The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-24 00:00:00

THE INSURRECTION IN SPAIN.

( Prom the Times' Correspondent.)
PARIS, TUESDAY, JULY 22, 6 P.m.
The despatch of yesterday's date from St. Sebas-
tian, transmitted to you this morning by telegraph,
shows the probability that the whole of Spain will
very soon be submissive to the new government. It
is likely enough that General Falcon, finding that
he has no support to expect from Catalonia or the
northern provinces, will come to terms. Letters of
the 18th from Logrono represent that town as hav-
ing the appearance of a camp, the National Guard
being all under arms, and having been joined by
those of Navarrete, Najera, and some other place.
General Gurrea had just arrived there to take the
command, but we know already that these prepara-
tions had no result, and that troops had entered
Logrono unresisted. When Falcon learns this, and
and that on all hands O'Donnell is in the ascend-
ant, he will probably give in, stipulating, perhaps,
for the restoration of his rank and honours, and
impunity for those who have stood by him in his
preparations for resistance. There are reports of
his troops having abandoned him, but nothing posi-
tive is known from Saragossa ; and the telegraph
is still interrupted there, which shows that the
authority of the Madrid Government is not yet re-
cognised in the place. Nothing further is known
of Espartero, whose wife continues at Logrono.
There is no confirmation of the statement that 85
members of the Cortes had assembled at Saragossa.
At Madrid some arrests have been made, including
that of Senor Madoz. The intelligence to-day re-
ceived from Spain is generally meagre, and of
slight interest.
It has been said that the officers of the army and
navy in Madrid at the time of the conflict, and
who had not presented themselves to the govern-
ment to offer their services, are to be brougt to a
court-martial. Among these would be Zabala,
Santa Cruz (Francisco), Lujan, and various other
persons of note. But the statement is not strictly
correct. They have been declared liable to be
brought to a court-martial, but the probabilities are
that nothing will bo done to them, beyond leaving
them without employment. Wolves do not eat
one another, and the ups and downs of political
life are so frequent in Spain that it is convenient
and only prudent to show moderation in victory.
The fate of these officers to-day may be that of
O'Donnell's friends to-morrow. In the meantime,
the turn out of employes, which is usually conse-
quent on a bouleversernent of this kind, has com-
menced, and the Gazette of the 18th contains nu-
merous depositions and appointments. Embar-
rassed whom to select for Civil Governors of pro-
vinces, the Government has appointed the Mili-
tary Governors to act ad interim.
The details of the collision that took place in
Madrid between the troops and National Guards
are not very precise. It appear 3, however, that
the latter fought without leaders, but remained
together, particularly the more democratic sections.
I regret to find it generally admitted that Espar-
tero was far from being equal to his position or to
his duty during the crisis. His popularity has
been indeed fatal to the Liberal party. He has,
it is said, asked for Logrono as his residence.
Two years of representative government in Spain
—years of difficulty and peril, but not totally with-
out honour and patriotism—have perished in a
single day ! The coup d'etat planned in the
Palace, often announced as on the point of realis%-
tion, and as often as solemnly denied in the name
and on behalf of the Queen, and by none more
solemnly and emphatically than General O'Donnell
himself, who repeatedly declared in the Cortes that
his head would be the first to fall if the reactionary
party triumphed, has at last been accomplished.
Concocted in the Palace itself, it was easy to give
it the semblance of legality, but no one will he the
dupe of its hypocrisy. On the ono hand, Espar-
tero, with the whole of the Ministers, is forced to
quit the Government ; on the other, O'Donnell,
who stood out alone in opposition to all his col-
leagues, is invested with the confidence of the
Crown, forms a Ministry in the middle of the night,
and takes his new colleagues from an almost imper-
ceptible minority in the Chamber—a minority that
was only known by its undisguised hostility to the
Constitution which a Constituent Cortes had just
voted. Military precautions had, as I have already
shown, been taken during the same night to sup-
port the conspirators in the design, and to crush
all resistance. That resistance lasted, however,
under adverse circumstances for nearly two days ;
but the result was what might have been expected
when Madrid was the theatre of the struggle.
A comparison between two such men as O'Don-
nell and Espartero can hardly be made. Whatever
be his merits or his shortcomings as a political
man, Espartero is still the honest citizen, the paci-
ficator and liberator of his country. Regent ana
Dictator of Spain, he descended from his high place,
quittedjpower, and went into exile, rather than vio-
late a siegle article of the Constitution to which he
had sworn. His exile was spent in England, whore
he learned the practice, as he had before admired
the theory, of representative government ; and his
greatest ambition was to endow his country with
it. Espartero long occupied the highest posts to
which a subject could aspire ; yet he is a poor
man, and he has not only refused all recompence
which a grateful nation desired to confer upon him,
but he has never touched a real of his salary as
President of the Council.
