The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-09-03
The National Character and Influence

1 &is = L
The National Character and Influence
i of Italy. des5fea
The London Times of August Is, has an
article of more than ordinary interest upon
the future position and influence of Italy
among the European kingdoms Hitherto
this new asprant for place among the estab-
lished powers has held her ground rather
through courtesy than through the complete
ness OF her credentials, and many doubts have
existed whether she would prove strong
enough to make her claim finally good
"There has been an Italy on the maps, but
there has been no real Italy at the Council
of the Venetian question, these doubts are set
at rest, and it becomes plain that the youth
full kingdom is really one among the CONT
mental Powers. She has gained the strength
which comes funity, and the respect which
is awarded to strength. Her rich. to place
and voice at the Council Board is establish
ed, and the European family of nations accept
her as their sister and their peer. sH
In these new circumstances it becomes
matter of interest to inquire what are the pc
culiarities Of character, and what is likely to
be the nature of the influence exerted by the
Italian nation on the world and the time
In answer to queries of this kind the Times
replies as follows:
We will not speculate further on this sub
Ject than to say that the influence of the new
Kingdom of Italy in Europe will probably be
in the liberal direction, and that it will bring
very large and increasing resources to sup
port the line it adopts. Nobody can doubt
the great material and moral elements of
strength in Italy. The country has, at any
rate, for three parts of its length of coast, a
temperate and healthy-we might almost say
an Engllsh-climate Tor some nine months of
the year. This is most important There is
dining enervating and emasculatinr in the
climate of Italy; there is no reason why she
should rot produce capital soldiers; she DOES
produce them, even this war has shown it.
Splendid Generals and Admirals are Gifts Of
PROVIDENCE TO country; those great heads
spring up to the surface when or how we
know moi; 1t is mystery; no, system can
manufacture them; only ifa nation goes on
long enough it will have its share from this
hidden mine. But though Italy b Is not got
much out OF this occult vein of nature in this
war, she has shown the genuine warrior ore.
Her soldiers stand fire; they do not finch.
There is, then, no cause for distrusting the
Italian soldier, or believing that he has de-
generated from those Italians who constituted
the invincible legions which subdued the
world. T, -, .ih,-.f u rsr.J ~
And if the Italians can show the true grain
which a professional military Judge wants. no.
body can doubt the enthusiastic element in
them. This is also an immense source of
strength. Enthusiasm is real and most
powerful agent; it does not succeed without
other aids, but it does make men do what no
thing else can make them do. 1t is a happy
conformation of nation If the popular mass
has enthusiasm, and if the people at the top
have head enough to control and to use it
But this does appear to be the temperament
ana composition of the Italian nation. We
may may wonder at the enthusiasm of whole ma
ton, especially at their warike enthusiasm: at
onas eu. ~ and incubation of passion which
carries them in vast masses to he made food
for powder. " ~ " -''''o " 'oe''
slaH* y
a philosopher may make such reflections.
but still the fact remains that men do ,,,Sb in
crowds to fight for an idea. And, tberafora ~,
idea which is grand and striking enough to
act upon population and produce this readi-
ness to sacrifice themselves for it is wortb
more than whole trains of artillery, and if is
an immense source of strength to a country.
AND this fountain ofstrength Italy eminentiy
possesses. There were feats in this very war
e el 10 the most heroic acts OF antiquity
~ 1ne 1eaaly salute from the topmasts OF the
ne ltaha Just before she went down deserves
TO take Its place among the heroic actions Of
sne word the cry Of exultation ana triumph
nom the burning Palestro as she sunk with all
ner crew, me Viva IL Re" and "viya pItalia"
into the waves, from men who could leave
but who would not leave, their ship. merits
the same place. These are actions which