ef, and that injustice which
succeeds is justified by success. We loudly declare, therefore, before God
and men, that there is no reason why we should be reconciled with any one.
Our only duty, in this connection, is to forgive our enemies, and to pray
for them, in order that they may be converted. This we do in all
sincerity. But when we are asked to do what is unjust, we cannot give our
consent: _Praestare non possumus_."

A little later, January, 1862, Cardinal Antonelli replied in the name of
Pius IX. to the Marquis de Lavallette, the French Ambassador at Rome,
showing that it was by no means true to say that the Pope was at variance
with Italy. "An Italian himself, and the chief Italian, he suffers when
Italy suffers, and he beholds with pain the severe trials to which the
Italian church is subjected. As to arranging with those who have robbed
us, we never will do any such thing. All transaction on this ground is
impossible. By whatever reservations it might be accompanied, with
whatever ingenuity of language it might be disguised, we could not accept,
without appearing to consecrate the wrong. The Sovereign Pontiff, before
his exaltation, as well as the cardinals before their nomination, bind
themselves by oath to cede no portion of the territory of the church. The
Holy Father, therefore, will not make any concession of this kind. Neither
a Conclave, nor a new Pontiff, nor his successors in any age, would be
entitled to make such concession."

The revolutionists, however, could help themselves. It would not be
difficult to imagine the people of Italy, a few generations hence, if,
indeed, the kingdom of Italy be destined to last so long, looking back to
their founders with that same kind of pride which animated the great
Romans when they thought of Romulus and Remus, and the band of brigands
who helped them to found the city.

(M87) About this time the French parliamentary chambers began to enjoy, to
a certain extent, liberty of speech. They could now discuss an address to
the sovereign, and give full publicity to their debates. Inquiry could now
be made to some purpose, whether the Italian policy of Napoleon III. was
sanctioned by France, whether that aberration were national which impelled
to the violation of all right and law, in order to unify Italy, and pave
the way, at the same time, for the unification of Germany. The
revolutionary left of the French parliament, as a matter of course,
favored the Emperor's