The New York herald., 1850-05-22

the careers and, at nineteen, he found himself com
mander OF squadron OF horse, select force de-
signed for critical occasions TO decide pending con-
tests a corps into which none but picked men were
admitted, and with which il was point of honor
never TO turn the back; and, at the age Of twenty
three, highly esteemed colonel of regiment OF
cavalry.
Besides other distinctions, he received during this
war the rare military honor of the cross OF San Fer
nando, OF the second (he most distinguished)
degree; a reward not bestowed al pleasure, but
which is TO be obtained only by public demand
10y the person claiming IL and on the institution
OF formal process for and against his right, every
body being free TO neTpose an objection, or to de-
preciate the merit Of the act for which il is de-
manded In the whole army there was but one
other individual who possessed this cross Lopez,
not attaching much importance 10 the act for which
he was urged to apply and caring little, moreover,
for the honor himself, was only induced TO demand
il by the commander-n-chlef, General Morillo,
who taunted him with being afraid of a rejection
of the demand, and who demanded his secretary 10
draw up the application, almost forcing the reluc-
ant young officer 10 sign il.
In the negotiations for the withdrawal Of the
Spanish army, he contributed much TO cause the
Spanish general-who could have protracted the
contest much longer, though with no hope of
eventual success-to relieve the country from the
further pressure ofthe evils of war; by his influence
eXefted IN every manner consistent with military
honor; and II Is no small proof of what must have
been the appreciation of all his character conduct
and motives entertained even by those against
whom he had thus served, having been thrown by
iIe circumstances ABOVE explained, on the Spanish
side of the civil contest thus terminated, that on
the conclusion of hosties, he was invited by the
patriot government 10 enter IFS service, in the
rank held by him in the Spanish army. He de-
clined the offer, not considering that that honor
which had kept him in the service, permitted him
TO accept il; and he retired with the evacuation
army TO Cuba, in the year 1923.
Since that date he has been Cuban, having mar
lied and established himself in the island The re-
establishment of absolutism in Spain, by the aid of
the French intervention overthrowing, for the sec
ond time, the constitution of lSl2, wholly prevented
his resumption ofseryice though retaining his no-
nal rank The system then adopted was, TO require
a "pUWsdtlon" from all the officers of the army,
especially those suspected of too much liberalism,
process consisting IN the adjuration of such sent.
| ments, and in an oath of devotion and support of
the new order of things. Always not only liberal :
but democratic in heart well as in principles he
/ would never consent 10 compromise with his con-
manned in retirement until, the death of the old
/ hing, Ferdinand VII, The long. snothered liberal
| party broke out from under the despotc incubus
which had pressed IT down, and assumed the ascen-
| dant in the government of the country Maria
Christina the brilliant bold, but unprnciped widow
of the old King, after having caused the latter by
hs will 10 devise the crown 10 her infant daughter
Isabel, in disregard Of the Salic law, which had
heretofore regulated the succession of the throne
of Spain, and therefore to the exclusion of the
rights of Don Carlos, the Kings brother and next
male heir, threw herself on the liberal party for
constitution of 1872. The absolutist or royalist
party soon prepared TO rise for the maintenance of
the right of Don Carlos, whose character and views
made him moreover their natural head Christina,
IN anticipation OF the severe civil struggle which
all knew TO be about TO ensue, adopted the vigorous
measurse Of disarming at blow the whole royalist
/ party throughout the kingdom, so far as it was
/ practicable service 10 which the people were
| summoned, and came forward eagerly enough to
perform, with the aid of the troops that could be
| counted upon by the government. This move
ment, beginning at Madrid, was at each i'm
\ amt fh.stt I,fa l...s
denness so successful, that throughout the king.
| dom, six hundred thousand stands of arms were
wrested from the hands in which they would other
wise have soon been employed for the re-establish-
ment OF Don Carlos, the priests, and absolutism.
IL was in the midst Of the tumult of this memora-
/ bic day al Madrid, that Colonel Lopez, (who han
pened TO be at the capital with his wife, to reclaim
large sum of money arbitrarily seized from the
family OF the latter by the government in Cuba
reappeared on the scene, signally distinguishing
himself by the activity and boldness which he ex-
hbiied in heading bodies of the people, in this
operation Of dlsarming the royalsts Always a
thorough republican in heart and conviction he
was one of the most enthusiastic TO welcome the
revival OF the old constitution, and the consttu-
tionsst party, and his joy took the natural form
oil Jealous daring, in the performance Of this prac.
teal service 10 the cause Of his principss-a ser
vice which was not AT all one-sided considerable
part OF the national guard and some Of the troops
being royalst, ard several attempts being made by
the latter party 10 rally, and make stand against
the tide Of popular enthusiasm that and ragged
/ rOuud tnCTl, ana nnally ONtIDOft all resistance.
More than once IN the course of the day, Lopez was
seen driving before him, Singy, with his sword.
considerable bodies Of the royalists, AIMED with
their guns, TO the principal guard-house, To deliver
up their aims, treating them with little CEREMONY
and ing them acquainted with the flat of his
sword, and indeed cowing them into obedience 20
has command, as though he had been their own
officer
The consequence Of this day was. that he was
speedily despatched TO Join the army. as hrst aid
de-camp TO the commander r-in-chef, Gen. Valdez;
and after taking mor active part in the war, be-
ing usually selected for the most daring military
work, he found himself, at It's close. general and
covered with military decorations, among which
were the ehly-distnguished ones Of the grand
crosses OF ~ l,imenglldo and Isabel la CatoIica.
Between himself and Valdez (who was afterwards
Captain General OF Cuba.) a devoted friendship
gfose, which has never sustained any dmnution
The only pure and upright Captain General sent to
Cuba, within the memory Of man, and therefore
necessarily too good 10 be long left Ly the govern
ment IN that rost, Valdez has always been REGARDED
by Lopez a. The most ylriuous man breathing.
In hi- political sentiments, General Iopez never
wayercd from his fidelity 10 the democratic party.
known In Spain as the liberal crd'fado Marty. Asa
known end reliable member Of that party he was
apPcnied edcon.mandcr-in-cbi ofthe National Guard
Ol The kingdom, post created for him al a critical
period. lie. nt different periods filed the post of
commandern- chief oi various provinces. Thouob
excessively caressed ly the queen mother Chris-
una he early learned TO despise and distrust her,
On the occasion cf the popular insurrection at
Madrid, which resulted in the expulsion of Chris.
tina iiom tie Regency. Gen. Lopez was earnestly
solicited ty the people TO assume the commend of
the capital. a. Governor Of Madrid. which. when
be found u incumbent on him as a duty of human-
ny, NJ dhculi and critical moment. he consented
10 90 he cary being threatened by the army he
made the most energetic preparations for its de-
fence; but happily the withdrawal of the obnoxious
queen Mother 10 Paris ayerted the necessity Of the
struggle, for which he had braocd the nerves Of
the people, by the irmsss Of his resolution and
The Nigor Of his measures. Espericro. on whom
the Government then dcvolyed. and who was soon
after orronied Regent by the Cortes, was anxious
q induce LoTez to retain the post of Governor of
Madrid; but the latter would not remain bcyond
the pcrod Of emergency for which he had been CALI
ed rpcn by The reople themselves. in a situation
IN which IL might become his duty 10 act ayains;
the people Tor tie repression OF tumults and three
times picscd upon the Regent his resignation;
which was only accepted, when he positively ne.
fused Co ialc a negative answer. aud he relieved
hsrererc from the difficulty Of filling his place. by
himself recommending competent successor