Pontiff Sovereigns. Of late years many things had
occurred to confirm their devoted loyalty. Above all, proof had been given
that the sacred monarchy itself could, without any diminution of its real
power and dignity, adopt such political reforms as were adapted to the
wants of the time. All these monarchies, already so moderate and popular,
were becoming every day more constitutional. Were they now to be
overthrown? The Mazzinian idea aimed at nothing less. And yet, what would
it not have cost? So many time-honored rights would never have been given
up without a struggle--without bloodshed, if they were at all to be
sacrificed. The torch of civil strife would have blazed from end to end of
the Italian peninsula. And the ruin of the ancient monarchies--if, indeed,
they had been destined at that time to fall--would probably have been
succeeded by more despotic forms of kingly rule.

If, at the time in question, the people of the different States of Italy
had acted in concert, uniting their influence, they would have assumed an
imposing attitude, and might have obtained not only the forbearance but
the aid even of their powerful neighbors in developing such of their
institutions as already contained germs of liberty, in extending
constitutional rights which had long existed in monarchies that were by no
means absolute. In the place of political wisdom, however, a universal
mania appeared to prevail. In the confusion of popular demonstrations, and
the clamor of party cries, the "still small voice of reason" was unheard.
The revolutionary chiefs harangued anew for war, and Italy, listening to
their ill-omened counsels, took up arms against its sovereigns; and so
gave the death-blow to its political existence.

The moderate Reform party conceived a plan which, if it had been carried
into effect, would have been attended, no doubt, with great and happy
results. They proposed to unite all the States of Italy by means of a
Federal Parliament. They directed their efforts in the first place to
promote union between the rulers and the people, recommending to the
former moderation, to the latter a wise forbearance. They hoped thus to
postpone the idea of absolute unity, and of the popular convention by
which it was designed to establish and maintain it. The federal diet, an
excellent idea of which was reduced to writing by the reverend and learned
Abbate Rosmini, would have held the place of this assembly. According to
this plan of