The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-08-25
ESparferO.

Don Baldamero E>partero is of low extraction.
born in La Mancha in 1892, AMI from his
weak constitution was first destined Tor The church
lie left the convent where he was educated 10
1868, and entered Inc army then organizing
against the French. 10 1911 he became lieu
tenant of eng ineers but being able TO pass
his examination transferred 10 the infantry at
Vailadolid, where he resigned his commission.
To 1915 he joined, as captain, The expedition
of General Morillo against The revollcd ctionies
of South America, and fought with success and
courage in Peru, where he advanced to the rank
of colonel. After the capitulation OF Ayachuco,
IN 1924, he returned to Spain, where he was pro-
NOTED TO the rank Of brgadler general.
In 1882 he declared for the succession OF the
daughter Of Ferdinand VII, The present Queen Of
Spain, and in The civil war which subsequently
ensued Joined the army Of the Christmas in Bis.
cay. In 1886 he saved the capital from the IN
surgents, for which achievement he was made
Commander in. chief Of the army oi the North,
Viceroy Of Navarro, and Captain General Of the
Basque Provinces In 1887 be again saved the
capital from the army of Don Carlos, whom he
threw back across the Ebro, occupied the hills of
Luchana, end relieved BiIboa, which had been be.
sieged by the Carlisls. For this ea! he was made
Count Of Luchana. In 1928 he annlhilated the
expedition of The Carist general Negr
His fortunate campaign of 1889 won him the
titles Of Grandee Of the first class, Duke of Vic
toria, and Grand Cross of the French Legion OF
Honor His negotiations with Noroto al last
caused Don Carlos to quit the soil of Spain.
In 1S4O he defeated the Carllst expedition under
Cabrera, after having previously caused the reslg-
nation of Narvaez as member of Donna Chris
tna's Cabinet. In that year, the Queen Regent
having a large majority in the Cortez, ventured
to circumscribe the municipalities (Ayuntamentos)
Of Spain. EsPartero advised her in Barcelona
not to sign the law, and when an instruction fol.
lowed the promu gallon, returned 10 Madrid, where
he elected president of the ministerial coun.
Gil. On The 10Th of October, 1910, the Queen
Regent abdicated and went to France. The Cor
tez, on the 9Th of May, 1871, declared EsPartero
sole Regent of Spain.
AS Regent, Espartero opposed both the preten.
sions of the Pope and OF the Republicans, crushed
the rising OF O'Donnell who had declared for the
Queen Regent, and prevented the elopement from
Madrid OF the present Queen. OF the two gene.
rails involved in the plot, Leon and Concha Che
latter subsequently Captain General Of Cuba) he
ordered the first TO be shot.
AS Regent, Espartero became the decided friend
and ally Of England, in the same manner that the
Queen Regent had been that of France. He re-
manned true 10 the constitution Of 1887, but at
the same time put down Republicanism wherever
it showed itself. The insurrection of Barcelona,
in 1872 was put down by bomburding The city.
After this act, Progressistas, Moderados and Re-
publicans united against him. He was forced to
declare a general amnesty, but when asked to dis.
missed General Zurbano and Image, both known
10 be in the British interests, he dismissed instead
both his ministers and the Cortez.
Catalonia, Andalusia, Arragon and Jalicia soon
arose, and on the 1st of July, l843, the reVoIu-
tionary Junta of Barcelona declared The Queen Of
age and Espartero traitor to the country. AT
the head of the instruction STOOD Narvaez, who
entered Madrid on the 22d July. On the 30th of
July, Espartero embarked at Cadiz, and landed
at Falmouth, England, on the 10th of August fol-
lowing. Though by the Spanish decree Of Au-
gust 10th deprived of all his titles and honors.
he received in Great Britain with all the dis.
hnction due his rank as Regent, and it is but
reasonable therefore TO suppose that he has pre-
served some gratitude for his hospitable enter.
tanners.
The constitution of 1s37-the same which Es-
partero maintained as Regent with so much vigor
against both the Catholic hierarchy and the Re.
publicans-Is the one now proclaimed in Madrid,
and received with reclamation by the people. 1t
yet remains for me to state that Espartero enjoys
the reputation of being free trader, and that the
rumor OF his havi ing made treaty with England,
derogatory to the manufacturing interest of Gaia.
Iona, the chief cause of the rising Of BARGE.
Iona in l943. IT, as some assert, the revolution
in Spain is The work Of Russian intrigue, the re-.
turn of Espartero was certainly not in the pro.
gramme.