have been divided with
reference to Prussia and Austria, were gene
rally on the side of Italy. She, at least, was
not fighting for conquest, but for the liberia
tion of a people speaking her own tongue,
bound to her by the strongest of natural
ties, and anxious to be united to her in the
bonds of government. The i'll fortune, too,
Of the Italian army, only equalled by its
bravery in the first battle of the war, served
to increase the interest felt in the struggle
The brave Italians lost the field, but they
more than gained the day in the hearts OF
men. But the conquering legions that out
numbered and defeated the forces of King
Victor Emanuel upon the field of Custozza,
were destined themselves in turn to be broken
and shivered before the mighty and we'll
trained armies that swept down from the
Baltic and the Rhine. The "man OF iron and
blood" and the terrible needle-guns at last
brought deliverance to Italy. The treaty of
peace between Austria and Italy was signed
upon the Sd instant, and within few DAYS
the Austrians will withdraw beyond the
boundaries, and the "City of the Sea" will
once more welcome an Italian King within
her walls. Thus, finally, before our own eyes,
will be consummated the long-cherished
dream Of poets, philosophers, and Statement
Italy free, united, and zone from the Alps to
the Sea-" Commenting upon the realization
of this great and long-struggled-for event. an
eloquent writer well remarks:-
"Great as the event is, it does not altogether
stand alone. Memory may travel so tar back in
the past as to ind its precedent. From the day
OF Alaric Italy has hardly ever been entirely
free OF invaders; but there was day in which
she had almost achieved her emancipation
achieved IL 2gle-handed- achieved 1t against
fearful ODDS, and after most desperate STRIFE
Little less than seven centuries ago in 1888 at
Constance, there was such another signature of
peace between Germany and Italy. Italian
poets dwell fondly on the memorable scene,
They paint the small blnd OF their dark
browed long-robed iegates, stepping fearlesslv
through the throng OF the mail-clal Barons
OF the North, standing unmoved in the
presence of that hlgh-minded Barbarossa
whose name had for 50 many years been
the terror of Italian mothers. That peaceful
meeting at the CITY on the Lake was the close
OF thirty years. struggle. Six times from the
Emperor's accession 10 his oyertaroy at Leg
nano had thai stubborn monarch or Jssed the
nlps a. tne mead OF the whole might Of his war
IKE nation. Scores OF the most thriving Lom-
Dard towns lay IN ashes. Milan itself was vice
prostrated The track OF tle invader was A
desert from the Pc TO the Tlber, but the bones
OF Its German hosts were strewn on that track
from the rear OF their bistions unwarlike
burghers learnt 10 look the fierce Northerner in
the face. Tbey drove MN from their walls; they
routed him ii the deld. Three thousand youths
OF the Milanese Company of Death" bore do yn
those iron ranks before them. Frederick himself
lost shield and standard; he was hurled from his
steed, lost 10 sight Tor three DAYS 20 friends ana
foes; waited for three nights by his Queen. i'm
whose heart hope sank at last, and who had
already come do vn from her wach-to Yer and
smut herself up In weeds and darkness when he
was at last restored, humbled and almos neart.
broken, to her arms. Proud days were those for
Italy, and strange contrast TO Custozza and
LISA; but LeRnano and Constance gave no real
peace to Italy, no freedom, no union. Even
during the struggle, Lombardy was half Gueloh,
half Ghibelme ter the victory every mans
ndnd was against every man. There was I'm
perial Italy and Papal Italy, then French and
Spanish, French and Austrian Italy; but never
Italian Italy. Not that there was any lack OF
strength in those days. There were giants in
the land. Milan Venice, Florence, Ganoa had
the wealth and almost The might of empress .
bat Italian Strength was turned against itself, it
spent Itself in civil broils and neehbors' feuds
Italian fury cut first its brothers throat and
then its own.n
Italy has now her destiny in her own hands.
She has finally achieved independence. If
her future career shall prove to be less free
and glorious, less worthy of her noble past
and of her auspicious present, than her friends
have been wont to anticipate for her, the
fault will be with herself She has all of the
capacities and the slumbering resources OF
great nation. She has glorious memories of
the past to urge her on, and the example of
other great and free peoples in the present to
encouIa age and stimulate her. But every
thing depends upon her people themselves.
independence, freedom, legovernment--
these do indeed remove great and formidable
obstacles from the path of nations progress;
but the spirit of advancement, the animating
impulse, the developing force, must come
from acSthin, Institutions cannot confer it.
Laws cannot implant it. If the germ be not
in the people themselves, we shall seek for It's
fruits in vain.
Yet, let us hope fol the best from Italy.
No people have shown more intense devo-
ton to liberty than the Italians, and the
capacity to use liberty Alright is generally pro-
pOrtionate to the love manifested for it. 1t
would be grand sight to behold Venice re.
newing her ancient glories, Rome once more
free, and Italy again the worlds leader in
architecture poetry, painting, sculpture and
song.