Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/612

 574 Readings in European History In spite of the fact that, soon after the war began, Napoleon abruptly concluded a truce with Austria, the work of Italian unity went on, and Victor Emmanuel was able to report important progress in his address at the opening of the Sardinian parliament, April 2, 1 860. 480. Victor Emmanuel reviews the events of 1859-1860. Cession of Savoy and Nice to "France. Victor Emmanuel's attitude toward the Church. The last time that I opened this parliament, in the midst of the travails of Italy and dangers to the state, faith in divine justice encouraged me to prophesy a happy issue for us. In a very short space of time an invasion has been repelled ; Lombardy has been freed, thanks to the glorious exploits of our heroes, and central Italy has been delivered, thanks to the remarkable courage of its inhabitants ; and to-day the representatives of right and of the hopes of the nation are assembled about me. We owe many benefits to a magnanimous ally, to the bravery of his soldiers as well as ours, to the self-abnegation of the volunteers, and to the harmony of the various peoples ; and we render thanks to God, for without superhuman aid these enterprises, memorable not only for our own gener- ation but for ages to come, could not have been achieved. Out of gratitude to France for the services she has ren- dered to Italy, and in order to consolidate the union of the two nations, which have a community of origin, of principles, and of destiny, some sacrifice was necessary; I have made that one which costs most to my own heart. Subject to the vote of the people and the approbation of the parliament, ... I have agreed to a treaty providing for the reunion of Savoy and of the district of Nice to France. We still have many difficulties to overcome, but, sustained by public opinion and by the love of the people, I will not permit any right or liberty to be infringed or diminished. Although I am as consistent in my respect toward the supreme head of our religion as the Catholic rulers, my an- cestors, have always shown themselves, nevertheless, should the ecclesiastical authority resort to spiritual arms in sup- port of its temporal interests, I will, relying upon a pure