The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-11-09
nc Undsra.anaing 1stvesn asrnany ana It.ly.

Various were the interpretations given
to the visit OF Victor Emmanuel to Vienna
and Berlin before and after its occurrence.
1t was, according to some, merely q visit
Of Friendship without the least political
significance. According to others, it was
chiefly ceremonious and slightly political.
1t was entirely political in the estimation
of third class Of critics, and was q demon
stration of hostility against France, and of
amity and protection for Italy. But at
present the greater number of writer's seem
agreed in assigning to that visit the object
of combining Italy, Germany and Austria
together, so as to preserve the peace of
Europe which is threatened-it seems-by
the supposed intention of the French Gov
eminent to attack Italy in order to restore
Italy single handed cannot contend sue
cessfully against France. Italian soldiers
are brave, no doubt, and can display
heroism in the field of battle, but are not
accustomed in modern years to win import
ant Victories, and cannot be expected either
French troops. The restoration of Plus
TX. would be a sore calamity, not merely
to the Government of Victor Emmanuel,
but to Protestant Governments all over
Europe. The act of spoliation perpetrated
on the Goth of September, 1870, when the
gates of Rome, was hailed with delight by
Protestant writer's (who thought the i'm
mediate downfall of the Papacy at handy,
and was connived at or openly applauded
by the different Cabinets of Europe and
America. To these liberal and Protestant
Governments any undoing of that act of
spoliation would seem disaster Of no Or
binary kind. Liberal and Protestant
directors OF public opinion were accordingly
glad to discover in the journey of Victor
Emmanuel an argury of continued misfor.
tune for the Head of the Catholic Church,
and warrant of safety for the Italians in
the event of French Intervention in the
Peninsular on behalf Of the Holy Father.
When Germany and Austria declared
themselves-formal1y or informally, it
matters not-allies of Italy, then--so it is
asserted-it became impossible for France
to defy the united armies of Germany,
Austria, and Italy, or provoke them by
interfering in the business Of the Pope and
his masters. And SO the journey Of the
Italian King was eminently peaceful in its
character, and was laudably designed with
a view to obviate war by a timely alliance
with powerful neighbor States.
However, as the man who threatens
who really "means fight" SO they who are
profuse in declaring their love for peace
are not always to be taken at their word.
What could have been palmer than the
public declaration of the Prussian King at
the outbreak of the late war that he did
nOC tuCcuu W Iake lIOH LILO L FeNCu people
an acre of their country? And what could
have been more resolute and obstinate
than the determination of the same Mon
arch to press on after Sedan, and push his
victory to extreme in order to snatch at,
and retain, two of the fairest provinces Of
France, Alsace and Lorraine? The three
Monarchs who have lately kissed each
other have interchangeable is said-the
kiss of peace, but it is possible that to one
or two of them war would be more accept
able than peace. 1t is, for example, alto
gether unreasonable to assert that the
statesmen, who now direct the affairs of
Italy, would much prefer war with France
| to peace with that country, provided, that
| is, German alliance gave them certainty
of victory In fact it would not be difficult
to find indications that the so-called peace
journey to Vienna and Berlin was not
designated for peace. Would Victor En-
manuel, if peace were only the object,
have delayed his departure 80 long, and
prepared fol it 80 expensivelyP Was it
necessary, for peace purposes merely, to
add to Mipghetti the heads of the military
department as companions of the King ?
The newly ordained helmet, the kisses SO
osten tatiously bestowed on Moltke, to
that Veterans surprise, aud the marked
absence of the two Expresses from the
alleged peaceful festivities, are all capable
| of bearing other than peaceful interpreta
tions. In fact the kissing" business was
too much. Every one knows that all those
festivities and demonstrations were not
necessary for the simple purpose of secur-
Jog Italy from attack. That purpose was
gained the moment Germany pronounced
herself favorable to Italy. From the pub
lished State papers, and from the revela-
lions of General La Marmora, it is clear
that France in her palmy days dared not
continue her war with Austria by reason
of fear of Prussia. and likewise that Prussia
ventured not to attack Austria, until as
sured that France would not interfere. 1t
was, therefore, absurd to imagine that
France, in her present condition, could
dream of attacking Italy, if Germany inter-
posed veto. If, moreover, the object of
the Royal visit was simply peaceful, and
not in any way aggressive, and if that cad
was really attained-as it certainly might
have been attained with ease-by the tri-
pie alliance, then peaceful character
might naturally be expected to appear in
the measures subsequently, adopted by the
Italian Government. In particular one
would expect efforts to have been made or
promised for reduction of the already en-