The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-29

much embarrassed. In opposing the popular
movement, or by not going with it aud 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 brave soldier, he shows a want of moral
courage and sagacity in this great crisis. He
talks about his obligations, under the conven-
tion 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 selfish diplomacy
a 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 interests. Napoleon
will not be bound by this one with Victor
Emanuel. By ordering his fleet to Italy, he
shows how little he respects either his treaty
obligations or the sentiments of an indepen-
dent 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 humiliated 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
predicated upon the presumption that he is
really opposed to the 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 ultramontane party, had he
not permitted Intervention against the Italians
to go 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 abandoned
the cause of Italian unity out of fear and
at the dictation of the French. If he had
been wise, and had possessed moral courage
enough when the movement assumed the
grand proportions it has, he would have en-
tered Rome before the French could have
started to that city, and then have proclaimed
to France and the world un tdit accompi. Then
he could have explained the necessity for
taking such a step, could have shown it was
the only way to settle 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-
tiations with the French and other Govern
ments on the basis of what he had done. Such
a course, probably, would have prevented the
intervention of Napoleon. There might have
been some sharp diplomatic talk, but it is not
likely any French fleet or French soldiers
would have been sent to Rome. At all events
BILE unanimity to support their brave King.
He would have become the most popular
monarch in Europe 1t is not likely that Napo-
leon would have made war on the King to
drive him out of Rome and to maintain the
temporal power of the Pope but il even he
should have attempted it, twenty-six Millions
of brave and ardent Italians, with the sympa-
thy of the civilized world to back them would
have been a match on their own soil for
France powerful as she is.
But Victor Emanuel seems to have lost the
opportunity of making himself great and all
Italy united. Perhaps he has been unwisely
playing game in behalf of the dynasties and
against the democratic tendencies of the peo-
pie. He may have dreaded this popular
movement more than the threats Of Napo-
leon or military power of France His bro
ther monarchs may have advised him to stem
the progress of democratic ideas. But, what
| ever may have been the cause of his incom-
| prehensible conduct, he has, we are persuaded,
made great mistake. His unpopularity and
trouble have Just begun, as we see in the diff
Guilty about forming a ministry. The popu-
| lar general, Cialdini, was not willing to enter
| the ministry, for his heart is with the Italians
and their cause He is not disposed to favor
the Kings French policy, and, probably, may
| be looking to the future, when he may lead the
| Italian patriots in war for Rome and Italian
| independence Victor Emanuel has humiliated
| Italy and placed himself in an unpopular and
most difficult position. He did Italy some ser
vice in times gone by, but he has done, proba-
| bly,, all he can do. Young Italy now needs
another chief and leader. The best thing he
can do, therefore, Is to abdieate in favor of one
of his sons Humbertor Am6dee. These young
men have seen service in the field, are brave
and full of fire, and better represent the vigor,
| patriotism, and enthusiasm of modern Italy.
! Unless he should do this or totally abandon
L l. - n. III 4 u
! dynasty may be swept away ere long by the
/ reVolutiOn