Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-01-16
Death OF Victor Emanuel.

Charles Albert and Theresa, daughter OF the
Grand Duke Ferdinand, of Tuscany. He
married the Archduchess Adelaide, of Aus
tra In 1913, when war broke out with
Austria, he followed his father TO the field.
At the disastrous battle Of Novara, March
30, lS49, he won the admiration of the whole
army by his valor and pluck. Immediately
after that defeat his father, Charles Albert,
abdicated in his favor, when young Eman-
uel assembled the throne with peace TO
make with an enemy flushed with victory,
and with fierce and turbulent conflict Of
factions to appease at home whilst his alli-
ance with an Austrian princess was regarded
with disfavor Under all these trying and
adverse circumstances the young King bore
himself well and deserves great credit for
his stout maintenance of liberal principles
when surrounded by unfriendly despotisms,
and ruling over a people discouraged if not
dismayed by reverses in the field.
But in the very outset he displayed the
wisdom and sagacity which have marked
his career. In naming his first cabinet, he
acted so wisely that confidence was meas
uraby restored at the start. Then he re.
adjusted the finances, reorganized the army,
made peace with Austria, curtailed the priv
ileges of the clergy secularized church prop
erty, wrested from religious bodies the mo-
nopoly of education, and began the work of
modernization which has done so much for
the land of classic renown. In this great
service to he country, Victor Emanuel
aroused the ire of the Pope, who hurled the
bolts of accommodation against him. The
King replied by issuing protest in the form
of memorandum, and the new era of pro-
gress went on. Under the genius of his
Premier Count Cavour, Sardinia was swept
into the progressive movement. The Cri-
mean war came, and by uniting with France
and England, Italy gained considerable pres
tige in European affairs. In 1859 it joined
France in the war against Austria, and
added Lombardy to its territory, when
Parma, Modena and Tuscany, shaking off
their dukelings voluntarily, became part OF
the rising kingdom. A year later, Garibaldi
aided the King in driving the Bourbon dy-
nasty from the two Sicilies and in June, 1861,
the King of Sardinia became the King of
united Italy.
The marriage of the Kings daughter,
Cotilda, to Prince Napoleon, in 1859, was
followed almost Immediately by the war Of
Italian independence, in which France and
Sardinia took the field against Austria.
Victor Emanuel was now clothed with die
tatorial power and led his troops in person.
Prince Humbert the heir apparent, who
now succeeds him on the throne, though
then but fifteen years of age, was given the
command of a brigade. At the battle of
Palestro Emanuel won fresh distinction,
and after the battle of Magenta he entered
Milan with MAJ oeon III. On the bloody
field of Solferino he found himself face to
face with the Austrian General Benedek,
whom he defeated after severe fight.
Peace being restored further steps were
taken towards unifcation, when the Italian
Parliament conferred upon Emanuel the
title of King of Italy, February Goth, 1861,
which he assumed on the 18th of March
following. In 1866 he acquired venetia as
the result of another brush with Austria
and in 1870 the rest of the Papal states came
in. His capital, which was removed in 1865
from Turin to Florence, was transferred to
Rome in 1871, where the King made his
official entrance July 2d-an event which
attracted wide attention.
Starting out rigid Catholic, and living
and dying in the faith he braved the threats
Of the Pope and fought the extreme ten
denotes of ecclesiasticism with rare courage
and signal success.
The leading thought suggested in con-
nection with the death of Victor Emanuel is
the unifcation of Italy, which has rendered
his reign conspicuous aud for which he will
be remembered and honored.
The good work so greatly advanced by the
deceased ruler will suffer no detriment at
he hands of his successor King Humbert,
Who, in succeeding to the throne, has issued
most fitting and touching proclamation.
pledging to keep his fathers dying words as
to the welfare of the country in constant re.
membrance King Humbelt is thrty-three
years of age and has seen much of public life.
Thursday, the 18th, the time to which the
funeral of Victor Emanuel has been post
poned, will witness the most imposing mill.
larry display that modern Rome has seen.
More than hundred and fifty generals, two
hundred and fifty colonies and eleven hun
lred minor officers will be present. The Ger
nan and Austrian Imperial Princes are ex.
pected Besides the large garrison of troops
now in Rome, ten Thousand soldiers have
been ordered there from other points. These
demonstrations fittingly express the deep
feeling of all Italy, which is profoundly af
lected by the death of their sovereign. And
it is noticeable that this tribute of esteem
is largely of a personal character-not a rec
ignition of an eminent policy which is in
danger of being changed, for King Humbert
will continue the work his father began. 1t
is no mean praise for the Italian people that
they so grandly honor the memory of Victor
Emanuel.
BEECHER To-DAY.-Mr Beecher, evidently