The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-18

Our special correspondent in Florence, writ
ing from the capital Of Italy under date Of the
Both of August supplied the interesting and
valuable exhibit Of the condition Of the king
dom-political, industrial and social-which
was published In our columns yesterday. The
facts as set forth were derived from no less an
authority than Prime Minister Menabrea during
personal interview, at which the actual posi-
ton Of the ancient and classic land, Its modern
hopes and aspirations, with the material pro-
gress of the New World were reported and
commented on vipa 1000 and with an entire
freedom from cabinet etiquette or personal
restraint.
General Menabrea ranks considerably above
the present average of Italian statesmen, not
only in depth of thought and scope of intel
lect but also in executive appreciation Of the
material progress of the peoples in all parts Of
the world, desire to obtain correct informa-
ton from abroad, and wish to utilize such
knowledge to the benefit of his countrymen.
Proof of this will be found In the predatory
paragraph of the dialogue in which, with all
the earnestness and volatility Of true Savoy
ard, he referred to the changes which have
taken place in the United States since the
termination of the war for the Union-the
emancipation of the negroes, their disposition
to work as freemen, the capacity Of the race
for higher civilization, the probability Of
future antagonism between the Caucasians and
Africans on our soil, the great energy Of our
people, their citizen difficulties, and, although
last in order not least in emphasis, the Pacific
Railroad, its rapid construction and the marked
influence which its working will exert on the
commerce Of the nations. The HERALD cor
respondent was quite up to the occasion.
Assured of this the Premier proceeded to
touch the home situation in Italy. He spoke
of the army and navy-the first named not
being, he said, by any means too large-the
agencies which are tending to the complete
unifcation of the country, as well as the
influences which retard it. One Of the latter,
geographical and by nature, he said, was to be
found in the fact that Italy 'lives next door
neighbor to two colossal Powers both armed
to the teeth" and if she ''were not armed" she
would close her ground" He classed the
army as sort of Involuntary national school
for the Italian youth, concluding his compare
son in this respect, however, by acknowledging
the superiority Of the American system Of
public schools In finance the country Is
improving Count Menabrea took credit, and
very justly, for the encouragement which has
been given by the Italians to the great works
of the Mount Gents Tunnel and Railway,
expressing the idea that their united opera
ton will finally neutralize the barrier which
the Alps has hitherto interposed, not only to
commercial intercourse but to popular every
day communion of Italy with the surrounding
countries. The textile fabrics and general
manufactures of the kingdom were spoken Of
General Menabrea calling attention to the fact
that he was at the moment clothed in the pro-
duct--rough in texture and of sombre color
of native lOOms-an assurance OF his patriot
ism almost similar to that given by a great
Irish agitator when he said, in reply to
public question on the subject, ''Yes, sir, my
coat is of Irish manufacture, and the chap
that's in it foo." On the matter of the future
capital the General treated the subject of
Rome delicately, but with hope, saying he
supposed "Rome will be the nominal capital
after while" The cause Of the ex-King Of
Naples, as well as the claims OF the royal ex-
Grand Dukes and ex-Grand Duchess, for
restoration, he regards as hopeless. The
writer observed that Pope Plus the Niath and
| Garibaldi-even politics produce strange bed
| fellows-rank as the most violent enemies of
Menabrea and King Victor Emanuel in his
public capacity, and that Napoleon the Third
rates az his most powerful friend in exalted
| position. Sectional differences, evidently,
hamper the Italian policy, and inherited preju-
dices of birth and class-such as prevail to a
very great extent in Great Britain-do much
towards preventing an aggomeratsd national
fusion.
| All these matters will be more patent to our
| readers after perusal Of the correspondence.
| Its production affords fresh testimony Of the
vast and increasing influence of the great daily
newspaper press. Here we have one Of our
writers superseding, almost completely, Ia a
single communication, the red tape routine of
Washington diplomacy. The readers of the
HERALD know all about the Italy of to-day,
the report being taken from the lips Of one of
her leading statesmen. Another of our special
correspondents short time ago portrayed
the situation of Prussia and United Germany,
as given by Count Bismarck in dialogue form
with the writer in Berlin. The intricacies of
German politics were thus made patent to the
American people by our enterprise. We
painted the Italian yesterday
It Is progress, science, judgment and care,
Q combination which cannot fail, and the use
Of which, aided by steam, the electric tele-
graph, overland and submarine, the Suez
Canal, the Mount Gents Tunnel, and such like
works that will soon enable us to place before