The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-26

Europe except the Papacy, and the hour OF the
Papacy has come. Bad as it is and has been,
nobody can well witness its fall without emo
ton. 1t has been in its day great witness for
right against might, for moral against physical
force, and it derives additional and almost as
strong a claim to interest from the fact that
with 1t disappears the last trace of the organi-
zing genius of Rome. #
Victor Emanuel and the Roman Question
From the N. Y. Herald.
1t was said of Charles Albert, the father of
Victor Emanuel when he succumbed to the
Austrians, that he was incomprehensible, be-
cause he did not see his opportunity for libe-
rating and consolidating Italy at that time, or
because he had not the courage and skill to
lead the Italians to their destiny. The same
may be said now of the conduct of his son with
regard to the movement for the liberation of
Rome. With all the difficulties before him,
and not the least of which is that of an ex-
hausted treasury, we still are unable to see
why he lets the present opportunity of freeing
Rome and uniting it to his kingdom slip away
He has behind him twenty millions of
ardent Italian patriots, who on their own soil
ought to be equal to any foreign enemy and
he could have, what is of the greatest import
ance, the sympathy of Europe and America,
and some of the Catholic mOnarchs. These
hostile elements, however, are less powerful
than the mass of the people everywhere, who
are for the cause of Roman liberty and Italian
unity.
Various coniectures are made as to the mo-
tive of Victor Emanuel in sacrificing the cause
of Italy at the dictation of Louis Napoleon. A
French organ in this city throws out the idea
that the Italians are no match for Frencbmen
in a war, and that the King of Italy, being
conscious of this, wisely yielded to the de-
mands of the Emperor. Such, probably, will
be the view taken also by the press of France;
for it is just what might be expected from the
characteristic vanity of Frenchmen. And it
may be so. The King of Italy, though brave
| soldier, may have been afraid Of the conse-
| quences of war with France. But it is not so
with the Italian people. The old Roman fire
has been rekindled in their hearts; they feel
that they are the descendants of the old mas
ters of the world; and the glOries of the past,
stimulated by the spirit and intelligence OF the
present age, inspire them with enthusiasm
and with confidence in the future. Admitting
the military power of France and the bravery
of Frenchmen, we still think, as we said before,
that twenty-sx millions of Italians, united and
led by their Government, could not be subju-
gated on Italian soil. If, therefore, Victor
Emanuel has betrayed the cause of Italy and
yielded to French dictation from fear, he has
ludue BIedI ullSIdh6' IN opposing Lne afueQJ
aspirations of his people and the movement to
free Rome he may lose control over the revo-
luton, and he and his dynasty may ere long
be swept away as the consequence of his weak
| ness. Heretofore he wisely placed himself at
| the head of the movement, and became power
| full and beloved. He will find it extremely
hazardous to place himself in opposition or to
stand still now. But it may be that he looks to
accomplishing the object of freeing Rome and
uniting it to his kingdom through negotiations,
| through a European Congress, or through
accidental events at no distant day. Possibly
this hope may have been held out to him by
Napoleon or his allies. But will the people of
Rome and Italy wait Can the brakes be put
on the revolutionary car for such an indefinite
period Will it not break loose and plunge
Italy into civil as well as a foreign war We
think the King has not we'll weighed these inn.
portant considerations. We think he should
have led and tempered the movement-shoul6
have entered Rome and negotiated with Napo
leon and the Pope afterwards. His timidity
emboldened the ultramontane party and the
French Emperor. Had he been bold, and made
the possession of Rome an accomplished fact
Napoleon might have hestated, and both civi
and foreign war been averted.
| Possibly Victor Emanuel might have beer
afraid of the revolution to his own dynast,
and to monarohioal government in general
and he may oppose the Roman and Italian
patriots on that ground. Even the crowned
heads of Europe, who are his allies and wht
favor constitutional government under monar
chy, may have been afraid of the movement
and have advised him to stem it. The Govern
ments of Prussia and England even may fea
the republican tendencies of the Italians anC
OF the age. Of course we cannot know ye
what Influences led Victor Emanuel to taxi
Vhe step he has taken. We can only say hi
conduct is incomprehensible at present. Fo
@ Ine want OF boldness and ability he has PLACED
L..ei niihsen IN very difficult, if not dangerous
!IS stuatlo1' This was seen in the trouble he me
StnI wTn IN N ms Cabinet and in forming new one
l over this first difficulty with his own neonis n