The New York herald., 1870-09-19
Free Italy.

by our european oeopatcnoe puDlleno0 tnis
morning the reader will perceive that the
union of the Italian peninsula under one con-
stitutional government may be deemed COM
plete. There arc still some hesitation and
distrust on the part of the ecclesiastical
authorities at Rome, but before the united will
of an entire nation and the calm yet firm
determination of its military authorities and
its recognized king, who offers the fairest
guarantees of safety and consideration to the
Supreme Pontih, all opposition must soon
cease Cardinal Antonelli is q statesman,
and he cannot mistake the temper of the
times. Italy, so long divided and by her
divisions so long exposed to foreign rapacity,
demands perfect union and national life In
this she has the sympathy Of all enlightened
races-even of those who are most steadfast
in their attachment to the spiritual authority
of Plus k America has but recently
insisted upon this idea, at an enormous cost of
blood and treasure; Ireland clamors for it
incessantly Germany is just realizing it, with
fearful sacrifices for its fulflment Italy, then,
is in harmony with the age in striving to
become one people.
With the prospect so close at hand of her
success in consolidating her domain, it is
quite interesting to consider what free Italy
may mean, In our day. What she has been in
the past the most brilliant pages of human
annals record. In the old era of Roman glory
her genius for government, her colonizing
enterprise, her military capacity, her high
toned patriotism and her masculine oratory
were the wonder of all cOntemporaneous
nations. Even now they are models, in their
kind, before which the highest intellect does
willing homage.
distinguished by lighter, but even more
brilliant renown. Literature and the fine arts
went hand in hand with trade, and Venice,
Genoa, Pisa, Florence, Bologna, Padua and
Milan became splendid centres of elegant re-
finement, as well as of opulent commerce.
The universities, the libraries, the art galleries
and the superb architecture of those days
were at once the growth and the adornment of
q cluster of republics. Italy was then the
Illuminating centre of Christendom. The
tellectual sway, and, while her adventurous
explorers were traversing the -ecesses Of
Asia and Africa to discover new wealth and
open new channels for trade, the Genoese
Columbus was pioneering the way to fresh
continents
But all this greatness and all these achieve
ments could not compensate for the fatal de-
fects of divided rule. Discords between State
and State brought in the stranger, and Italy,
too beautiful even in her decay, for safety
groaned under the feet of foreign taskmasters,
who succeeded each other, like swarms of To-
Gusts, until the voice of Pho Mono, summoning
aid to drive the Austrian from Ferrara, in
lS47, awoke her to new life. Her struggles
Venetian States were united with Sardinia,
the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchies of
Parma and Modena and the kingdom of the
Two Sicilies, under the sceptre of Victor
Emanuel, are familiar to the present genera
| ton. At last we behold her enthroned in the
seven-hilled city, and announcing herself at
| last nation.
This event, while glorious, in every point of
view, to the Italian race, is most benefcially
important to mankind. 1t means the revival
of an eminent people whose achievements in
every department Of human exertion have, at
different times, for more than three thousand
years, been exceptionally great The seas, the
harbors, the fertile soil, the varied productions,
the delightful climate, the noble scenery,
the physical aptitudes and the inspiring tradi-
tions of Ausonia still remain, and, assuredly,
If any watchword could fire the breasts of men
to worthy deeds, in land of such ancient
and continuous glory, it would be the name Q
"Rome" harmonizing with the keynotes oi
nationality" and freedom" Twenty seven
millions of sturdy and active people-for such
they have shown themselves to be-under a
liberal government; continental territory oi
one hundred thousand square miles and an in
sular surface of eighteen thousand more; one
of the finest central commercial positions on
with Europe, and commanding the entire
Adriatic and Mediterranean, and through them
all access from the west of tho Egean Oar
danelles and the Black Sea; developing again
Gas every expert who has watched her progress
for five years past will testify remarkable
capacity for trade, navigation and shipbuild.
ing with the best planned system of railroads
and canals in Europe rapidly advancing; with
a scheme Of popular education quite as good
as that of Prussia working wonders, although
so recently applied, and with the kindly wishes
of all nations and the enmity of none wha
is there to prevent Italy from taking her place
in the very vanguard Of enlightened progress
Let us believe that such is the result, and tha
the entry of King Victor Emanuel into Rom.
may be the signal for brotherly reconciliation
Of all disputes between Italians on the thrones
and in the ranks, and for the second birth of {
free and happy nation. Yea pItalia, G6ern et