Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 27th September 1851, Edition Country of 2, Page 3

Page 3
Page 3
3 of 24

On this page

  • Text (3)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      The Friends Of Italy. The Society Of The...

      " To those duties you will ever prove faithful , assured of the sympathy of all Peoples . * . « It is for us to spread the knowledge which wiH more and more increase that sympathy amongst the British People . M ,, . .. tf In this grateful labour your favourable appreciation will remain with us as an encouragement to constantly increasing exertions in a noble cause . " I have the honour to be , Gentlemen , on the part of the Committee of the Society of the Friends of Italy , yours most faithfully , James Stansfeld . " September 15 , 1851 . "

      We have one word more to say on this very gratifying page in the early history of the Society ' s proceedings . We have heard it whispered that this manifestation of Italian sympathies on the part of the Sardinian workmen , gave umbrage to certain official and diplomatic authorities , and that the gentleman in charge of the commission was instructed to rebuke them for a proceeding which , being of a political nature , was " out of order , " contrary to the express injunctions of the King ' s Government . The rebuke was accordingly administered—not without provoking a reply , which , for its dignified independence of feeling , tempered with

      moderation of tone , nobly avenged the honour and the generous sympathies of Sardinian patriotism . They expressed a painful surprise and even indignation , that " a society of English gentlemen should be thought to be more Italian than Italians themselves . " We could wish that this unfortunate misunderstanding , which we give as we have heard it , might be satisfactorily explained , or , if possible , denied . It were the greatest misfortune for the House of Savoy in the critical and delicate position it has occupied since the ill-starred campaigns of Charles Albert to betray any hesitation , any arriere-pensee , in accepting the great cause of Italian

      independence . " King " must be merged in " Country ' ; Piedmont" in " Italy" in the presence of Austria . If the young King would conciliate loyalty , he must himself be loyal . We do not doubt him : we do but caution his advisers . The Italia e Popolo , a liberal paper of Genoa , watches and reports with great interest the growth of this society . It contrasts the support offered by the English society with that urged upon Italy by * ' France and its Latin Committee , " the Italian-French-Spanish Committee recently established in Paris . " The

      aid offered by the English citizens is moral , leaving the direction of the movement to the Italians themselves ; the French ignoring the Italian leaders , avowedly desire « o unite the Italian revolution to the French Revolution . We Spaniards and Italians ask of the French that they should define that which France means to give us ; because the French know what it is that we Spaniards and Italians have had at their hands . If the English society was inspired by Italians , it was by loyal and disinterested men , who act for Italy . " _ . ... has recentl

      Another very gratifying recognition y been given at Turin to a member of the committee of the Society , who happened to be passing through that city . As soon as his presence was known , he was visited by many of the most influential persons in the city , and by all the distinguished refugees and exiles ; and an address was presented to him , which deserves attention for its significant allusion to the necessary union of political and religious freedom . We recommend it to the consideration of the Evangelical Alliance . The signatures render the address doubly valuable as they embrace the names of many of the most gallant leaders in the late struggles of the Itoman Republic , representatives of the Roman National Assembly , and deputies of the existing Piedmnntesc Chambers .

      " Tuiun . << Xo , Member of the Society of the Friends of Italy . " Italy has witnessed with the most lively gratitude the formation of a society in generous England which proposes to promote a just appreciation of the Italian question , and to take all measures to promote in Parliament the cause of the national independence of the enslaved Peninsula . Amid the evils which have for ages oppressed our nation , and the political and religious slavery which weighs upon us , we could not find better advocates for our cause than the inhabitants of a country which first led the way in the path of liberty amid European durkness , and which enjoys as a reward an unfalsiiied interpretation of the word of C 3 od .

      " The undersigned , who have had the good fortuuo to make your personal acquaintance , would tuke this ineunu of attesting their gratitude . " They propose shortly to furnish the Society of the Friends of lialy with documents tending to demonatrate the true character of the terrible condition !* imposed upon them by the cruelty of fortune ; meanwhile addressing to you these brief words accoinpunied with their fraternal benediction . " Will you , Sir , make known in England the sentiments of your devoted and obliged servantH ,

      " Carlo Uusooni , Ex-Foreign Minister , Rome . ii . Pinna , Lieutenunt-Colonel , Home . O . Gajani , Ex-Deputy , Home . 1 'ihtro ltoHi-: i , i , i , General-in-Chief , Koine . L . Carpi , Ex-Deputy , Rome . Caiii . o Mayk , Ex Minister of the Interior , Rome H . Anan , Ex-Deputy , Rome . P . Colmjia , Ex-Deputy , Rome . L . Coocanaui , Ex-I ) eputy , Rome .

