The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-18

hHn. Indeed, we are Inclined to believe IL
Mayor Hoffman should call an angel down
from heaven and nominate him for the Office
Of Stree. Commissioners, he would be rejected
by the Board of Aldermen, wings and all.
Tho Roman Qnessisn-yictor Emaanel's
speech.
The speech OF the King of Italy on the OPEN
ing Of the Italian Chambers has been looked
forward 10 with good deal Of anxiety, in
view OF the altered position which he now
occupies in regard to the Pope. II was ex-
pected that il would throw more ligh, on the
arrangements entered into with France than
No previously possessed and that ii would
prove the Italian government 10 be more ham
pered ia Its action than the reported terms
of the Convention showed. II II CRAFTY
ing TO find that such is not the fact The King
merely declares that he will respect the terri
tory Of the Papal States, and hopes thai the
moderation Of the Italian people and the wis
dom OF the Pope will remove al causes Of diff
fersncs. 10 other words, he simply expresses
his inteaticn to take no hostile steps against
'the independence OF biz Holiness; hut he makes
40 pledges as to what he may do 10 the event
Of the Roman people expelling him by their
nnaided efforts and declaring themselves part
and parcel Of the great Italian family. II is
satistsotory 70 ind that be has not bound him
self 10 march an army into the Roman States to
Interfere with the free expression of the popu.
lar will Whenever that may seek an opportu-
nifty Of declaring itsclf Such q pledge would
neither be consistent with his own freshly won
position, nor would II be tolerated by the Ital-
Ian nation. Napoleon himself dare not again
resort 70 such step after the concession that he
has just been compelled to make to public opin-
Ion. His Holiness therefore stands in regard
70 bis people In tho position Of ruler on his
good behavior, and It Is on his wise or lmprl-
depend the chances OF bis being able to remain
In Rome.
rPius had consulted the promptings Of his
own fears there IL no doubt that he would
hsve Hed his capital on the day that the last
detachment Of French troops quilted it He
hiss lest all that faith In the generosity OF the
popular heart which he once expressed and
the more Is the pity. That belief would pro-
sect him better than the foreign mcrcensries by
whom be is surrounded. He has been forced
70 remain In Rome solely by the ultimatnm
cent him by Napoleon--that II he 1ed he would
lose the benefit Of the influence Of France,
which might still, without the employment Of
force, do much towards the preservation Of his
States for him.
That this IL the fact We know iron the msn-
ner in which be has been casting about for
place Of refuge. The British government was
applied to 70 state II IL had any objection 10 his
taking up his residence in Malta; the Spanish
government was similarly approached, and from
despatch received yesterday by the cable 1t
would seem ~ II President Johnson had been
also sounded on the feasibility Of his establish
ing himself here. At least 20 We interpret the
otherwise singular statement that he had been
officially invited to this country.
We have repeatedly expressed our convic-
ZION that the present condition Of things In
Rome would speedily come to an end a. soon
~ the French troops were Withdrawn. Their
presence copsiituted the only barrier 10 revo-
hhoh ~ tnc Tope auu uts nuvlBeB could Dc
brought to see things through q common sense
medium the changes That must ensue could be
made as compatible with their interests ss
with those Of Che people. No one, We believe,
not even the most ardent Of the Italian revo-
luhonists, desires to see Rome made the capital
Of Italy. To introduce there the frivolity and
and ever-changing habits Of a metropolis
would be 10 destroy oil the historic and rsli-
sious interest with which II Il invested. A
monument alike OF the republican, impe-
rial, feudai and early artistic periods, 1t
must be preserved from the invasion OF fashion
and commerce, as well as from the irreverence
which charaeteriges what is called modern pro-
Yrew. Florence is the 6ttest capital for Italy.
There the beauty and convenience Of the situa-
iion. the delightfancss Of the atmosphere and
he gay aspect Of the palaces and public build
ings combine oil the conditions required for
the scat Of government. The political obsts-
des removed, as they might be, We see no
reason Why Plus should quit Rome. lie might
De permanently installed there under condI-
lions that would be incompatible neither with
sss security o. the people nor that Of the
Church. II he must stIll combine . share Of
secular with spiritual duties, We can see no
objection 70 his aoting ne part Of Pspai
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