New-York tribune., 1867-03-08
THE MTNIsTERIAL CRISIS IN IT1LY.


. The conflict which has recently arisen III
italy between the Government and the repre-
sentatives of the people, resembles In many
respects that between the Crown and Parila-
ment in Prussia. Both the Prime. Minister and
the representatives Of the people are earnestly
laboring to solve the question OF national uni'y
but as to the best means 10 pfihs
about they seriously differ No one can douot
the lofty patriotism and the superior s'ases-
manship of Ricasoi; but many OF bis lornel
friends and supporters begin to tear .n"'
his novel plan for solving the unity question
encroaches upon the liberties Of the people III
order TO satisfy the aspirations OF natiohaney'
The leading idea of Ricasoli's policy has
been stated repeatedly, and with admiraoie
clearness, in official declarations. he wishes 10
solve the problem of the conflict between
Church and State, which has greater I'M
portance in Italy than in any other European
state, by the accomplishment OF an enure
separation of Church and State. lie lndulges
the hope that the immense advantages whleh
separation must secure to the Church Will DIS
pose many of its leading spirits faYoraoiy 10
the new principle. Ricasoli evidently attributes
a great political Importance to RECOMMENDATION
between Church and State, and considers him.
self thereby justified in making offers TO the
Church authority concerning the eceleslasti-
cal property and the power of the Bish-
obs. which he must have known, to be extremely
unpalatable 10 many of his supporters. But he
was 80 drmly convinced OF the policy anu JUS
tice of h.s plan, that he treated the dissent Oh
the Chamber with naughty disdain. lie went so
far as to forbid the holding Of meetings when
were supposed to enter a solemn protest against
the Ministerial policy.
1t is this last measure in particular which mas
deeply wounded the more liberal members Oh
the Ministerial party and caused 80 many oeSe'-
tons from the ranks of the latter as 10 secure
a vote of indirect censure of the Government
by 1856 Yeas against t04 Nays. AS regards the
Church bill. 40 great was the dissatisfaction
with il in the Ministerial party that the special
| Committee on the subject were unanimous In
proposing the rejection of the political portion
of the bill while the financial portion was
| thrown out by five to four.
From the manifesto Of the Liberal Opposition,
which We published yesterday, it Is not per-
fectly clear which programme the Progressiyes
would adopt in the Church question In case
they should he called upon TO form ministry.
| They would, of course, not violate the right
OF holding public meetings they strongly de-
clare themselves in favor Of universal religious
liberty; but they insist that it is unwise
and unpolitical to leave at the disposal Of
hierarchy, which is known to be still opposed
to the national unity as well as to the liberal
institutions of Italy. very large portion of
| their immense wealth. instead of using it for
reducing tho enormous taxes which are now
being exacted from the people.
The appeal has now been made to the people.
As the election was to take place on the 10th
OF March, the Cable dispatch received few
days ago, which stated that tho supporters OF
Ricasoli had been defeated, was blunder.
But the tenor Of most OF the Italian CORE
spondence makes it probable that RicasOh will
at least not gain at the new election. The
Italian people, while anxiously longing for the
consummaton of their national unity, are
jealously watching the preservation OF their
| political liberty.