      A . Tassetti , Ex-Deputy , Rome . G . Mahzaki . G . Monti , Colonel , Piedmont . N . Coletti . A . Borgio , Lieutenant-Colonel , Rome . A . M . Stefani . L . Marcocci , Ex-Deputy , Rome . A . AGiiEBERT , Military-Intendent , Rome L . Ceccarini , Lieutenant-Colonel . A . Cattabeni , Ex-Deputy , Rome . N . Carcani , Ex-Deputy , Rome . G . Lions , Deputy , Piedmont . "

      The Second Tract of the Society has just been published . It is " The Charge of Terrorism in Rome during the Government of the Republic refuted by Facts and Documents . The Documents furnished by Mr . Mazzini . " This Tract claims the earnest attention , not only of all members of this Society , but of all impartial readers of contemporary History , ¦ wh o are anxious for truth and fact in the midst of the falsehoods and calumnies of the French Reaction , reiterated by a venal press . Our own readers may remember that in our number of August 9 th ultimo , we answered , in an article headed Rome and the Reaction , " many of the current aspersions on the

      Roman Republic , which in this Tract are taken up at greater length , and refuted by official documents , and unimpeachable , independent authorities . We cordially echo the hope and the belief expressed in the Preliminary Note by Mr . Mazzini , that this Tract will be made available by the " friends of Italy , " and with men , friends or foes , of good faith , set the question at rest . " They will be ready to acknowledge in the closing words of the Tract , that the brief epoch of the Triumvirate was the highest example of ability and virtue which modern democracy has yet

      exhibited , and a phenomenon of all but unparalleled interest and promise in modern political history . " We have only to add that the secretary of the society is at present in Scotland , engaged in actively promoting the society ' s objects . His despatches to the central office are full of hope and interest ; and his unremitting exertions seem to promise an abundant harvest of new friends in a country which has ever been foremost in every noble- cause . Father Gavazzi , who has been received with enthusiasm throughout Scotland , has promised two lectures for the benefit of the society . He does well to bear personal witness to the idea of Italian unity .

      Sept. 27, 1851.] Fffh 3lta%Tt* ____„ 911

      Sept . , 1851 . ] fffH 3 Lta % tt * ____„ 911

      The New Austrian Loan. In Spite Of The •...

      THE NEW AUSTRIAN LOAN . In spite of the highly favourable terms " offered by the haughty House of Hapsburgh to the money lenders of Europe , the Austrian loan , considered as a financial scheme to bolster up the sinking credit of the Bank of Vienna , has proved a complete failure . The most extraordinary exertions have been made by the paternal Government to persuade the wealthy members of the Hebrew faith to lend their aid to avert a national bankruptcy , but with very indifferent success . The astute writer of the money market article in the Times of Monday plainly indicates the tottering condition of Austrian credit : —

      ' The mercantile advices from Vienna are of the 16 th instant , on which day the subscriptions for the loan would virtually close , the oflYred bonus of two per cent ., being thenceforth reduced to one per cent . The amounts subscribed at Frankfort , Holland , and l ' aris had thus far not been announced ; but there was little doubt they would be small , and already the stock was offered at \ discount , most probably without the possibility of effecting sales to any extent whatever . The amount subscribed at the Bank up to the preceding day was £ 1 , 100 , 000 , and at the communal council £ 800 , 000 . The entire loan , it will be remembered , is to be £ 8 , 500 , 000 reckoned in paper , or about £ 7 , 000 , 000 iu specie . Even if the whole should be raised , unless the proportion taken by foreign countries be large , it must fail to restore tin ; position of the Bank

      ao as to improve the depreciated currency , while in the event of the subscriptions actually falling short , it will be a severe additional blow to the credit of the State , since the exertions used have been of an unprecedented kind , and such , indeed , as to impart Home of the characteristics of a forced contribution . The artificial action upon the exchanges by the operations of the Government through their banking agents , has been such that little value could be placed upon quotations . Thus when the rate 11 3 ' , l was quoted a few days back , it was notorious that as far as legitimate operations were concerned , the true price would have been 11 . 'Jo " . Subsequently the telegraphic quotations have indicated a still worse condition of the market , and it would , therefore , appear that , the . whole of these transparent arrangements have proved in a great degree abortive . "

      lhe " position of the Hank , " to which the Times alludes , is an exceedingly awkward one , as the Hebrew financiers of tho Continent are , thoroughly iiwure ; and hence their unwillingness to exchange good money for worthless coupons . The amount of puper-money in circulation in Austria , is ubout £ 'M , 500 , 000 , aguiiiHt which tho Bank has only about £ ; S , 000 , GOO in gold . It is true that there in a floatiii » debt of ^ 22 , 600 , 000 owing by the Government to tho Bank ; but of course that would not bring much in tho prenent stale of the market . One great udvuiitngo of the Htorm of IK 18 wan that it threw considerable light into tho palpable

      obscurities of Austrian finance . Everybody knows that , in 1811 , the Austrian Government became bankrupt , and that its creditors could not obtain a composition of more than 4 s . in the pound ; but very little was known , till within the last three years , of the deeply embarrassed condition into which the affairs of that country had once more fallen . The London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian , gives a brief statement of affairs up to the end of last year , w"hich must appear very alarming to those who have been silly enough to lend their money to such a bankrupt concern .

