Evening star., 1895-09-16

vention and coalition of the dynasties
against Italian liberation compelled the
French army to return across the Alps,
| leaving its work but partially accomplished.
Italy United Under Victor Emanuel.
The leaders in this italian revolution were
willing, N order that they might disarm
menarchial Europe Of its hostility, to re-
linquish the idea of republic and to ac-
cept monarchial forms in view with repub-
| lioan institutions. Ply the peace of Villa
Franco, which took place in the summer Of
| 1859, all the fragmentary provinces of Italy,
except Venetia and the states of the church,
were united in one kingdom, under Victor
EMANUEL. BY the general voice of Europe
Napoleon was recognized the fiberator
of Italy. The Emperor of France was that
Louis Napoleon who took up arms for
Italy In his younger days. Some thought
he had made some VOW at the bedside Of
his brother, dying in his arms at Forli and
that this swayed Napoleon's mind through
out life. At any rate, he was always the
friend of Italian unity, and worked steadily
to attain that end.
When Bismarck had matured his ambi-
tious plans of creating in the heart of Eu-
rope an immense German empire it was es-
sential that German territory should be
wrested by war from the dominion of Aus
tria. But this power was stronger In arms
than Prussia. Bismarck needed help,
Though under a different policy he had pre-
Vlcusly prevented the liberation of Venetia
he now informed Victor Emanuel that il he
would attack Austria upon the south, while
Prussia attacked her on the north, Venetia
might easily be wrested from Austria snd
annexed to Italy. 1t was purely a selfish
policy. 1t did not pretend to be anything
else. Austria attacked so fiercely by Prus-
STA found 1t necessary to withdraw her
troops from Venetia. She surrendered the
province to France, by whom 1t was i'm
MED mediateiy sI transferred to Italy, which was
OF the states of the Catholic Church.
The Papnl States.
The question respecting the papaI states
now became exceedingly embarrassing and
difficult of solution. On this question Abb
bott, in his history of Italy, says:
'Victor Emanuel found himself in a very
embarrassing situation. There was strong
democratic and infidel party in Italy. led by
such men as Garibaldi and Mazzini, who
We're ripe for any measures Of violence in
reference to the pope. They would gladly
hurl him from his spiritual, as well as from
his temporal, throne and confiscate all the
property of the church. These men formed
the nucleus of strong opposition to the
constitutional monarchy of Victor Emanuel.
They wished to overthrow his throne and
TO establish the government of a radical
democracy. With great efficiency they
raised the popular cry of United Italy with
Rome for its capital
The revolution in France SO reused the
Italian democracy that the government Of
Victor Emanuel felt compelled to take the
lead Of the popular impulse, which had be-
come so strong that it threatened to sweep
them from power. To save the monarchy
1t was deemed essential to seize upon
Rome, fer unless the government should
do 1t the revolutionsts would rise en- masse
and proclaim a republic in the captured
city. Apparently, the only way to battle
the intrigues Of the revolutionists was to
anticipate them in the movement The
agitation in Italy became so great that the
government of Victor Emanuel was inn
pressed with the necessity of immediate
action. There were enthusiastic meetings
all over Italy, calling for the seizure of the
territory OF the pope, and the appropria-
tion of Rome as the capital of Italy. The
enthusiasm was SO general that those who
were in the opposition found it expedient
to keep silent.
Occupation of Rome.
''The court of Florence sent letter to
the pope by an eminent nobleman OF Sar-
dinia. This document, which was very def
erentially worded, announced to the holy
father the determination Of the Italian gov
ernment to take possession of the states of
the church and to constitute Rome the
capital Of united Italy. The pope was as
sured of the profound respect with which
the Italian government did still regard
his spiritual power, and he was entreated
to submit to the inevitable with as good a
grace as possible. The reply of the pope.
which was a very laconic and emphatic
REFUSAL was -RlFef IN 1ormal audience
which was granted the ambassador on the
10th of September 1870. The very next
day the troops of Victor Emanuel crossed
the frontier and entered the states of the
church at three points. These military
bands were SO strong to render any ef-
fectual resistance on the part of the pope
impossible. The pope, conscious that any
resistance would be unavailing, command
ed that there should be only such show of
force at the gates of Rome as to prove to
the world that his realms were wrested
from him by military violence.
'At half-past o'clock on Tuesday MORN
ing, September 20, the Sandman troops
having arrived before the walls Of the
city. opened fire upon the Porta Pia and
breach was effected at the Porta Pia, ana
at half-past 8 it was carried by storm. At
10 o'clock two divisions of Gen. Cardona's
army entered Rome and took possession OF
the city and the struggle ceased"
When the members of the Italian colony
in this city sit down to their banquet at
Freund's Hall next Friday evening it will
nave been just quarter of a century since
the stirring events occurred in Rome which
resulted in the complete unity of the Ital-
ian states.
states, submitted the question of their fu-
ture rule to the suffrages of the people of
Rome, whether they would renounca their
temporal ALLEGIANCE to the pope and become
most unanimous for the change, but the
clerical party refused to vote affirming
that they were overawed by 10000 bayo-
nets. and that the pretended ballot box was
a mere farce.
The church has never recognized any title
OF Italy to the papal states. and it is sup
posed to await the day when they may be
regafned. The last quarter of century
has been one of considerable prosperity for
the Italian nation, and, though harassed by
political struggles the government has new
er been so weak that it could not maintain
all the territory that was gained under
Victor Emanuel.