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ridicule , for the means of offence are quite inadequate td the fulfilment of threats uttered . - At the first announcement of the proposed Congress the funds rose , hopes were awakened , and coiir fidence partially restored ; but they , have all given way before calm reflection , People begin . to ask what Congress is to do ; what chance it has or permanently restoring calm and contentment to . Italy so as to remove the causes of future , disturbance to the peace of Europe ? To . begin with Naples , which although imheeded , is in the most volcanic and dangerous condition of any of the Italian states ; no hopes are entertained that Xing Ferdinand will restore the constitution he s ^ ore to maintain , _ but imagines
violated on the first occasion . i > o one that either he or his son could ever be induced to lighten , much less abolish , that priestly tyranny winch grinds down , corrupts and annihilates the populations of the two Sicilies . The absolute king , " the favoured of lazzaroni , whose first wife has received «' the honours of canonization ,, and for whose health St . Januarius intervenes by miracles , will be the less likely to reform his Government when he remembers that Russia , the instigator of the -Congress , has all along supported him in his brutal despotism , and encouragedhim in his arrogant resistance to the councils of England and France , as well as in his contemptuous ill-treatment of Sardinia in the affair of the Cagliari .
If we turn to the States of the Church , we find misgovernment greater even tlian that of Naples . What can Congress do there ? Eng land and Prussia , as Protestant nations , and Russia , as the schismatic Greek empire , can offer no advice ; or if they did , it would not be such as Home would be disposed to accept . The reforms , therefore , to be recommended to the Papal Government for their adoption will have to be discussed and settled by . France and Austria . Judging from the amount of liberty and self-government which these twin empires confer upon their subjects at home , it is not feasible that they will
suggest such concessions to popular desires as will content the unhappy inhabitants of the Eternal city and the Legations . What remedy will either Franz Joseph or Napoleon offer to eradicate that black cancer which gnaws into the heart of Roman society , and taints the blood of every member ? Why , not many months have passed since that clever feuilietonniste , M . Edmond About , was obliged to leave Rome , devoted partizan as he 5 s of order and Imperialism , because he wrote in the 3 foniteur of the disregard of life , and ki : i morals of the Roman population . ¦
As to Lombardo-Veuetia , tliere can be no doubt but that the misgovernment . of the inhabitants is rendered more grievous by being enforced by aliens , but the condition of the "Venetian subjects of Austria is infinitely preferable to that of the subjects of native states . I say this in no excuse of the Austrian domination , which nil Englishmen must desire ' to see terminated , but simply to point out the difficulties that must beset the action of Congress , and to prevent too sanguine lipp . es of benefieient results from its labours . If the efforts of plenipotentiaries ,. who arc soon to meet at Aix-la-Chapelle , are to diminish , the chances of outbreak in Itaty , for
prevent it they cannot , they must embrace the whole of the I eninsuhi , for were the Austrians to withdraw from her Italian provinces to ^ mon-ow , the condition of the Neapolitans and Romans would not bo one whit the better ; or , supposing 1 that without abandoning her possessions , Austria were to endow them with constitutional and parliamentary government , and r'evivo the strong local action of the congregations—evidently , the example would bo contagious , Rome arid Naples would chafi ? , conspire and rise , just as do the Lombards now with the prospect of the progress of liberty among the Piedmouteso before their eyes .
There is a strong feeling hare that grout inducements should bo offered to Austria-to withdraw from the Lombnrdo-Venolia provinces , nnd to abandon her reversionary interests in the Italian duchies ; and I am assured that , so grout is the desiro to destroy chances of fuluro disturbances , that almost any sacrifice would bo accepted . Tliuti' Austria should give up what she holds by inheritance , und under tlio guarantee of treaties , would bo foolish to imagine , unless feho received an equivalent . Now , it is thought ttint moans do exist by which this may bo accomplished . It is suggested that in exchange for
her Italian provinces , Austria should receive tlio Danubian provinces , which , in a few yours , would prove of infinitely more valuo to her , and afford that outlet to the soa which is necessary for the development of her resources . The Principalities have , in their election of Prince Oouku , sot at naught tjio provisions of tUo Congress , and their inhabitants would Infinitely prefer to be integrated to a powerful oinniro rathor than to bo left in their present feeble and anomalous condition , distracted by factions , and the proy oi mercenary partisans . Turkey , It is believed , would willingly renounce her nominal suzerainty ibr tjio
security she would obtain . -by the interposition of Austria between her European frontiers and those of an unrelenting foe . To Europe , the extension-of the Austrian" empire to the shores of the Black Sta would be of incalculable advantage . The preponderance of Russia , in those waters would be destroyed , a rival marine would he called into existence , a great-development would be given to a German navy , and , - what isthemost satisfactory feature is , that Russia would be punished in where she had sinned . For it is now no secret that the whole of the present com-The
plications are due to the emissaries of the Czar . first motive was to retaliate iipon Austria for her " base ingratitude , " the next was to sow ill-will between the British and French governments , and the last was to recover her prestige in Germany , and position as protector of central Europe . If she has sought to sow the whirlwind we do not desire that she should reap the storm , but we should not be sorry if her efforts to beget mischief should terminate in the erection of an effectual barrier to the realisation of her covetous views on Constantinople .