The perEonal courage of O'Donnell is unquestion-
able, but it is not so much to that ordinary quality
that he owes his brilliant career as to the favour
and protection of Espartero, who in 1838 appointed.
bim Chief of his Staff. In 1840 O'Donnell em-
braced the cause of Maria Christina against the
people and the army, and, abandoning his com-
mand, he emigrated with her to France. In 1841
he demanded permission to return to Spain as a
friend to the established Government, and made
the most solemn declarations of harbouring no de-
sign against the public tranquillity. Espartero,
then Regent, would not believe that his old protege
and favourite was again false ; and, ignorant of the
plot formed for his own overthrow between him,
Maria Christina and Louis Philippe, who was al-
ready projecting the Spanish marriages, freely
allowed him to return.
The price promised him, for taking part in the in-
surrection of 1843 against Espartero's Government
was the Governor-Generalship of Cuba. That
promise was fulfilled ' • and the world has learnt
from blue-books and debates in Parliament the
manner in which this grasping satrap exercised
his command, and the immense fortune he and his
wrung from the blood of the miserable race, the
traffic in which his Government had been long
bound by treaty to put an end to.
On his return to Madrid O'Donnell, in right of his
rank in the army, became a member of the Senate.
Narvaez, whom he hated, and who hated him, was
then in power. To his rule none, except a few Pro-
gresistas, dared to make the slightest opposition.
O'Donnell announced that he was about to reinforce
that Opposition, but he was silenced by the lucrative
appointment of Director-General of Infantry. It
was the place best suited for his future plans, as he
could organise the army according to his pleasure.
Narvaez soon saw the error he had committed, and
he dismissed O'Donnell. Once more he rushed into
the Opposition organised by Generals Concha,
Serrano, &c., who accepted him as their leader.
Maria Christina, as being the most vulnerable, was
the great object of attack. Narvaez left the Minis-
try, and was once more exiled by Maria Christina,
and neither O'Donnell nor the Conchas were called
by her to power. The brave Murillo and Lersundi
Ministries passed away, not without leaving traces
of their baleful despotism. Sartorius (known as the
Count San Luis) was named Minister, and the
struggle became more desperate than ever. The
scandals of La Granja are not yet forgotten, and the
Spanish people have still fresh in their memory the
debate on the railway concessions, in which
General Concha denonnced Maria Cbr:stina and
her accomplices in a tone far surpassing the Com-
mission of Inquiry after the death of Ferdinand ;
and in that denunciation the whole of the Senate,
composed as it was of Generals, Grandees, ex-Mi-
nisters, leading financiers, &c•, joined and voted
against the Administration of the detested Sarto-
rius. It will be well to remember that the Senate
was no democratic or revolutionary body ; it was
essentially the reflex of the Moderado party • it
was the issue of the constitution accorded by Nar-
vaez? and Maria Christina ; and its members were
exclusively named by the Crown.
We remember the persecution O'Donnell suffered
from the Sartorius Government ; his concealment
in Madrid ; his military insurrection ; the combat
of Vicalvaro ; his defeat and retreat in Andalusia ;
his utter failure and impotence, and the famous
Liberal manifesto which dread of apprpaching de-
struction extorted from him, and in which he made
an appeal to the people to rise in defence of their
liberties. He offered them his sword, and flung
himself into the ranks of the Liberal party. O'Don-
nell was defeated and flying when that appeal was
made:; it was responded to by Espartero. Then,
indeed, all was changed : city after city, village
after village, from south to north, from east to west
rose against the miserable crew who had oppressed,
plundered, and degraded them. Espartero found
the Queen besieged in her Palace in Madrid, and
he saved her from public indignation by the pres-
tige of his nanin, his honesty, his popularity.
Esparta() carried his generosity and his confiding
spirit to a point which deserves censure. Never
meaning bad faith himself, he did not suspect it in
others. He had saved O'Donnell from ruin ; he
now offeredhim the Pertf9lio cf W;tr. How inal:y
times in the course of two years has not Espartero
covered his unpopular colleague with the buckler
o his own honesty, and Ilia QRn inlollo The

the

presence of Espartero produced a restraint on ,
scandals of the Court ; and it was by him and his,
whom Maria Christina and her companions call the
"enemies of the throne," that that throne has for
the last two years been saved again and again.
With the gradual restoration of order the mate -
rial condition of Spain was beginning to improve.
