Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-03-03

coma, ne ODtalnc0 the WnefeW1tn 10
build it by sequestrating the estates
OF the idle ecclesiastics, who, thro'
many generations, had accumulated
enormous wealth that paid no taxes
to the Government. So the regen-
Grafton of Italy began, and it re-
quired but few months to show
that the old land that had been
slumbering from the days of Attila,
had felt again the thrill Of life.
In 1866 Venctia was wrested from
Austria by the power of Prussia at
Sadowa, and now while Prussia is
crowding France down in the dust,
Victor Emanuel enters Rome and
makes himself at home in the Quir-
inal; shows himself to the enfran-
chised people on the very balcony
from which the Pope had been ac-
customed to scatter his blessings
from the tips of his fingers upon
those who have knelt before him;
and Italy is free from the Alps to
the Adriatic.
Look at Victor Emanuel as he
stands there, big, burly, bluff, bull
dog in appearance, more fond Of
shooting wild boars in the forests
of Piedmont than attending to duties
of State; gross in his pleasures, yet
genial Of disposition, and caring
more for his comfort than for eti-
quette.
The Pope has cursed him, but it
does not deter him from going on
with the work which he has under
taken of making Italy nation, with
Rome for its capital, nor from en-
tering the palace which the Pope
claims as his own. 1t stands in the
southeastern section of Rome, on
one of the seven hills. Gregory
NllI. began in 1874, Sixtus ",
Clement VIII, and their successors,
added wings and rooms, and adorn-
ed it with paintings and statues.
Urban VIII. laid out a garden, with
grottoes, walks and fountains, and
set up an organ that goes by water,
and squeaks out melancholy melo-
dies. Plus VII lived there nearly
all his days, and the present Pope
usually has spent his summers there.
1t was for awhile the residence of
the Bourbon King whom the people
OF Italy would not tolerate, but who
was betriended by the Pope, who
has been for quarter of century
the grand head center of all things
reactionary in Europe.
In this palace the cardinals have
been accustomed to assemble to
elect Pope, when the chair became
vacant, and probably there is no
other editice in the world that has
witnessed more exciting scenes, or
tiercer heartburnings and jealousies,
envies and disappointed ambitions.
When an election has taken place
and the result has been announced
to the people from the same balcony
over the public entrance, where
Victor Emanuel received the con-
gratulations Of the people the other
day. 1t is doubtful if Plus TX. will
ever stand there again. Possibly
his election will be the last that ever
will be held there.
Victor Emanuel in the Quirinal.
Are we dreaming? How difficult to
comprehend the march of events, or
understand their meaning. l was
privileged to see Victor Emanuel
when he entered Venice in 1866; to
stand near him as he was waiting
for the royal barge that was to bear
him down the grand canal to ST.
Marks, amid the huzzas of hundreds
of thousands of men crazed with
joy. And amid the multitude, in
the grand Piazza, was man who
had lost one arm at CustoZZa, but
who was dealing out Bibles with the
other to men who never till that mo-
ment had seen a copy of the Holy
Scriptures.
Papists in America and in Eng
land have suddenly become Protes-
tants. 1t is not likely, however, that
the 100000 or more Of Italy will
give much heed to the protest of the
Romish priests and their followers
in America. The Italians will com
plcte the work they have begun, and
the world is soon to see the Italian
House of Deputies and Senate en-
acting liberal laws in the old capi-
tai of the Empire. Victor Emanuel
in the Quirinal means free schools,
newspapers, Bibles, liberty and
progress for all the people, onward
and upward to higher plane of
| civilization.