Supposing Austria were to accept the Principalities in exchange for her Italian provinces , and on condition of the latter assuming tire liability of a fair proportion of her public debt—which would be no more than just—she would have bequeathed a fatal legacy to France , and not a jot of the danger to Europe from an Italian outbreak would be abated . True , she would have withdrawn from the evil circle , and fortified by the accession of German sympathy , and secure within her natural frontiers , could survey the struggles of Imperial despotism in the disguise of Italian liberalism . Leaving , however , this aside , as well as the inevitable dangers from Central and Southern Italythe difficulty would still remain as to
, what was to be done with Lombardp-Venetia . It would be tolerated that Sardinia should be permitted to annex these provinces by either England , Prussia , or Austria ; and , indeed , the latter power would be fully justified , as well as certain to find support , that Victor Emmanuel should make some concession to the cause of Italian nationality by abandon ^ ing Genoa find tlie territories he holds under the Treaties of 1815 . The nomination of Prince Napoleon to the kingdom of .-Northern Italy would certainly not be permitted , nor is it by any means certain that his cousin would owe his elevation to a throne . The man who destroyed the republics of Franccnndliomeis nut likely to give a similar form of
Government in Lombardyt nor to permit a Parliamentary and constitutional system to rust , so that when the Austriuns leave we shall be as remote as ever from a satisfactory solution of the Italian difficulty . In suggesting the holding of a Congress , it must not be supposed that Russia ' s views were limited to ihe annoyance of Austria and the recovery of her former standing in the op inion of German v . Her chief ambition is to take that revenge of England by means of her diplomacy , which she could never achieve by her armies . The main object of the Czar in getting a Congress appointed is to obtain an opportunity to bring the pretended grievances of the lonians before
Europe . 1 am assured that , so soon as the Italian question is under consideration , an : l before it is disposed of , the Russian plenipotentiary will be instructed to re-enact the part played by Count Cavour at the Congress of Paris . The ambassador of the Czar will pLciul community of religion and being a party to the treaties as excuse for interference , lie , will appeal to the professed sympathies of England for national independence and to her well-known phil-Hellcnism . He will insist upon the logical necessity , when Austria gives her
up Italy , of England withdrawing protection from a portion of ( 3 recce , and of the Ionian Islands being annexed to the main land for their enjoyment of the enlightened , uncorrupt , and patriotic government of King Otho , If this step bo taken , which it is confidcntlj' expected , a very artful trap will have boon laid for the ftritish plenipotentiary , for he will find himself quite alone on the question . It is to , be hoped that ho will remember the answer of another Englishnuui , wlicii ' nsked by what title ho held his hinds "Bymy sword I won it , and by my sword I hold it . "
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POLITICAL MEETINGS . Tim Reform meetings increase rather than diminish . Crowded assemblies have boon held at Leeds , Oxford , Deptford Darlington , Huvorfordwost , Cirencostor , and other important plucos . Another demonstration against the Government bill , and in favour of manhood suffrage and the other " points , " wna hold . In Hyclo Park , on Sunday . Mr . Ernost Jones was the chief orator on this occasion . Ho divided his snoodi pretty fairly between abuse of Mr . Disraeli and abuse of Mr . Bright . A requisition , and also u petition , wore enthusiastically adopted . Tho Northern Reform Union lias imooeodcd in
organising' an 'immense demonstration ., n ' gamst' tht Government measure ; a : vJ . 35 , 000 signatures arc said to have been attached to their petition ; All the meetings did not go for . manhood suffrage ; bui the most moderate demands were household suffrage the ballot , shorter Parliaments , and a . better apportionment of members , to population , the meeting ) declaring , at the . same time , that nothing less , coulc be accepted . In all the large towns the mayor "oi some of the principal inhabitants presided ; and the follpwing places have held meetings and sent , peti tions against , the bill : —Newcastle on Tyne , Gateshead , " North Shields , South Shields , Durham Qhester-le-street , Middlesbro ' , Darlington , Blytb BerwickBlaydon ,
, The members for Rochester again met their con stituents on Wednesday night . This time thej were permitted to be heard , and their expression ! of opinion against the Government Reform'Bill were loudly cheered .
