all not alone be
executed. I claim, at the same time, the incontestible rights of my
cousins of Florence, Parma and Modena, so unworthily robbed by one of
those who signed and guaranteed the treaty. Finally, I require that the
neutrality of the Pope and the integrity of his territory be respected;
for the Pope is my ally, as a sovereign, and as the Chief of the Church,
my Father. The fleet of Trieste will, at the same time, cruise before
Ancona." This noble address was followed by profound silence. The attitude
of several of the bystanders was expressive of doubt when the Emperor
affirmed that the brutality of the Piedmontese aggression would alone
suffice to prevent any one from making common cause with it. The Count de
Thun at length rose. He acknowledged the manifestly just grievances of
Austria, and admired the manly resolution of the Emperor. He then set
forth the dangers of every kind which this resolution would cause to
arise. The army had not yet repaired its losses; the wounds of Magenta and
Solferino were still bleeding. The French would, once more, pass the Alps,
and the revolution, far from being stifled, would be more threatening than
ever.

"If my crown must be broken," interposed the Emperor, "I prefer losing it
at the gates of the Vatican, in defence of justice and religion, than
under the walls of Vienna or Presburgh by the hands of the
revolutionists." "Sire," replied Count de Thun, "whether at Presburgh or
the Vatican, you will always find us by your side, ready to conquer or
perish honorably with you. But allow me to repeat that there is not
question only of commencing a struggle against the two-fold revolution of
the King of Sardinia. If France once more comes to his support, who will
be our auxiliaries? What alliances have we, so necessary in case of
reverse? Our cruel experience of last year only shows too plainly that we
have none; and that Prussia has an understanding with France. And if the
war continues any time, if the revolution throws into the arms of Russia
Hungary, and our Sclav provinces, and gives to Prussia our German
countries, what will become of the great Catholic Empire of Germany? Will
not your majesty have hastened, without intending it, the satisfaction of
that cupidity which is everywhere aiming at our ruin, and the triumph
either of Protestantism or the Greek schism?" Francis Joseph replied by
describing the not less serious dangers which the triumph of the Italian
revolution