      " From an article in the Cologne Gazette , it appears that in 1849 the annual expenditure , including the interest on the National Debt , was 2 S 3 , 864 , 174 florins , rather above £ 28 , 000 , 000 , while the revenue was only 144 , 003 , 658 florins , or little more than £ 14 , 000 , 000 , thus leaving a deficit nearly equal to the entire revenue of the Austrian empire . Last year the revenue had risen to about £ 16 , 000 , 000 ; but as the enormous expenditure still continues , the deficit for last year would probably not be less than £ 12 , 000 , 000 . What an alarming state of things for one of the largest powers of-Europe to be in ! Only fancy Sir Charles Wood coming forward next February to announce , that , owing to the very large army , the increase of the National Debt , and other necessary expenses , the expenditure for 1 S 52 would be

      about £ 40 , 000 , 000 above the probable income , and that it would be necessary to raise the trifling loan of some £ 30 , 000 , 000 'to make things comfortable' for next year . This looks very monstrous and absurd , certainly ; but it would be quite a parallel case to that of the present Viennese loan . The Austrian Chancellor of the Exchequer is running behind at the rate of £ 12 , 000 , 000 a year , and he seeks to borrow £ 7 , 000 , 000 , which , supposing he were to succeed , would just leave the deficit so much the greater next year . With a stable Government there might be some chance of getting out of this frightful state of things ; but with a country in such a condition as Austria appears to be in , national bankruptcy is the only alternative . "

      Among those who have lent their aid to Austria in the midst of its embarrassments , we see that the house of Rothschild is said to have taken 5 , 000 , 000 florins of the loan . This must have been the Continental house of that name . We can hardly believe that the representative of the city of London would lend money to the Austrian despot , to assist him . in crushing freedom in Hungary and Italy . The trade in salt between Lombardy and Austria has been prohibited , because the Italian traders purchased the salt with Austrian paper , and then resold it in Italy for silver . In Venice and Lombardy there is a metallic currency , and very little or no paper money at all .

      The Platitudes Of Palmerston. Tiverton R...

      THE PLATITUDES OF PALMERSTON . Tiverton rejoices in its noble member , and its noble member rejoices in Tiverton . Lord Palmerston is great among his constituents ; he does honour to the name of Temple . On Tuesday his lordship left tho Foreign-office behind him , and reached the haven of the West—not for " election purposes , " oh no , but for a convivial interview with the people of Tiverton , who see in him at least one of the minor gods . On Wednesday they gave him a dinner . Everybody was agape for " revelations" of Cabinet secrets and Cabinet intentions . The new Reform Bill was to ooze out diplomatically ; Lord John was said to have

      deputed to the task the adept of Carlton-gardens . But no . After dinner of course speeches were made . The noble member replied to the toast " Her Majesty ' s Ministers , " telling the gentlemanly diners that hitherto those personages had safely conducted the noble " vessel of the State , " and carried it through the storms " with its tackle in good order , with ita crew healthy , cheerful , and contented . " Happy novelty of metaphor ! The " vessel of the State will never wear out . Of course the crew are " Her Majesty's Ministers , " of whose health , cheerfulness , and contentment , we are happy to hear officially so good an account . Then came the toast which was to elicit the secrets

      — " Lord Palmerston and Mr . Heathcoat . " But no secrets were divulged . Lord Palinerston treated bin hosts to an eloquent oration upon matters as public us Lord Palinerston himself . lie touched on 18 . 02 and hazarded the prophecy that that year will pass over without any of those calamities anticipated by gloomy minds . He praised the Exhibition ; he told his hearers how it is that order is preserved in England ; he artfully ran over the topics of reforms from the Test Acts repeal to Corn Law repeal ; he defied anybody to make the poor rich by legislation , and be declared that there " must be a very unequal distribution of the goods of the world among the people of the world . " Lie told the farmers that if corn was

      cheaper it cost less to produce it ; and said that in tin . long run it must be a question between landlord mid tenant . He described tho " functions " of tin ' s great empire ; and this is the only nmrvel north quoting ! " I think our functions arc , first- of all , to ¦;<¦( an example to the world of humanity , of enlightenment , <> i order , and of good conduct , both in public and piivate . I think in the next , place ( hat it in our duty- the duty , 1 mean , of this nation to employ that influence which a great , and powerful country like ' this uhvayn possesseH , for the purpose of promoting a "' securing peace among the other imtioiiH of tho world , and endeavouring , aa far aa wo can

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 27, 1851, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_27091851/page/3/