Los Angeles herald., 1891-04-03
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1891.
AN ECCENTRIC NATION.

The several nations of the polite world
have been very much exercised as to the
attitude of Italy in the late rupture OF
diplomatic relations between that coun-
try and the United States. To say that
the action of King Humbert's govern
ment is out of the ordinary run of diplo-
matte incidents, is to put the question
mildly.
Italy presents herself in the novel re-
lation OF brigand power that expresses
fastidious ideas about the sacredness OF
the persons of her citizens. 1t is GER
tainly not twenty-five years since the
American or the Englishman who dared
to venture out of the gates OF Rome was in
danger of being held for ransom right at
the Pincian hill. If the American or
the Englishman ventured on the cam
pagna, he was liable to be never heard
of thereafter and forever, unless blood
money was furnished.
There was scant apology for the dis
appearance of these people at that date.
Their sad plight was generally heralded
bv the advent of a severed ear or por-
tion of the cartilage of the nose, with
the all too plain intimation that sew
cred throat, if the ransom exacted did
not follow, would be the melancholy
finale.
1t must be admitted that, under the
authority of united Italy, things were
much improved for time, but still
there was by no means the responsible
government which foreign countries
might have reasonably expected. Fol-
lowing upon the united Italy which
France forced from Austria, giving to
Victor Emmanuel Lombardy and the
Venetian provinces, Italy's free-booting
raids on the nations of civilized Europe
and of America were measurably sus-
pended, to the great delight OF all man.
kind.
And here comes in the eccentric phase
of the matter. Napoleon the Third and
Count Cavour conceived the idea OF
united Italy--the dream OF ages. The third
Napoleon put his legions in motion, and
the glorious victories Of Magenta and
Solferino followed, with the acquisition
to Italy of Lombardy and the Venetian
provinces, with Austria extruded from
Italy. France attached to her colossal
efforts in. this great struggle only the
conditions that Nice and Savoy-really
French provinces should be restored to
that country.
These conditions were certainly not
harsh. Up till that time Italy had been
the plaything of nations. Under the
inspiration and protection of France,
Garibaldi inaugurated movement
which added the Two Sicilies to the
Italian crown.
Never in the history of international
intercourse was such sensational ser
vice rendered by one country to another.
Austria had held the fairest portion OF
Italy in subsection to the Vienna
directorate. France had thrown her
gauge of battle most generously into
doubtful arena. And yet, as a result,
France, instead of making a friend,
made most implacable enemy. Every
friend of humanity-every friend OF fair
play, would be tempted, in this connec-
tion, to say, "Tis true, tits pity, and
pity tits tits true"
Ever since France created the king
dom OF Italy-the only circumstance
under which such a creation was posi-
ble-the italian nation has pursued
that country with an undertaking and
remorseless hatred. One would think
that, under the circumstances in which
a United Italy was born, it would be
only fair play for this newly created ma
tion to be grateful to its creator.
Yet, as matter of fact, Magenta and
Solferino have counted for nothing with
King Humbert and his ministers. The
father of this dyspeptic king, Victor
Emmanuel, to the last day
of his life, recognized his obli-
cations to the French nation. Victor
Emmanuel, besides, conceded respect
ful consideration to the Oldest Christian
church. He recognized the fact that
Italy and the Roman Catholic religion
were inseparable. King Humbert, dys-
peptic, fantastic and capricious, belongs
to the sgnostic school OF European poll
ticians. He takes a delight in repudi-
ating the friends and the religion OF his
father. No process of analysis has ever
discovered an ounce of the gray matter
which is supposed to constitute brains
in this cross grained and ill-conditioned
sovereign. False to his race and relig-
ion, insenslble to the duties flowing
from the comfy of nations, this hot
headed and impetuous person, unhap-
PLY occupying a throne, may set the
match which will throw the monarch
ical institutions of Europe into confia-
grafton. The real meaning of an Italo-
American war is the extinction OF
monarchy in Europe, at least as lar as
the Latin races are concerned. That
would be an unmixed blessing.