The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-20

suits.
Spanish Affairs.
There is more in the present perturbations of
Spain than appears on the surface: more i'm
portant issues to be decided than the fate of
the wretched woman Christina, or even the
destiny Of her daughters throne While the
population of Madrid are engrossed with the
rivalries of ODonnel and Espartero, and a
large party are audibly muttering the name
Of Narvaez-while the struggle between the
clubs and the government adds daily fresh
strength to the former and saps the foundation
of the latter-more important questions even
than the duration Of the Spanish monarchy are
being evolved out of the smoke and tumult at
Madrid. Lively apprehensions are being en-
tertained at Paris lest this Spanish accident
should disturb the alliance existing between
France and England. 1t is notorious that the
ambassadors Of the United States and of Great
Britain were favorable to the outbreak long
before it occurred; in fact, as their hotels were
the refuge of the insurgent leaders during the
few days which preceded the rebellion, it is
inferred, not without a strong show of reason,
in that movement. Hence, since the triumph
Of the insurgents, American and British in
fuence have largely preponderated over that o.
France; the French ambassador has in fact
sunk into comparative insignifcance, and his
rivals are hand and glove with the new govern
ment. This must be anything but gratifying
to Napoleon III. Fer one hundred and fifty
fhn nhacr ~ hoIu -
has been the most influential parsonage in the
kingdom next to the sovereign. France fur.
nisbed Spain with a King at the beginning of the
eighteenth century. She detbroned his descen-
dants hundred years afterwards, and sent
another of her officers to take his place. Some
twenty years afterwards, when the enormities
Of Ferdinand had reused the nation to arms
against BIN, France again stepped in with
eighty thousand bayonets, and re.establshed
him on his absolute throne. Later again, when
a husband was wanted for an Infanta who might
possibly become Queen Of Spain, France once
more, in the teeth Of Infatuated Europe, furnish.
ed the required consort. After all this, il
must be humiliating to Napoleon to see that
the downfall of French influence at Madrid was
destined TO happen under his reign.
In another point of view, il is hardly posi-
BILE that the French Emperor can view with sa-
tisfaction the part taken by the British and Ame-
rican ambassadors in the recent troubles. No
European monarchy can be overthrow without
weakening his own power. A convulsion, with
a democratic tendency at Madrid, is sure to re-
vertebrate to Paris the heart of the democratic
world Of Europe. Isabella's expulsion would
warn him to be prepared for his own exile
Hence he may well regard the share as
cribed to Lord Howden in the Span sh insurec-
ton as o quasi-violation of the pledge Of
friendship he has received from Great Britain
He may not unnaturally think it rather hard
that while he is sending his troops to fight
battle which concerns the interest of England
far more closely than his own, that same Eng
land should be exerting her influence in another
quarter of the globe to injure cause in which
he is vitality concerned, and to propagate a
principle which would be fatal to his throne
How far this feeling may carry him will depend
in great measure on his means, and on the
temper OF the British ministry. Had tn, Rus
sian war not been commenced, we can hardly
doubt but Napoleon would have loudly pro-
tested against the open sympathy of his ally
for the revolutionaries of Spain. As 1t is, with
a large portion of his disposable force under
arms in the East and in the Bait c, prudence
may compel him to endure the affront silently.
The events Of the next few months will afford
him greater scope for free action.
1t would be very curious If the course of
affairs in Spain should lead Napoleon to inter-
fere on behalf of ooe or the other Of the contend
ing parties The founder of his dynasty made
his first mistake in Spain 1t may have been,
as he said, that his position impelled him to go
constantly EDWARDS in his conquerng progress
But events have clearly shown that the ruin OF
Napoleon J. may be dated from his Capture of
the royal family Of Spain at Bayonne, and his
appointment of his brother to rule over their
kingdom. F,om that day all went wrong with
him: even his victories were ruinous. A SINH
lar chance is now offered to his nephew. He too
may take fancy to NEEDLE 10 Spanish revolu-
tions: possibly less with a view to dynastic
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT than from apprehensions OF
evolutionary contagion. Whatever he does
whichever side he e'posues-the danger Is for
mdable. The loss % the British alliance would
be the least Of The risks be would run.