For more than a century—indeed, from the time
of Ferdinand VI., not even under Charles 111.,
who ruined the nation by the family compact, and.
who lost the South American colonies, had the
Spanish Treasury a maravedi until the late admi-
nistration of Espartero. It is not many days since
the Spanish papers announced that the Treasury
had more than 100,000,000 reals in its coffers after
having paid its current obligations ; and for the
last two months the Government had. in Paris
more than the amount necessary for the payment
of the interest on the foreign debt. Foreign capi-
talists had begun to invest large sums in industrial
enterprises in Spain ; confidence was gradually
growing up at home, and would soon extend
abroad ; and when the Government lately wished.
to convert 200,000,000 reals of the floating debt
into Three per Ceut. Consolidated, theyfound more
than the sum they wanted, and at a highter rate
than what they themselves had fixed.
There is a difference of opinion as to whether the
French Government connived at the act which has
just been perpetrated in Madrid. I believe that
some who must suffer personally and politically by
the overthrow of the Liberal Government acquit
the Emperor of participation in it. Bat the same
acquittal ought not, it is said, to be extended to
his representative in Madrid. It is possible, too,
that some acts of indiscretion have been committed
by certain persons belonging to the Court of the
Tuileries—persons whose influence ought naturally
to stand very high. It would be well if an inquiry
were instituted by the Emperor as to who sent,
without the loss of a moment, to General Narvaez,
and through him to Maria Christina, at Trouville,
the telegraphic despatch announcing the rising of
Saragossa against O'Donnell, and on the receipt of
which Narvaez instantly set out for the frontier.
The Emperor bad better look to it. Public opinion
will make him accountable for the acts of those who
are in constant intercourse with him ; and he wilt
do well to remember that the revival of the policy
of Louis Philippe in Spain will but increase his
unpopularity in both capitals.

PARIS, WEDNESDAY, 6 P.M.
The Spanish revolution is entering that phase
through which all Spanish revolutions inevitably
pass, and which is by far the most agreeable part of
the business to the parties concerned. The hour
arrives for the distibution of honours and rewards,
rank and ribands. The bell has rung for the serving
out of what Spaniards call turron. Turron is a sweet
meat composed of nuts and honey, aid the term is
playf ally and figurativelyapplied to the recompences
bestowed on disinterested patriots and loyal defen-
ders of the Throne. It seems that in Spain people
so seldom do their duty that, when they do, they
are considered to have a right to reward. And the
right is specially urged and recognised on the mor-
row of a political convulsion. This was never
more strongly exemplified than after the revolu-
tion of 1854. The Moderados used to have the
reputation of particular greediness on such oc-
casions, but when the Progresistas, after eleven
years exclusion from power, got the upper hand,
they showed that their appetite, sharpened by long
fasting, was quite as good, and their countenance
quite as unblushing as that of their political
adversaries. Scandalous and disgusting was the
avidity with which they pressed for rewards for
services real or imaginary. The highest set them
the example. The Vicalvarists—that is to say,
O'Donnell and the officers who revolted with him,
and who took their name from the paltry skirmish
of Vicalvaro, exalted into a desperate engagement
by those who took part in it—had pledged them-
selves to derive no personal advantage from the
revolution, and Dulce, taxed with having sought
his own gain by the most deliberate treachery to the
Government he served, was particularly energetic in
repudiating all reward. Nevertheless, not one of
those men but received advancement and decora-
tions, and Dulce, within a month after the triumph
of the revolution, was a Grand Cross and a Lieu-
tenant-General. Everybody was rewarded at that
time ; some for assisting the revolution--others
for not opposing it—others, who had done nothing
because they had been patriots a long time ago--
many for no other reason than because they
were friends of Espartero or beloved of O'Don-
nell. Men who were never seen so long as fight-
ing was going on, but who afterwards stood behind
neatly-built barricades, making, as the Portuguese
say, " ferocious faces to the enemy," were constant
haunters of Ministerial ante-chambers until their
services were recognised and required. The whole
of the National Guard of Madrid was decorated at
one fell swoop ; throughout the whole army there
was a step of promotion ; the accoutrement makers
were unable to meet the demand for epaulets.
Accordingly, we hear already of promotions
and high favours flowing abundantly from the
inexhaustible cornucopia of Royal bounty ; and
more gladly, we may be very sure, are they dis-
pensed than those that issued from the same source
in 1854. Serrano, the Queen's early favourite, is
made Field-Marshal. General MacCrohon,
nelrs second at the Ministry of War, is to be Lieu-
tenant-General. General Armero, who kept down
Valladolid, receives similar advancement. Henry
O'Donnell the Marshal's brother, a Colonel the
other day, now a Brigadier, is to be Major-General.
