The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-18 00:00:00

IHE REVOLUTION IN SPAIN.

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A letter from Madrid, dated Dec. 14, says :
It would be rather difficult to give you a fair idea
of the joy with which the people of Madrid received
the news of the unconditional surrender of the
Cadiz insurgents.. It was more than gladness—it
was exultation. The good tidings transpired in the
afternoon of Sunday, by four o'clock. But in the
evening it circulated freely in the clubs and cafes,
and this morning at daybreak it was cried out in
the streets by a host of bulletin sellers. Ever since
the Madrilones are congratulating each other, and
seem to breathe with full lungs. The Cadiz insur-
rection was a national nightmare, rendered still
more oppressive by the scanty and contradictory
news about the real state of affairs in Andalusia.

The Government is accused of having concealed
from the public what was passing at Cadiz, and of
having misled the people by the erroneous reports
published in the newspapers deriving their informa-
tion from official sources. Be that as it may, it is
undeniable that the mcmbers'of the Provisional Go-
vernment have displayed in that mo.st trying emer-
gency a foresight, a wisdom, a moderation, and a
spirit of conciliation most comendable. In my letter
of the 11th I told you the reasons leading to the
conclusion that the insurgents would surrender at
discretion. They had not the slightest chance, and
the Government, acting upon the fact, renewed the
armistice to avert further effusion of blood.

The French have a proverb whichays, a quelque
chose malheur est bon. T:-.e insurrection of Cadiz
will have for Spain and her Government this happy
result, that it proved the strength of the latter, and
that it will prevent further hostile demonstrations.
Now that the Cadiz insurrection has terminated
so happily, the truth begins to peep out about its
real origin and true character. It is generally
averred that it was Republican, and not Reactionist;
however, it appears certain that it was supported
by the gold of Israel. So much for its charac-
ter. It arose thus. The civil governor of Cadiz
received the order to disarm the people at Puerto
Santa Maria and at Cadiz, as was done at Madrid.
The volunteers refused to deliver their arms, and
those of Puerto Santa Maria marched on Cadiz ;
that was on the sth. Now, the events at Puerto
were known at Cadiz the same day at noon. It
was also known that a bando had been drawn for
disarming the volunteers of Cadiz. Almost im-
mediately the people met in arms at the San Juan
Place, vociferating menances and seditious cries
against the Government.

The Republicans here contend that the civil go-
vernor of Cadiz addressed provocations to the De-
mocratic party ; that this official is a creature of
Gonzales Bravo; that he is an ardent Reactionist ;
and that he was appointed by the traitors who have
contrived to sneak in amongst the Provisional Go-
vernment.

It is the first time that the Republicans charge
the civil governor of Cadiz with having caused the
insurrection by his provocations. What those pro-
vocations were they do not tell. The insurrection
having burst out when Cadiz was without troops
(they had been despatehei to Puerto Santa Maria)
that governor must. have committed a huge blunder
in provoking the Republicans just at the moment
when he was without a single soldier. Again, had
that governor (Gonzales de la Vega is his name)
provoked an insurrection by his violence against
the Republicans of Cadiz, how is it that the Repub-
licans of Madrid and of the other Spanish towns
could be ignorant of it; how is it that knowing it,
they protested against the Cadiz insurrection, that
they indignantly repulsed any connection with it ?
However, it is with unfeigned satisfaction that I
hasten to tell you that the Cadiz insurrection is free
from most of the excesses laid at its door by false or
much exaggerated reports, which, unfortunately,
obtained credence for the time in well-informed
circles here, and found their way into the papers
more or less connected with the Government. The
following diary from en impartial witness may also
prove interesting to your readers :

" Cadiz, Dec. 5, 2.30 p.m.—The artillery has
been despatched to Puerto Santa Maria, to com-
pletely reduce the insurgents. The armed volun-
teers oppos3d the departure of the column, at-
tacked it at the San Juan Place, whilst others fired
at the picket instructed with the publication of
bando. The' troops posted on the rampart returned
the fire of the insurgents.
" Evening.—The insurgents. whns numbcro
have been greatly increased by men who came
from Xeres and other neighbouring towns, have
taken possession of the town-house and other public
buildings ; the troops extended along the ramparts,
and held communication with the artillery park and
the forts.

6th.--A great agitation prevailed during the
night, and from daybreak the fire was very bri6k on
both sides. At 4.30 the Madrid riflemen, who were at
Puerto Santa Maria, landed here. When the insur-
rection burst out the Cadiz authorities had at their
disposal but 600 men of the Gerona regiment, 300
artillerymen, and 40 civil guards. The reinforce-
ments received during the day are but six com-
panies, some of which numbering only 30 men.
The Gerona regiment fought at Alcolea under
Novalichez.

" 7th.—The insurgents, who had taken the ar-
tillery park at the outset of the rebellion are well
provided with arms and ammunition. They have
compelled the men able to bear arms to fight on
their side. They occupy the central part of the
town, and specially the districts of La Viva and of
Santa Maria. The insurgents, numbering at least
6,000 men, threw from the balconies even pieces
of furniture on the troops. The troops fought with
courage ; but, above all, they took care to occupy
the strategical points. General Laserna entered
Cadiz this day at the head of six companies more,
and the troops are now from 1,300 to 1,400
strong. They bravely attacked the town-hall,
but were repulsed, and suffered heavy losses.
It is not exactly known who are the leaders of
the insurrection, but the insurgents mention
Tunco, Marimon, Viesca, Cuenca, and Cuesta.
Tne cries are contradictory. At first they cried
' Viva la Republic l' then Viva Isabella!' and even
Viva Carlos 1' To-day many Catalans, armed
with American rifles, were perceived among the in-
surgents. Since nightfall the fire was less brisk ;
but from time to time, and from different directions,
are heard cannon and musket firing.
" Bth.—At Bin the morning, the Consuls, seeing
that the naval forces were making ready to fire at
the town, came in a body to the superior authori-
ties, and asked in the name of humanity and of the
material interests of the inhabitants to grant an
armistice to the insurgents to give them time to ac•
knowledge their error, to surrender their arras, and
to allow women and children to leave the town.
The authorities granted an armistice of 48 huurs.
During the day a good number of people availed
themselves of the armistice to abandon the place.
The troops were reinforced by 200 men of the
Gerona regiment and by a detachment of Carabi-
neers. The troops and the insurgents maintain
their respective positions."

The diary ends here. You will perceive that it
mentions nowhere the presence of libarated con-
victs in the ranks of the insurgents. However,
they are spoken of in the first conditions that the
insurgents submitted on the 9th for their surrender
—they asked a free pardon for themselves and the
convicts sot free at the beginning of the conflict,
and General Caballero de Roda would not even
discuss them. Another version, put forth by the
Republicans, is that the convicts were taken again
to the presidios by the Republicans of •Cadiz.
However, that important point will soon be cleared
up.

At all events, the Cadiz insurrection has greatly
damaged the Republican cause in Spain. My per-
sonal opinion is that its chances never were very
great. The Coustituentes Cortes will be 4o ; I
do not think that the Republicans will send more
than 30 representatives.

SACRED HAI3IONIC SOClETY.—Handel's Messiah
will be performed by this society at Exeter-hall on Mon-
day evening next, with Miss Edith Wynne, Madame
Sainton-Dolby, Mr. Verr►on Rigby, and Mr. Santley as
the principal vocalists.

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