The Roman Revolution. THE Republic revolutionarily established in Rome under the auspices of the great patriot Mazzini, and which fell before the overwhelming power of France, most inconsistently exerted, was a noble attempt to revive the ancient majesty of the Imperial City, and to accomplish the independence and union of. illustrious Italy under the régime of civil and religious liberty. Though stained by some sad excesses on the part of its supporters, in itself, the cause of the Republic was pure and sacred; ah! SACRED in the estimation of true and faithful Protestants, and in that of sincere and enlightened friends of human progress irrespective of Protestantism. The Roman Revolution rested on its own merits, apart from those of the other Revolutions that burst forth over Europe at that time; and many persons who were strongly averse to revolution in general, and denounced the revolutionary commotions that raged in other parts of the Con tinent, heartily sympathized with the Roman people in their gallant struggle for liberty, and highly rejoiced at the success obtained by the Roman Republic. Emancipated Italy, formed into a splendid Republic or Monarchy under the metropolitan supremacy of the Seven-hilled City, would be a spectacle of sublime majesty, of noble hope and example. For Italy to be divided into separate States with jarring interests, is as unnatural and evil as for England to be under the Heptarchy. United into a great State one and indivisible, ruled by a strong and enlightened Liberal Government, the Italian nation would again put forth the latent power of its resplendent genius, would eagle-like renew the strength of its giant intellect. Ever since the wolf-nursed hero brothers founded the Eternal City, Rome has been inspired by the spirit of political construction and imperial dominion; and age after age her spirit has influenced the nations of the earth. That mighty influence, fairly and fully engaged on the right side, in the right way, would be a most valuable power to the great cause of human progress. Misused, that influence has long grievously retarded man in his onward march to the ineffable Millennium; used in all truth for good, how greatly would it strengthen him in his forward course, and contribute to ease his present lot. Till the Millennial blessedness comes, it is indeed true, that human beings cannot be freed from sin and folly, and consequent woes and sufferings; but in the interim, very much may be done, and in particular to alleviate the burden of the toilworn indigent masses of humankind, the "Sons of labor, sons of toil, Human worms upon the soil."* Western Asia and Egypt have not only lost their ancient high civilization and imperial power; national honor and independence, public order, art and science, valor, wisdom, and virtue, all falling under the blasting ruinous conquests and dominion of barbarian hordes from Northern wilds; but in these desolated lands the blighting curse of a monstrous depopulation has consummated the evils of their afflicted condition and though these time-honored realms of the mystic and sunbright East are assured of their past peerless glory, present rich romance, and future transcendent restitution, yet this immense evil of ́depopulation is a most special and signal element of their decay, and peculiarly contravenes and * Reynolds. retards their regeneration. So in like manner, "Fair Greece, sad relic of departed worth,"* is greatly impeded in the course of renovation by the enfeebling paucity of her once swarming population. Italy, on the other hand, has not to contend with depopulation as an obstacle to her liberation and progress: for though in Romania, Sardinia, Sicily, and other parts, the number of inhabitants is vastly decreased from its amount in the ancient times; yet, in the aggregate, the Italian population is abundantly numerous. Five-and-twenty millions of a brilliant people, susceptible of the highest intellectual culture, most keen and vivid in temperament, and possessing an immortal heritage of the august renown and works of all beauty, heroism, and genius, dwell in a sweet summer land of which it is beautifully said,— "The Beautiful Clime !-the Clime of Love! Like a mother's eyes, the earnest skies Ever have smiles for thee! Not a flower that blows, not a beam that glows, * Byron. But what is in love with thee!" + That is as to Greece Proper: the Greek nation is numerous enough to resume the Eastern Empire. Bulwer. |