The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-13
The Roman Question.

After silence OF some days the Atlantic
cable is again eloquent. Matters have not, If
we are to judge from its limitations, mended
in Italy. Italy, in fact, stands on the verge of
revolution. Outbreaks have taken place in
most of the large cities, and though the mill
tary have gained a temporary triumph, the
cities are described as in state OF siege. 1t
is evident that it is with the utmost difficulty
the Italian government are managing to pre-
serve even the appearance of order. So loud
are the people against France that Victor
Emanuel and his government, through General
La Marmora, now on a special mission to the
Emperor Napoleon, are compelled to insist on
the immediate withdrawal of French troops
from the soil OF Italy. They claim to have
proved their ability as well as their DISPOSE
ton to preserve order, and France is assured
that there is no reason to fear further disturb
ance, Garibaldi and the other ringlead-
ers being about to leave Italy for the
United States. 1t is also stated that the
Italian government has refused to accede to
the proposal to submit the settlement of the
Roman question to purely Catholic conven-
tion A later telegram, which we print in this
mornings HERALD, shows that France has
yielded point, and asks general congress
Of all the European Powers, great and small,
to consider and settle the difficulty. The
Italian government is still rebellious refusing
to hear Of congress in any shape or form,
and has issued q counternote to the European
Powers accordingly 1t is evident from all
this that matters are sufficiently complicated.
A crisis of some kind is at hand. There are
many who will doubtless think, and not alto.
gether without reason, that In this instance
Garlbaldi and the party of action have been
rather curse than blessing to their country.
The truth is, revolutions such as that which
they sought to accomplish at Rome depend
more upon moral than upon material force.
Moral results, however, are to be looked for
only after long ages Of moral effort The har-
vest is seldom early and can never be forced.
At the same time 1t Is not to be forgotten that
q time comes 10 the history Of moral progress
when material influences of q certain kind are
Of immense value. Such q time, We believe,
has come in the history of the Roman question.
The material influences required, however,
were not those OF the sword and the rife. The
steam engine in its many applications, the
electric telegraph and the printing press
these are the influences which Italy and Rome
specially need. Properly used they would do
more for the real welfare OF the Italian PENN
sula than the party Of action, with their present
ideas, can ever hope to effect Gsribaldi, how
ovar 10 huf ~, III ,h;Io.onhnr >rJ Mo..;-;
is more empirical than practical. The
difficulties Of the Roman question are
religious in their essence. Intelligence only
can uproot existing prejudice and pave the
way for the grander future. Superstition has
still firm hold Of many Of our fellow crea-
lures. Superstition, however, is fed by igno-
rance. Intelligence, which dispels the one,
uproots the other. Education and the COM
forts or domestic and social life are the things
which are required In many parts Of the mod
ern world Italy and Rome not excepted; but
the best means OF securing these comforts are
the printing press.
II Garibaldi and his friend Mazzini would
only look at the lessons OF the past they might
discover some wiser and nebler means by
which to serve their country. All history
shows us that people must be ripe for
change before they can accept IL and benefit by
it. Garitaldi's mistake consisted in this, that
he would force revolution. The time will
doubtless come when the chief of the Catholic
Church will occupy position more worthy Of
him, and when Rome will be the capital OF
Italy; but that time must be brought about by
class Of influences very different from those
which the party of action have just employed.
Rumuu s~u, S2hecLsA In v;r~t.s.