The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-09-07
Itaiy's Opportunity.

In the absorbing interest created by the
startling ovents which have lately been hap
pening in France. little or no attention has
! cen paid to the aflairs of Italy When, in.
decd the French troops were withdrawn from
Rome there was short period of cxpocta-
ton thnt Italy would proceed TO take pos
sess On of tha, city; but finding that this
was not done Immediately, there were some
faint expressions of surprise, and then the
matter was d,sm ssed
1t tlrns otu now. however, that the Italian
Government have not been 20 neglected. Of
their opportunity as they appeared TO be
They have been quietly maturing their plans
and making their preparations, and the troops
of VICTon EMANUEL are on their march
toward the Poutfcol territory. A day or
two VIII probably bring the news that the
capital Of Italy has been transferred rom
Florence to Rome-indccd, official notice
Il already been given u the Florentjncs of
the intention to make the transfer-and the
Pope will have to choose between quietly nc.
ccpting the new order OF things and again
becoming a fugitive from his temporal do
minions.
That the Holy Father should accept the
former of these alternatives is the sincere
hope of majority of the faithful in this
country at least They see priests, bishops,
aud archbishops here, all discharging their
duties and exercising their functions without
the assistance of civil authority and they
ask, 81 riously, why the Supreme Pontif
cannot do the same. Let him retain tho
Vatican as his residence and St. Peters az his
cathedral but let him De content to be the
head of the Catholic Church, aud not
strive to be temporal sovereign. Il
can certainly be no real loss to
be deprived Of the burden of civil gov
crnmcnt over few thousand peasants; and,
ss for income, las he no; the wealth OF all
the members of the Church in every land
upon which TO draw? In return. his spirit
ual power would not be diminished, bu;
rather inc. asei, while ono of the standing
reproaches made by Professionals against the
p0pocy-that Of miuistering TO merely world
ly omLition--woull be forever silenced
However this question may be decided
italy, with the accomplishment of its long.
cherished purposc cannot fail to enter
Gloa new era in her history, and
one giving every promise of growth and
prosperity. Tie yawuing zap in the con
tuuty Of Ter territory VIII be filled. anil
Tor tie fret time since the days Of the
C.EsARs the whole peninsula will be united
under one head, and present an unbroken
frontier 10 the world. Protected on all sides
.y The sea and by mountains, she will occu.
~ in tho South of Europe almost ms insular
position as England docs in the North.
The powers she once dreaded the most
Austria and France-hayc been compelled to
lit their heavy hands from of her neck, and
10th arc aow go crippled tina. she can safely
ccGnt Gpoa freedom from future aggressious
Oh their part. She Will no logger be mere
geographical expression, but great nation.
Tho Emperor overthrown in France the
temporal power Of the Pope in Italy at an
IND! Germany CONSOLIDATED What Will he
| the next consequence OF the terrible convul
sion which seized Europe only two month.
ago? Fortunately for us, VIC are but spec
tators Of events, and can contemplate with
out apprehension the interesting panorama
which day by day is uniolded to our view.
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