The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-25

nave celbed 10 Irlguten MIN.
Victor Emanuel and tho Roman Question
1t was said Of Charles Alber', the father Of
Victor Emanuel, when re succumbed to the
Austrians, that he was incomprehensible,
because he did not see bis opportunity for
liberating 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 movem mt for the liberation
of Rome. With all the difficulties before linn,
and not the leas! of which Is that Of an ex-
hanstea rgasury, we still arc unable 70 see
why he lets the present opportunity OF freeing
Rome and unit ny ii to his kingdom slip away.
He has behind him twenty@six millions Of
ardent Italian patriots, who on tneir own soil
ought to BIO equal to any foreign enemy, and
he could hava, what is of the greatest impor-
lance, the sympathy OF Europe and America,
apart from the ultramoniane party. Napoleon
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 Rom IN liberty and Itali an
unity.
Various conjectures are made as to the
motive Of Victor Emanuel in sacrificing the
c,usc of Italy at the dicta lion Of Louis Napo-
leon. A French organ in this city throws out
the idea that the alans are no ma oh for
Frenchmen in war, and that tha King of Italy,
being conscious of this, wisely yiclds to the
demands of the Emperor. Such, probably,
W II be the view taken also by the press of
France for it is just what might oe expected
And it my be so. The King Of Italy, though
a brave soldier, my have been afraid Of the
consequences Of a war with France. But it is
not so with the Italian people. The old Roman
fire has been rekindlcl in their hearts they
feel that they are the descendants Of the old
masters of the world; and The glories of the
p,st, stimuli lied by the spirit and intelligence
OF the present aga, inspire them with enthusiasm
and wi confidence in the future. Admitting
the military power Of France and the bravery
of Frcnchinen, we still think, rs we s lid before,
that twenty six millions of Italians, united and
| by their governm nj, could not DO subji-
ga'el on Italian soil. II, therefore, Victor
Emanuel h@ betrayed the cause Of Italy
and yieldel to French dicla.ion from
fear, he has made great mistake.
In opposing the ardent aspira ions OF
his people and the movement to ire, Rom,
he may lose control over the revolution and
he and his dynasty may ere long DO swept
away as th, consequences of hi, weaAncss.
Heretofore he wis 'ly placed himself at
the head OF che movement and became
powerful and beloved. He will find IL
OK remedy hazardous to plicc himself in
opposition or to stand still now. But I.
may be that he looks to accomplishing
the object of freeing Rome and uniting il
with his kingdom through negotiations
through a European Congress- or through ac-
c denial events at no distant day. Possibly
This hope my have been held out to him by
Napoleon or his allies. But will the people
OF Rome end Italy walti Can tho brakes be
put en- the revolutionary car for such an in
definite period? Will it not break loose AMI
plunge LAZY into q civil as wei as foreiyn
war; We think the King has not well weighed
these important consi ieraions. We think he
should have led and tempered the move
men.--should have entered Rom, and ncgo-
lated with Napoleon and the Pope after
ward. His iimidty cmboliened the ultra
montana party anl the French Emperor. Had
he been bold and nude tn, possession of
Rome an accomplished fact, Napoleon might
have hcsitatel and both civil and foreign war
Teen averted.
Possibly Victor Emanuel might have been
afraii OF the revolution to his own dynasty and
to monarchical government in general. and he
may oppose the Roman and Ita'i.n patriots on
that grosni. Even the crowned heads of
Europe, who are his allies and who favor con-
stitutional government under monarchy, may
have been afraid Of the movement and have
advise him to stem it TIL, governments of
Prussia and England even may fear the rcpub-
lioan tendencies Of the Italians and Of the age.
OF course we cinnot know yet what Influences
led Victor Emanuel to take the step he has
taken. We can only say his conduct is incom-
prehcnsible mt present For the want OF b old
ness AMI ability he has placed himself in
very d fiicult if not dangerous, situation. This
was seen in the trouble he met with in bis
Cabinet and in forming new one Still, 1t
appears by the news we published yesterday,
he has succeeded In bridging over this first
d fHculty with his own people by constructing
q Cabinet with Cialdini at its head. But the
end is not yet The aspirations Of the Italians
cannot be long suppr If the King will
not march with them they will leave him be
hind, wrecked on the shoals Of his own weak
ness and want Of foresight. He might control
the revolution and establish the monarchy on
a liberal basis with united Italy, but he will
not be able long TO arrest Its progress
An ACCOMPLISHED FINAScrER rcpublish
to-day some curious testimony taken In June
last before the Superior Court in relation 10 an