New-York tribune., 1868-01-31
THE CRISIS IN ITALY.

At the beginning of the new year poor Italy
finds herself in very unsatisfactory cOhdition.
Her ally, Prussia, has nearly arrived at the
desired goal Of national unity Italy not only
has not made any progress toward TINS goal,
but the lamentable issue of the Roman ques-
ton, and the weakness of the Government, have
largely increased the dependency already ex-
listing among the National party.
II must be admitted that the task which Italy
has to solve is one of particular difficulty. In
Germany, the Prussian Government may IN
dulge the hope gradually to gain over the
whole nation to its plan of establishing German
unity and this unity being once secured, there
will, in a few years, not be found the smallest
remainder of Hanoverian, Bavarian, or any
other State Rights party. In Italy 1t Is not So
Here that portion of the population which SIN
cerely adheres to the teachings OF the National
Church cannot accept even the accomplished
unity of the country without incurring the CEN
sures of the Church. which they feel in their
consciences bound to obey The Church has
declared again and again, in the most solemn
manner, that the patrimony of st. Peter-that
is. the temporal dominion of the Holy Father
is inyiolable, and every attack upon 1T sacrl-
lege. Should even the National party succeed
in annexing Rome, it will be long ere the
Popes renounce the traditional teaching OF the
Church, and ere the Pdpalini cease to obey
the orders of the Pope. More than once all
the Bishops of the Catholic world have raised
their voice in favor of the Temporal Power.
and there can be no doubt that if the Gcu-
menical Council, which has been cOnvOked for
November should meet, it will give the most
solemn sanction, which the Catholic world
knows, to the demand of the Pope for the
maintenance of the Temporal Power.
The Papacy is-and probably will remain for
a long time-the implacable enemy of Italian
unity; but to judge by the disposition of the
Italian Parliament, it would, without foreign
aid, not long prevent the complete success OF
the union movement. But the Intervention OF
France has evidently disorganizcd and demor-
allied the National party. France, alter long
masking her real intentions, has finally pro-
nounccd a clear and absolute veto. Italy has
protested against this veto, and the sympathy
of the civilized world is with her But what
avails mere protest against the French
army If Italy does not want to rcnouncc for
the present the hope of establishing her unity,
the Government, and the majority OF the ma
tion, have to act with promptncss and energy.
They have to meet the demands of Napoleon
as they have been met in Germany by Bis
marck. This, it is well known, has not
been done. The Government has despond-
ingly declared that il will not absolutely
reuounce the national programme, but will
wait, with abiect patience, until France
wthdraws her opposition. In tins course
the Government has the support oil about
one half of the Italian Parliament
Such conduct could not but precipitate the
country into a crisis. Those Liberals who, like
Ratazi, deprecated a revolutionary movement.
but desired the Government itself TO make, if
compelled. bold stand for the sovereign rights
of the nation against France. have joined the
Party of Action In Naples, Ratazzi is fcted by
the friends of Garibaldi and the chiefs of the
Republican party. An extensive Republican
outbreak has been organized all through South
ern Italy. I'm its struggle against the Republi-
cans the Government will not only not have the
support of the Papal party, in general the most
determined opponent of Republcanism in Italy,
but the Papdlini in the Papal States and the
Bourbonsts III Naples will not be slow to avail
themselves of any opportunity that may offer
for the overthrow of the National Government
Nothing, of course, could be more desirable to
Napoleon There are indications that French
influence begins TO be directly used for undong
even that degree of Italian unity which has for
some time been an accomplished fact. The
Government appears to he more despondent
than ever France asserts that Prussia has
joined her in her Roman policy, and Prussia
takes care not TO contradict the assertion.
Ono moods only IN recall all these well anthem
ticaed facts in order to realize the critical con-
dtion of poor Italy. We fear the year 1863
will have great trials in store for the Italian
patriots.