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No. 497. Oct. 1,185a] THE IEADEB. 1107
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THE MQNITEUTXS DISCLAIMER. The Moniteur ...
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OPPRESSIVE, UNNECESSARY, AND RIDICULOUS ...
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? Kxoittu Contingent uItX CutftoinH (3 '...
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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.
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The Kingdom Of Upper Italy. Week Af Ter ...
sequently feel that deference is due to his decision as to their future government . They are fully persuaded that he will never yield to the representations they have made , and continue to make to him , on behalf of their country ; but that , in spite of themselves , he will virtually , if not actually , force upon them that government which they doubt not is even now , and has probably long been decided upon by him . Notwithstanding this persuasion , however , they labour on , in order that when their fate is sealed , and the present dream of liberty and unification is dissipated , at least for a time , Central Italy may not incur the odium pf
having done no tiling to help itself and avert the renewal of restricted freedom- Such being the case , we can scarcely wonder , though we may consider it a matter of deep regret , that the States in question do not employ more energetic measures , especially that they do not endeavour without delay to put in practice those which have been decided upon as expedient . Why indefinitely delay the convocation of their several national assemblies , which , it is said , are to be held in the Hall of the Cinque Cento at Florence ? The Convocation is to take place with a view to the election of a Regent to conduct the Central Government until the Kinsr of Sardinia is allowed—if such is
ever the case— -to take possession of the various territories offered him . The actual ruler of Tuscany , Baron Ricasoli , or Farini , the Dictator of Mbdena and Parma , would either of them surely well fulfil the requirements of the office . The strong energetic will of the former especially would be invaluable , and he would undoubtedly be the right man in the right place . . It would be a singular destiny if the Sovereigns of the Duchies were to be restored in any case , whether Austria was victorious or defeated . Such
impunity would constitute a dangerous precedent in favour of the allies of Austria , who would , in this way , enjoy a privilege both unusual and immoral in its tendency—one which is admitted in no human society , and which would consist in sharing the profits without partaking in the loss , in . taking part in the good fortune of a power without submitting to the bad . Their future confidence in Austria would be without lijnit i since her protection would still be extended to them even after defeat , and they would care less than ever for other powers who , in spite of victory , would be without influence . Thence the fatal
consequence would result that a war , undertaken to destroy the influence of Austria , would end by rendering this influence still more complete and irresistible . The grand ducal restoration would be an incalculable misfortune for Italy , for the Austrians would be driven from Milan only to find themselves yet more powerful at Florence and Leghorn . It is felt by many that the retirement of the Dukes and the Duchess from their several sovereignties has gi \ on their people a right of free choice to which the inhabitants of the Romagna , as the subjects of the still reigning Pope , cannot
pretend . There are , however , many considerations brought into view by the Romagnoli themselves , which must be felt by all to bo of great weight . After having for ages enjoyed their own laws and statutes , and made part of a civil kingdom even up to the beginning of the present century , they were placed in 1815 under the temporal govewninent of , ' Pope , in opposition to their own wishes . The wretcnedly-admmistored pontifical rule produced a state of chronic reaction and revolution , so that martial law ,,. and measures employed in other countries as purely exceptional , were-perpetual institutions in this part of Italy . So complete a perversion of . right and justice could not
exist without grievous injury to pubho prosperity and morality , and was a standing menace to the peace and quiet of » the Peninsula and Europe . Every attempt at reform was vain ; the prayers of the people , no loss than the counsels of potentates , wore treated with jUidjflerence , or met by promises of reform which were made only to bo broken . The government of the Papacy is soon to be incompatible with Italian nationality , — -with civil right and political liberty . It is incompetent to defend / tho life , and property of He subjeots , and has , in fact , abdicated its sovereignty and yielded its noblest prerogatives into the hands of Austrian generals , who have for years governed tho civil and military affairs of tho pvovinoes of tho Hoinagnolo . It is only by tho foreign and mercenary arms of Austria and Franco that it is itself kopt
together , and its inability to maintain public order and tranqtullity is patent . Moreover , to numbers of the most devoted and sincere Roman Catholics the temporal government of Rome is substantially and historically distinct from the spiritual government of the Church ; and these varied considerations have induced the Romagnoli to declare , and the friends of order and legality to countenance them in declaring , thai , they will no longer submit to the temporal power of the Pope . This portion of Central Italy has , by its moderation " and tranquillity , won the esteem and approbation of public opinion throughout Europe . With Tuscany , Parma , and Modena it might well be confident of the speedy accomplishment of its wishes , if their fulfilment depended alone upon the order , firmness , and spontaneity with which they have been made known .
