The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-02-01
ITALY.

Prussiar war has erected femalka-
bic change in Italy. The removal Of
the seat of government from Florence
has already been voted upon and APP
proved by the representative body OF
the land, The Pope issues i'll vain his
excommunicatory proc!alnations, and
urunounccs anathema and maranatha
against the dcsccrators of the heritage
of ST. Peter. But the time when the
ban of cxcommuuication withered ana
blasted whom it cursed is no more
The sacred Pontiff is no longer King
over Kings. The Italian monarch
rides triumphant through the streets
of Rome mid acclamations and rejoic-
ings, and hailed By the Roman populace
as il vcritable Emmanuel come to their
deliverance, while Plus launches at him,
from the chambers of the Vatican, the
unavailing thunderholts Of the Church's
wrath.
From the day the French troops em-
barked at Civita Yecchia, Rome be-
came virtually the Capital of Italy
The protecting arm of France with
drawn from around the tottering SOW
ereignty Of the Church in Rome, from
the plains of Tuscany swoops down an
eagle whose royal gaze has long dWelt
upon the splendid prey. Thus, i'll
part. are finally realized the lofty
dreams of such patriots as Garibaldi,
Cavour, Azeglio and Mazzini-the ad-
vocates of Italian unity. Yet one of
these very men, the restless Lord of
Caprera, whose shouts of "Niva la Ii :
berta" and 'Viva Italia" for years has
rung out like the sound OF clarion
over the world; who has devoted the
best energies of his life to accomplish
the union of the States of the Peninsu-
la and drive Pope and Prieet from
Rome, with a seeming inconsistency OF
action, has headed cohorts of volun-
teers in the army of the Vosges against
the very instruments of power that re-
store Rome to Italy. Wonderful are
the changes and revolutions that occur
in the lives of men and nations. Ac
cident, if such an agency be recog-
nized among the causes that mould the
forms of things, oftentimes effects
more in an hour than all the studied
efforts and plottings of King, General
OF Diplomat. Circumstances may di-
rect the destinics of the world, and
make or mar the fortunes alike of in
dividuals and of Empires. But yester-
day, France, without whose consent
scarce q cannon shot was fired in Eu-
rope, was the arbitress of nations.-
To-day, her PROSTATE form quivers at
the foot of q cOnqueror. Her armies
have melted away like snow in the
glance of the Lord, and Victory, tru-
ant to her ancient "pride of place.
perches gracefully upon the dancing
banners of the hosts that beleagucr her
imperial Capital. While this vast rev.
oluti"n is going on, Italy picks forth
the thorn that was fostering i'll her
side, and rises up the Italy as her sons
demand she should be, q fair aud
shapely Kingdom, unvexed by the
wolves that have ever torn her vitals-
a harmonious unity from the Syrecu-
san coast to the Rocky GRAHAM Alps
The first act in the drama is complete;
her union is consummated, and she is
preparing to wheel into line by the
side of those great nations whose ru-
lers her genius aud her wealth have
lowered in other days. AS of old, the
Spolia Opima of the world were borne
to its mistress in Il thousand argosies,
so now in the hour Of her second Re-
naissance shall the rich tribute of its
homage be renewed; and the Theirs
banks and the Seven Hills shall awake
from their slumber of ages to feel once
more the presence of an eNulting and
Astounding vitality. The Italians are
essentially people of progress, and
under a proper and equitable govern
ment are capable of leading the van in
the race of civilization. We have seen
them tunnel the base of the Alps to
furnish convenient channel for the
commerce and travel of Northern Eu-
rope. This, though one Of the great
est triumplis of modern industry, we
expect to see followed by others until
even the desert and deserted Campag
ma shall blossom like the rose, and
Rome, the Everlasting, become again
the pride and glory of the world. y.
s@- George FL. Pendleton, in let
ter, says encourageingly Of the times
and of Ohio politics:
The times themselves, by their very
contrasts, are leading all thoughtful
people to this contemplation. Thank
God! that it is so, for that indicates
an awakened sense of danger and de-
sire to avoid it. Is the Democratic
party of Ohio sensible of its duty, and
prepared to fulfill it? It's struggles
have been severe. Success has been
difficult, if not impossible. a better
prospect now dawns upon us. BY