The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-12
The Reverse Suffered by the Italian Army.


From ne Times.
America, in common with the great proper
ton of the civilized world, sympathizes deeply
with Italy in her efforts to gain Venetia and
to establish a national unity throughout the
whole peninsula
The late defeat, TO our eyes, has something Of
the character of the early defeats of the North In
our civil war. II resulted, without doubt, from
rashness and an undertaking of the strength
of the enemy. With all the opportunities of the
Italians to cut the communications of the Aus
trian force, either on the Adriatic, between
Trieste and Venice, or on the slopes of the Alps,
between Tyrol and Venetia, holding the sea as
they do, and able to attack where they will, it
certainly seems even with our imperfect know
ledge of the facts piece of extra ordinary fool
hardness to make the first essay on that famous
line of earthworks and fortresses which The
Austrians have spent years In making lmpreg-
nable.
So far, too, as we can gather from the brief
accounts, they seemed to have followed in
another unfortunate respect our early example,
One corps was thrown out in the air and doubled
up before the two others could assist; the enemy
issuing from any point in the Quadrllateral
which suited them, and able. II repulsed, to
retreat to their Businesses.
We are not prepared, of course, as yet to Judge
where precisely the fault was but from the we'll
known temperament OF the King OF Italy, we
may reasonably conclude that the defeat was the
result OF rashness by the Italians.
But whatever was lost on that unfortunate
Sunday, even the Austrian dispatches agree
that it was not honor. The Kings troops fought
long and bravely against superior numbers,
and part OF the time against fortified positions.
There was no rout or flight at the end. Their
losses in men will soon be made up by new
enllstments. The only question which will arise
will be, how far do the Italians people possess
that highest quality of manhood, which only
derives strength from disaster and gains courage
from defeat
We may, without undue praise of our own
nation, recall, at this time, that the most glo-
rious era, for the North, OF our war, was not
the time of our victories, but the hours of our
defeats. All can remember when ne disaster,
though throwing a cloud of gloom over ten
thousand families, only gave new nerve to the
resolution of the people, ana thousands who
were Indifferent to the national cause when VIC
torious, pressed forward eagerly to join it when
under misfortune and defeat.
We, Americans-Celts and SaXons and Nor
mans in one-perhaps with undue vanity
esteem this resolution under encouragement,
this pertinacity against obstacles, and pluck
amid defeats, as the peculiar quality OF our
mixed race. We have tnat slow working but
tenacious temperament which only truly and
warmly embraces a cause when it begins to
meet with hndrances and disasters. 1t re-
mains to be seen whether the Latin race, in its
representatives, the Italians, has the same
tough and enduring quality. We all know
their Southern fire and enthusiasm; have
they also the Northern obstinacy and tenacity
We incline to the belief that the national en-
thusiasm is so aroused now throughout Italy,
that this defeat will only fire the courage of
the people with new ardor. They have deibe
rately and with full knowledge cast in their
all in this gigantic struggle with the enor
nous power of Austria. 1t is the effort of
for the gem of Italy, the ancient Queen of the
AdriatiC, to regain liberty and nationality for
the Italians under Austrian tyranny, to advance
education and all liberal ideas among the
4 hrin hn tom pnral
power of the kingdom, and redeem the whole
peninsula from the power OF the foreigner and
the priest If this struggle be successful, Italy
becomes then European power on an advanced
and liberal basis, emancipated from France as
IS we'll as Austria and Rome She joins the
ranks of the nations moving on in the path of
modern progress. By one brief and bitter effort
she throws off the burdens of ages, and hence.
forth, freed from the hostile Quadrilateral and
French dependence, she can dispense with
armies, and the whole energies of the people
will be directed to the means of production and
the arts OF peace. To gain such a result, no
bargains such as the London Times recommends
will be of any use. Fighting, and only fighting,
can give her a true independence-can create
respect at home and respect abroad.
But to gain all this she may we'll afford to
offer the lives and treasure OF whole genera
tion. Such baptisms of blood as that few
days since near Verona are terrible, but they
may be the necessary conservation for great
and dignifed national career.
An Italy freed, united, and regenerated need
not regret any price paid, whether in the lives oil
brave men or the voluntary offerings from the
means of the whole people.
We incline to believe that there is that fire o.
patriotism now among the Italian people-tha
passion for nationality and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
even all the forces OF the Austrian empire will
be of no avail in the long run. Defeat will
turn into victory, and victory win at length
bring independence to Italy.