No. 497. Oct. 1,185a] The Ieadeb. 1107
No . 497 . Oct . 1 , 185 a ] THE IEADEB . 1107
The Mqniteutxs Disclaimer. The Moniteur ...
THE MQNITEUTXS DISCLAIMER . The Moniteur has at last noticed the persevering and baseless rumours , that the French Government was obstructing the settlement of Italian affairs , in order to procure a kingdom for cousin " Plon-Plon . " The words of the denial are curious , and lead to the belief that one of the unknown articles of the Villafranca peace prohibited such a plan . " It suffices , " says the official journal , " without mentioning the engagements made at Villafranca , to remind the public of the acts and words of the Emperor , both before and . af ter that epoch . " The " rumours , " it declares , " need not
be refuted in order to deprive them of every foundation . " If they do not want refuting why refute them , and why make half-intelligible allusions to the treaty of Villafranca , instead of distinctly stating any provisions that affect the question ? The French Emperor has not been well treated , in this country since his quarrel with Austria , but we think he mi g ht see that a little more frankness would materially improve his position . Victor Emmanuel told the Romagnese deputation to rely upon the generous love for Italy of the French Emperor , " who will accomplish the great work of reparation he has so powerfully begun ; " and Lord John Russell at Aberdeen reiterates his assertions that neither France nor Austria will interfere by force to re-establish the dismissed
potentates . But if this is so , why do not the French and Sardinian sovereigns act accordingly ? Let Victor Emmanuel definitively accept the proffered sovereignty , and let Louis Napoleon and England at once recognise his pretensions . Under such circumstances it is very unlikely that Austria would do more than sulk . The delay and uncertainty damp men ' hopes , and are productive of far more danger than vigorous conduct . The Moniteur ' s declaration may , however , calm our country gentlemen , and enable them to talk at agricultural dinners about short horns and big turnips , and give up the objectionable practice of converting these gatherings into a series of demonstrations against France . Let us have the volunteer rifles without the perpetual bluster . We do not want to live in a war-whoop—it is , at best , an ugly noise . ^^^^^
Oppressive, Unnecessary, And Ridiculous ...