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NEAPOLITAN EXILES . A roKTiox of the exiles landed at Bristol on Saturday . Their reception was of the most enthusiastic character . Mr . Xangton , M . P ., and other citj dignitaries , proceeded on board the vessel , and gav ( them a hearty Avelcome , They passed through the streets amid the acclamations of countless thousands , and the waving of flags and the playing- of bands oi music added to the spirit and heartiness of their reception . A meetino- of the inhabitants of Edinburgh was held on Friday , in the Council Chamber , for the purpose of setting on foot a subscription in behalf of the exiles ; the Lord Provost presided . A number of gentlemen , headed by the Xprd Provost , put down their . names on the subscription list in the room , ' and upwards of 40 / . was realised / before the meeting separated- '' ..
. „ ,. The exiles-reached the Great Western Railway station at Paddington , on Monday , and found a great congregation Of people at the platform ready to receive them . The approach of the train that contained them was the signal for most hearty cheers . The exiles were conducted to the great Western . Hotel , and welcomed and entertained . Mr . Hodge , whose name had been associated with the Orsim plot , appeared to be the master of the ceremonies . He briefly spoke to the exiles , and presented . to them a formal address of congratulation and sympathy . Other speeches were , made , and the . exiles were ultimately conveyed -to the Union Hotel in Crjinbotimc-stroet , assigned to them as their temponiry residence . has been
A letter from these Neapolitans published , addressed to the people of England , in winch they modestly , but decisively , repudiate pubht ; demonstrations in their favour . Norwich , in common with the rest of the empire , is showing its sympathy with the exiles . A committee , formed for tho purpose . of receiving subscriptions to alleviate their necessities , includes Sir b . Uignold , lute Conservative M . P . for Norwich , and several of the leading citizens , of various political opinions . In consequence of the letter which hail appeared in the public journals from some of tho leading exiles , expresing a wish that no public meetings on their behalf should take place , the proposed nt . Pancras demonstration has been abandoned ,
The Right . Hon . W . E . Gladstone entertained at dinner on Wednesday , in Carlton House-terrace , Siynor Sottombrini and Signor Spaventn . '• l . | iere were also present the Duke and Duchess of Argyll , the Earl of Carlisle , the Earl of Southesk , Lord and Lndy Overstono , tho Right Hon . James Stuart Wortley , Sir Walter James , Mr . E . EUice , M . P ., Mr . Lacalta , and Mr . Fantezi . A select circle assembled later in tlio evening , several of the Neapolitan gentlemen bcingaimong the visitors .
Wo notice in the second list of subscriptionsto tho Exiles Fund the following ; -T-DuclieasVif Sutherland , ML ' , Lcted Bolper , 50 * . j Earl of Kilmoroy , 5 'j / . ; Knrl of Ripon , 50 / . ; Sir Joseph W . CopJi / y , J 3 nrt ., OOf ., W . Brown , Esq ., M . P ., 50 / . ; John 1 ' . UW" ° *> Jisti ! , 00 / . ; Job . LocUc , JKsq ., M . I ' ,, fld » . s Willium Uoupell , I- ; 8 q . ; , M . P ., OUl . i T . W . JUiweUo , i > aq ., ROl- i Etirf of Clarendon , 20 / . ; Lord ttirnliniii , 35 / : ; Kirkman Hodgson , Esq ., M . P ,, SflM J . blowaxti Modcmon . K * a .. 2 / 5 / .: Humphrey J >\ MiUhmiy , Esq ., HodgsonEiq . 2 fl / . ; JluuipJiroy * . "" » y » «• *•*
, , W . i H . Mackonzio , Esq ., a .- )/ . ; Btjillord l ' rixjp , Ji j sq ., t . U . \ Duehoss of Clovelund , aut . i M ^ urquls ot Clanrlcurdor S 0 / . | Sir John Boileau , Burt 20 / . ; the Uight Hon . Sir JMvid Dumlas , Hurt . SJOf . » J . X . Urowu Westheail , M . I * ., 20 . ; R . A . falunwy , 3 i-sq ., M . P ., 20 / . ; G . \ V . Norman , Esq ., lJW . j X-W'd Muwulay , 10 / . 10 s . ; Earl Duclo . 10 / . j Lord Ojganworth , Toil loa ; Right Hon . Sir G . Groy , » artM M . P . 10 / . } Sir 13 . iirodie , I 3 art ., 10 / . ; Bumheatl Samuelson , ltau .. M . F . . los . ; ttir H . Murohison , Hart ., 10 / . los ! Henry Crabb Robinson , Esq ., 10 / . ; tho Lord Mayor , 10 / . 10 s , ; tho Master of the Rolla , 10 / , 10 s . ;
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: . .- ™ *™ M , ^ , 9 fi . . . ififiQ . 1 THELEABEE . : ,., _ , __ 39 £ _
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), March 26, 1859, page 395, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2287/page/11/
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