The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-01

Affairs In Spain.
rue STATE or POLITICAL PARrIHs AID rHa PRO-
BABLE ErFEoTs ON ITS CUBAN POLICY.


the STATE or POLITICAL PARrIEs AID rHa PRO-
BABLH EFFE0Ts ON ITS CUBAN POLICY.
The reassembling Of the C@tes to-day In Madrid,
owing to the circumstances which attended it's DISCO
luton, will invest the proceedings Of the forthcoming
session Of the Spanish Legislature with more than or
binary interest. The progress Of affairs in that coun-
try has OF late engrossed the attention of the people
OF the United States more than they have done for
many years past; and this is owing, not 80 much to
any interest they possess intrnscaly to the bear
ing they may have on our own domestic policy. Il
would be tedious to enter into review of Spanish
diplomacy since the eventfu period of Queen Chris
tinas reign or the landing of British troops in the
Peninsula to interfere with the affairs Of government;
but brief statement Of the actual position Of polit
cal parties in that country cannot be devoid Of inter
est. Nor will it be necessary to mark the changes
which have taken place in the personnel Of the seve-
raj administrations which have been formed under
the regns Of Queen Isabella and her predecessor for
even an enumeration Of their names would serve to
recall the memory of Spanish intrigue and Machiaval
ISM rather than the manifestation OF any sincere de-
sire to promote the welfare Of the country. Things,
however have taken turn lately, and in the estab-
shment Of liberal party in opposition to the views
of NJ Bravo Murillo the late President of the Coun-
Gil there Is hope that the friends of progress and
form will force the government to make certain nno
vatons on its old established policy which cannot
but be highly beneficial to the subjects Of Queen Isa
Amongst the different projects Of political reform
which the cabinet of Madrid has already promul-
gated so that the people might express their opinions
On them previous TO the assembling Of the next Par
Lament, may be mentioned the following the or
ganzation of the Senate the election Of deputies,
the internal regulation of the legislative bodies the
rights of persons and Of property, public order and
the titles Of the nobility Of the realm. When we con-
slider the hitherto arbitrary rule Of the Spanish mo-
march, any approach towards securing the rights and
liberties OF the people cannot but be hailed by every
lover Of freedom as step taken in the right direo
ti0n for with the sad experience we have had of the
tyrannous character of the government in their pos
sessions near us, we would fain hope the reform
would extend to the colonies as well as to the me-
tr0pOian State.
The last session of the legislature was of short du.
ration We have already heard what were the causes
which led to the dissolution of the Chambers The
contest arose soon as they opened on the nomina
ton Of President of the Cortes nominee Of the
Spanish Ministry was M. Tejada, and that of all the
opposition united was NJ Martinez de la Rosa, who
was elected. On the following day, one Of the depu
ties had hardly time to pronounce the first word Of
sort of accusation against the Ministry, when M.
Bravo MurillO rose and read decree an
nnouncing the dissolution Of the Chambers.
The people were accordingly called upon to
proceed to the election of deputies, who were to
assemble on tho first Of March. In the mean
time, the government has published its contemplated
mode of procedure, which embraces all the reforms
Speculative inquiry has been awakened as to the
the opposition will adopt on the reopenng Of
the Cortcs VIII they support the government in
its attempt to introduce these new elements in the
political constitution of Spain and will they be salts
fled with that which many of them consider to be
really no substantial reform, but rather an en-
orcement Of the hereditary abuses Of the monarchy
OF one thing we are certain, the more moderate
members of the opposition will not hesitate to affx
their signatures to any change in the law which
sures the rights OF persons and OF property May not
this concession Of the Spanish government have
arisen from the state Of public feeling in this coun
try, and the representations of its press on the cruel
ties and en0rmities that have been perpetrated in
Cubal If so, out OF evil good has come and thanks
may be DUE after all, to those llibusters who have
been the means of saving some unfortunate wretch
from the misery of Spanish galleys or the torture of
Spanish dungeons
Whatever course the opposition may adopt, the
proceedings Of the Cortes viii be looked for with
anxiety it s however to be regretted that the state
OF political parties in Spain is not what it fifteen
years ago. and that tho friends of reform and pro-
gress cannot look for that support from the people
which sustained them in the more trying periods Of
their history. Amongst the members Of the party
may also be found some OF the most devoted adhc-
rents of the Queen. who supported her throne when
dangers and vicistudes surrounded IT. but probably
ere the present writing, the dispute has been settled
and all parties rec0nciled.
What We have, however. most to hope for is, that
from the necessities of her government she may be
inclined to look more favorably on the efforts OF
American diplomacy to release her hold her trans
atlantic possessions in America. For some time
past she has incurred immense expenditure for
railroads. and other public improvements, SO much
so that serious apprehensi0ns were entertained of
financial crisis Government put stop to any fur
ther grants for public improvements, and NJ Reinoso,
the Minister Of Public Works was forced to resign
Thus, may find in her necessities what we failed
to procure from her generosity and she may be here
after more willing to listen to proposals for an aena
ton Of her domain. She seems loath to part with
the "Gcm OF the Antilles" but there may after all
he some intrinsic virtue in American dollars which
will remove oil the scruples she has yet manifested.
Time alone can unravel the intrigues Of Spanish
diplomacy, or test the oupidity of the government
We shall see.