High favours are reserved for Ros de Olano, Dulce,
Messina, and Conchi. It seems a sort of fashion in
Spain for politico-military cliques to take their
names from unsuccessful or insignificant battles.
Thus, we formerly had the Ayacuchos, who, in
Espartero's early days of power, were supposed to
monopolise influence and all good things, and now
there are the Vicalvarists, who seem walking in
ho same path.

OPENING OF THE SAILORS' INSTITUTE, SHADVVELL.
—Yesterday, the new building for the Sailors' Institute,
Mercer-street, Shadwell (in connection with the Bri-
tish and Foreign Sailors' Society), was publicly opened
by the Right Hon. W. F. Cowper, M.P., in the pre-
sence of a large number of clergymen, ladies, and
gentlemen.
A group in marble, representing "Queen Hortense in-
structing Prince Louis Napoleon in 1822," has just been
placed in the Museum of Versailles. It is from the ohieel
of M. Chatrougse, and was one of the ornaments of the
Universal Exhibition of the Fine Arts.
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYED.—One of those delightful
meetings, when masters and servants make common
cause together, took place on Tuesday at the Crystal Pa-
lace, on which occasion Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son,
the railway news agents, entertained the several hands
employed in their London establishment, numbering ,
nearly 180, with a most excellent cold collation, tinder
the direction of the Messrs. Staples. The arrangements
were all that could be wished. Mr. Smith, jun., presided,
accompanied by several friends and members of his
family, and after the usual loyal toasts had been pro-
posed, the health of " the Firm" was given, and received
in such a manner by the hands as must have proved
most gratifying to those who had shown so much care
for the welfare f their servants. Mr. Smith, senior,
from ill-health, did not arrive until nearly four o'clock,
but his appearance on the field, where cricket, quoits,
bat and trap, and other amusements had been provided,
was the signal fOr such a burst of applause as we ha"
seldom met with, and which indeed seemed almost for
the moment to overpower him. At seven tea was pro.
vided ; after which the company enjoyed the beautiful
geenery of the grounds, and returned by the last train .t 0
London, highly delighted with the enjoyment they iiad
experienced, and truly grateful for the liberality of their
employers.
POSTAL CONVENTION was Mzxico.—The following
are the most important provisions of the new postal con-
vention between Mexico and the United States. Mails
once a week or oftener are to be conveyed between Now
Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico, by the steamers of the
" United American and Mexican Steam-ship. Mail Com-
pany." The Mexican Government is to pay a subsidy
tp the company of 15,0001. a-year, to be raised by 1133'
port duties on merchandise conveyed by the mail packesta•
Half the number of packets are to sail under the Mod'
can flag, and the other half under the United States &kg.
They are to be adapted for wa. service and the eOnYOr
ance of troops. Neither Mexico nor the United States
is to convey its own troops in the packets beyond the
limits of its territory. In case of war between the two
republics the mail service is not to be interrupted. The'
packets may convey foreign and national merchandise
into any of the Mexican ports. The Pea postage to be
31(1. on the loz. letter. The charge for periodicals is,,,„_2(l'
each; pamphlets and printed matter id. per oz.
postmasters-general of Mexico and the United States
have power to establish an united line of mail steamerS
on the Pacific. Hitherto the mail communication be'
tween New Orleans and the Mexican Gulf has been 01:
monthly, and the sea postage sd. This convention i'41,1
reduce the postage on letters between England an
Mexico via the United States. that
ON THE TYNE.—We understand
it has been determined by the Piers and Public Virork. •
Committee of the Commissioners of the River Tyne 1.1
submit to that board a project for going to Farhat:pee'
next session to procure powers to make another noire
public dock on that river for the shipment of coal. T a
D
site projected is the Coble Dean in Shields harbour, es
stesm
if made it will be principally used in shipping
coal from the Hartley coal field. The Northumberland
Dock, which is being made by the commissioners for the
same purpose, is making satisfactory progress, and
.1_
anticipated will be opened in the spring of 1857.
works of the Jarrow Docks, which the North-Eastel
Railway Company ia making upon the Durham side au
the Tyne, are advancing most satisfactorily, and W.
the whole of those great works are finished it is anticli
pated that facilities will be afforded for the shipment.%
above 3,000,000 tons of coal in the year. The extensive
marine works, the north and south piers at the month
of the Tyne, which have been undertaken by the River
Tyne ILE pt(irk.ulent Uounni2sioners are being proceca
with this summer. The publie works now in hand up,
the Tyne, and projected, are -estimated at o°'.
3,000,0001, oterling.