The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-12
ITALY.
The Troubles OF the New Kingdom-The
ment-The King and the Papacy.

Yhe ErOuDles OK the new kAinSOOm-The
Progress Of Unity and Frcs Govern
ment-The King and the Papacy.
ROME, March II, 1874.
This time last year there was general shaking
OF heads among the nations who are, with more
or less kindly interest, watching the experiment
which is being male in Italy. The experiment is
In truth one OF no small moment to the civilized
world. Given nation which, for over 300 years,
has been subjected 70 every sort OF misgovernment
that can be conceived most calculated to degrade
people. to demoralize them ana to unit them for
the duties and advantages OF being free citizens,
and above ALL for the duties and privileges OF self
government, which, indeed, has never been a ma
ton at all, but mere bundle Of little, despotlcany
ruled States, mere geographical expression, as
Metternich said; let series OF circumstances fall
ing out in the most extraordinary manner, enable
that people to make themselves. for the frat Il me-
. nation, to get rid Of the some half dozen little
tyrants who oppressed them, and to start on
the career OF constitutional and self
governing State; let them nave free stage
and no fav0rs for the experiment, and then let
us see whether 1t be possible for them to succeed
in their attempts whether these slaves for so many
generations can. by simply knocking Off their
fetters be changed into a nation OF free men
these subjects OF half dozen different princelings
ment In question is more arduous one. probably,
than the citizens Of a country which has never
known any social condition but one OF freedom are
able readily to realize. And 1t Is one the attempt
at which demands the most indugcnt and forbear-
Ing consideration on the part of all those happier
nations who are looking on the efforts this young
sister IS making TO join their company. Perhaps
we are all OF us-we lockers at this Interesting
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS too much in hurry for the
result. We look back to the great events which
decided the political union OF the Peninsula and
calculate that Italy ought, wAshin the time that
has elapsed, to have satisfactorily consolidated
that union and trimmed the vessel OF the State
defnitivcy for q prosperous voyage. But Italy
claims that the expectations based on these dates
ought tc be very materially modified, asserting
that The time at which she was fairly started ON
her voyage can only properly be counted from tho
date or her occupation OF her natura.
capital She urges moreover-and this, ct
least, Ia beyond all doubt abundantly
true-that the circumstances under which this
taking possession OF her capital was effected havo
enormously aggravated the difficulties Of her SUBJ
scquent course may again revert to the consider
alton Of these difficulties. for the pressure which
they exercise on every portion OF the social and
political life or the nation and the nature OF tho
efforts which nave been and are being made to
erapp!e with them, constitute perhaps the most
curious and peculiar phase OF the present situation
OF the country But 1t will be best first 10 give
shor4 sketch Of the political situation as 1t exists
at the present moment. M @1M
This time last year. ~ have said, there was q
general shaking OF heads and muttering OF sns-
ter prophecies as to the uon-competency OF this
people for Parliamentary institutions and event.
ua failure IN the attempt to work them. Day after
day the skeleton Of the Chamber met only 10 have
1t declared by the much enduring President, signcr
Biancheri, that the number Of members required
by the law not being present, no business could
be done. The Italian law in tins respect has been
based more on the constitution OF the United
States than on that OF England, save that the
Italian law makes no provision enabling any por-