The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-28
The Movement ia Italy and the Position
of Victor Emanuel.

The Movement in Italy and ths Position
of Victor Emanuel.
The movement in Italy for the liberation OF
Rome and the union Of the Papa territory
with The kingdom advances with such rapid
strides that the ink which records one striking
event is hardly dry before news of others 10
flashed through the Atlantic cable. The last
received is highly interesting in several points
of view General Garibaldi was marching on
Rome, and was in sight of the city. The
amount of his force is not stated, but IL
was divided into two columns and the Papal
troops were re reat ng before the victorious
insurgents. The whole of Italy seems to be in
state of fermentation. The ardor and deter
mination of the Italian patriots appear irre-
sis,ible. so that if the fate OF Rome were to
rest on the Italians alone, there would be little
doubt of the result But we learn at IN same
time that the French feet had sailed from
Toulon for Civita yeccha. The mission Of
this feet, doubtless, is to interfere in the
affairs Of Italy, to defend the temporal
power OF the Pope, and to make war on the
Garibaldans. 1t remains to he seen how Tar
the Italian patriots may be able to resist the
formidable Intervention Of France That Power
makes tho contest very doubtful at present
The news of approaching events, therefore,
will be anxiously looked for throughout the
civilized world, and particularly in the United
States.
But what position does Victor Emanuel
occupy at this critical timer Evidently he is
much embarrassed. In opposing the popular
movement, or by not going with it and con-
trolling it. and thus yielding to the policy and
dictation of the French government, he makes
himself the vassal of Napoleon. He puts not
only Rome but also Italy at the feet of France,
and he virtually dethrones himself Though
he is q brave soldier he shows = want of moral
courage and sagacily in this great crisis. He
talks about his obligations, under the conven-
ton with France, not to disturb the Pope or
annex the Papal territory. He forgets that
the voice of whole nation-of a nation Of
twenty-six millions of peoples superior to
all conventions, particularly when forced
upon an unwilling people by the SELL
ish diplomacy Of foreign Power Great
popular movements cannot be bound by such
conventions. Nor are governments bound by
them when in the way Of their policy or inte-
rests. Napoleon will not be bound by this one
with Victor Emanuel. BY ordering his feet to
Italy he shows how little he respects either his
treaty obligations or the sentiments of an indie
pendent nation and an ally. Where Napoleon
had one reason for intervening in the affairs of
Italy and Rome Victor Emanuel had many and
powerful ones to resist the Intervention to the
last extremity. He has Inundated Italy, and
in doing so runs the greatest risk of losing the
affection and allegiance Of the Italian people.
This view of Victor Emanuel's position is
predcatei upon the presumption that he is
really opposed TO tie movement of the Italian
patriots. We might have thought his opposi-
ton feigned and his real wish covered up, for
the purpose OF throwing dust in the eyes Of
Napoleon and the ultramontaue party, had he
not permitted Intervention against the Italians
to 60 SO far; but when he declines TO take
possession of Rome, and stands still while
another French expedition sails for that
city, we must conclude he has aban-
doned the cause OF Italian unity out
Of fear and at the dicta,ion OF the French
II he had been wise and had possessed moral
courage enough when the movement assumed
the grand proportions it has no would have
entered Rome before the French could have
started to that city, and then have proclaimed
to France and the world fat dccompE. Then
he could have explained the necessity for
taking such q step, could have shown it was
the only way to settle a troublesome question
and preserve the peace OF Italy and Europe,
could have appealed to the sympathy OF man
kind and then could have entered into nego-
tatioLs with the French and other govern
mems on the basis Of what he had done. Such
course, probably, would have prevented the
intervention OF Napoleon. There might have
been some sharp diplomatic talk, but It Is not
likely any French feet or French soldiers
would have been sent to Rome. At all events
| the Italians would have rallied with remarka-
BILE unanimity to support their brave King
He would have become the most popular mon.
arch IN Europe. IL - not likely that Napoleon
would have made war on the King to drive
him out OF Rome and to maintain the temporal
power ofthc Pope but IL even he should have
attempted 1t, twenty-sx millions Of brave and
ardent Italians, with the sympathy Of the civ.
ilized world 10 back them, would have been a
match on their own soil for France. nowerfnI
-
as she IL.
But Victor Emanuel seems 10 have lost tho
opportunity OF making himself great and all
Italy united. Perhaps he has been unwisely
playing game in behalfof tie dynasties and
against the democratic tendencies Of The peo-
pie. lie may have dreaded This popular move.
meni more than the threats of Napoleon or
military power OF France His brother mon
arehs may have advised him TO stem tho