The Sun. — 1860-03-06 (London, England)

RUSSIA AND ITALI  DEBATE IN THE PRUSSIAN .CHAMBERS. The 'Prussian Chamber Was engaged for . some time on. Thursday last in discussing the affairs of It aly. The inhabitantaof Breslaw had sent a peti.• Lion to the house, urging it to assist in the formation of a strong and independent- kingdom of Northern Italy. The commission 'by whom the ,petition was considered recommended the adoption of the " order of the day," but, for reasons which gave efenee to the Roman Catholic and Conservas tire party. The speakers in, the debate may be divided into three classes--M NI. de Prittwitz and de Bonin, Protestant Conservatives, svho defended legitimacy and deplored the attacks upon the temporal power of the Pope; MM. Reichenspetger, de Mallinkrodt, and de Berg; Catholics, who broke a lance for Austria ; and MM. Dohrn, Behrend, do Bsntkowski (Pole), and Baron Vincke, who spoke eloquently .on behalf of the rights and liberties of the Italians: M. DE SCIILEINITZ, Minister of Foreign. Affairs, thought, it. would be unprecedented to. raise a discussiOn on so grave a question in an incidental manner, and a propos of 'ft. petition. ,If the Chamber wished to enter into that debate it would be in accordance with its dignity -to take the initiative in the matter, or wait till an opportunity was offered it by, the Government. M. RetcHENsl't3sGEtt declared himself opposed, to a detailed discussion. He very much doubted whether the petitioners faithfully represented pub--: lie opinion. Last year the Chamber treated the question in connection with a loan. The Deputy Simon, now their president, stated on that occasion that the ietervention of France had destroyed his sympathy for Sardinia. " I do not think," continued M. Reichensperger, "that there have been any events calculated to modify that opinion. In Lombardy, it is true, the double-headed eagle of Germany has been replaced by another which we know; it formerly extended its flight as far as Dantzic, I doubt if the cause of Italy and constitutional liberty have gained much' thereby. The alliance of revolution and absolutism has there been manifested very clearly." The speaker then dwelt on the fact that liberty was suppressed in Italy, recalling the murder of Colonel' Anviti, and remarking that the present Government of the Romagna has been established by 1,800 electors. "The commission pronounces for non-intervention. Does it not know that there are 50,000 French in Lombardy ? Does it wish the French to have a monopoly of intervention, and that Germany and Prussia should abstain from interference if the French cross the Alps ? The intrigues and guineas of England have always played a great part in Italy. The letters of Mazzint to Sir John Adams, at Glasgow, prove it. The patriots who favour an united- kingdom in. Italy forget that in order to obtain that result it is necessary to overturn the kingdom of Naples, and other things besides. The mission of Prussia is to sustain the principles of truth, justice, and legitimacy —(mars of dissent)—and not to aid the revolution. I am confident the Government will not be wanting. Principles are higher than the rights of princes and thrones. if you overthrow the principles, the thrones will be shaken. It will be said that lam not impartial on this question. (" Hear, hear," from the Liberal benches.) Ido not disguise the fact, that my political friends and I have at heart the lot of the Popc,persecuted by revolution. But that interest coincides with the principles I have j ust been speaking of. As far as we are concerned; we are not afraid. The rock of St. Peter is standing. We will not tremble, although destiny should conduct St Peter into exile, or humble him beneath a despot ; and we are convinced that if that edifice should fall it is not only on Catholic heads that it will be pulled down. J. DE. BENTEOWSKY had as much sympathy _ for the head of the Church as M. Reichensperger, but it did not include sympathy for the unfortunate state of Italy. The presence of the French in Italy, has been compared with their appearance on the Rhine ; but the difference is great, since on the Rhine the French did not present themselves as liberators, but conquerors. M. DE