OPPRESSIVE , UNNECESSARY , AND RIDICULOUS TAXATION . [ We have much pleasure in reprinting tho following article by Mr . John Hollingshead , from , the Liverpool Financial Reformer , as we understand it will form the basis of the forthcomin ? Anti-Customs and ' Excise agitation , now organising under tho auspices of Messrs . Cobdon and Bright . Wo have every reason to believe that this now " League , " will be vigorously conducted , and that tho relatioriflblp existing between Mr . Robertson Gladstone ( tho President of the Liverpool Financial Reform Association ) and the present ' Chancellor of tho Exchequer will not interforo , in any way , with tho proposod agitation . ] Wuat a pity it is that our lavish , grand , and heroio Government , should over be compelled to descend from the ^ omewhat popular , and always magnificent pedestal pf Expenditure , and to grope , like boaeplckere , for tho dirty money that supports tlieir state , in . tho moan and miserable byways of Incomol What a pity It is that those infallible gods of ofllce , who provide us with pensioners , palaces * -wars , ma blasts of tho national trumpet , do not in their wisdom provide some moans of paying for these luxuriee , inatead of looking to unwise , oppressive , and oven ridiculous taxes ! The world-govomlug
ambition of Jupiter is a noble and a dazzling thing , until we find it supported by a feather that is taken from the child ' s shuttlecock . We admire such splendid creatures as the Duke of Maelstrom , noblest of all noble pensioners , until we reflect that their pensions must be drawn from vulgar tallow , eggs , and cheese . We admire the charitable thoughtfulness that provides for the humblest menial of the State , until we hear of a number of beds that have been seized for unpaid taxes throughout the country . We lose faith in those gods who are not always reposing in the solemn majesty of temples , but who are found ladling a cup of liquid from a gin distiller ' s vat , or scooping a pound of rancid grease from a cask of Russian tallow . No branches of the national revenue are so suggestive of reflections of this kind as the Excise and the Customs ; and especially the latter . There is no more difference between the right hand and the left , than there is between the debit side and the *» wwi : * c . ;/ i « ^ e + Vir > Wotinnnl " Ralance Sheet . —the
Country ' s Income , and the State Expenditure ;—so that the Financial Minister of the hour appears like the double mummer we sometimes see at a fair , — one half a hero , and the other half a moneygrubbing pettifogger . In this dual character he has two houses , in which he lives and moves ; one a palace , in which we find nothing but the loftiest aspirations for universal government ; the other a shop , an office , or a warehouse , in which the smallest article of produce is clipped , and pared , and sifted . The first is the Treasury ( collectively speaking , ) which watches over an unprofitable kingdom , on which , the sun never sets ; the second is the Custom House , which silently puts its hand into every consumer ' s pocket , feeling that he who is taxed , not knowing how or when you tax him , by being kept in ignorance , is not taxed at all . One-third , and often more than one-third of our annually increasing national expenditure , is provided for by that large trade-riding establishment in Thames-street , London , and its obstructive branches in every port of the kingdom . The British tariff shows an aggregate of 460 articles , which produce an annual revenue exceeding £ 23 , 000 , 000 sterling ; but out of these 460 , there are 439 that might at once be taken out of the list , and the loss ( if any ) to the Exchequer would only be about £ 600 , 000 . We raise statues to Sir Kobert Peel ; we read leaders , and we hear speeches that complacently talk of tree Trade as if it was a great accomplished fact ; and yet , in the face of these rejoicings , 439 articles are retained in the tariff ( many of them under protective duties ) , though they are comparatively unproductive as sources of revenue . No wonder , where such a policy reigns , without any attempt at reform , that 16 , 741 persons , including the Coast Guard * ( according to the Parliamentary Returns for 1857 ) are employed in the collection of the Customs' and Excise Duties ; or that to raise £ 70 , 552 , 145 for the State , in the year ending March 31 st , 1856 , cost the country , directly and indirectly , the astounding sum of £ 104 , 221 , 920 additional ! t . 'The twenty-one articles that produce over twentytwo-and-a-half-millions arc sopn enumerated : — . i & T :: :: :: :: :: ' 8 K 8 2 « . I MeTi :: :: :: :: :: ] w , < m o 2 , 8 : gSfcu :: :: :: :: . . *®™ 7 l \ «" I : liffi ; : :: :: :: :: Jfrf j 1 > . Bilk Manufacture .. .. ^ MJ * " , ' . * £ 10 . Spirits , —Hum ^ ' ^ h I 11 llrantlv .. fOiS , i > t 7 o * ; B-frr . uKg & :: ; * ffi « 8 » g a ;; SSL :: :: :. >™ $ j \ i « 17 . Tobacco ' I 0 , 37 ^ , ' 171 n 1 16 . Snuff ' ¦ , .,,,, » ,,, n 4 1 U . Wluu .. .. .. , Wfu « o 7 W > . Wuod .- . DoulH , * o SJ j iwWJ * , jil . Timber , mjhhwu :. tn > , \ m » * & M , MI , 717 VI 1
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 1, 1859, page 15, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_01101859/page/15/
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