Washington telegraph., 1854-03-01
From the N. o. Picayune.l
The RumOred Crisis in Spain.

Some startling rumors about an approach
ing crisis i'll Spain are occupying some of
the Northern journals, their correspondents,
and telcgraphic reporters. Reliable" pri-
vate accounts have been received-sO they
un-from Madrid. announcing an impcnd-
ing revolution in Spain, the overthrow of
the present dynasty. change of govern
ment. and the establishment of an Empire
under the protection Of the French Emperor,
in the person of his kinsman, the Duke of
Alba. Among other authorities for this ru-
NOR. we find the Washington ID C) SEN
tiuel. which gives extracts from private let
tiers, detailing the grounds and combinations
for the anticipated revolution Particular
as presenting a new view of the Cuban
question. 1t is argued that civil conflict,
involving a change in the form of govern
ment would exclude from authority all who
have been committed so long and strongly
against the alienation of Cuba, and produce
condition of public affairs in which the
sale of the island to the United States would
not only be acceptable. but desirable I'm.
der the present authorities, the alienation is
impossible. Under new dynasty it might
be the FIRST resource. in order to replenish
an impoverished treasury, and provide means
for the new government to maintain itself
Such are the speculatons which accompany
these reports.
We must premise that it is only in this
country that these startling announcements
are made. In foreign journals we DO rot
find the subject mentioned at all We hear
of dscontents. indeed. in Spain, as there
have been any time this last quarter of
a century-of the struggles of parties, the
Queens unpopularity. and the anticipation
of coup d'etat on the part of the govern
ment to get rid of its enemies and establish
itself in greater absoluteness of power
But of a French party, an organized or pow
erful opposition under French influence with
view to alliance with Louis Napoleon, and
Identification with his policy and his family,
we hear nothing, and, with due respect to
the sources of this intelligence, we believe
nothing. 1t is,we apprehend. the prominence
of the Cuban question, and its close rela-
tions to the United States, that give this mat
ter so much interest in the eyes of Ameri-
cans, and their anxiety to find way for
chase. which makes them credulous of Span
ish gossip, and sanguine in the anticipation
of what is very remote, if not positively in
credible. We have among us many politi-
clans and some statesmen. who cling to the
thought of purchasing Cuba from Spain at
some time and wbo-knowing the infexi-
bic determination she has avowed, over and
over again, never to sell. and the desperate
measures she has all but proclaimed her
purpose to take for the destruction of the
island rather than that it should pass into
American hands. search about for chances
on which they may build a hope .hat she
will nevertheless be induced or constrained
to sell. AS a member of the family of ma
tions. Spain is of little account to us. As
the possessor of Cuba. she is study of deep
interest, but not always studied discreetly or
with any definite knowledge Of the interests,
relations. or prejudices which affect her po-
sition among the nations of the old world and
which will direct her policy more certainly
and absolutely than anything which con-
Germs her colonies, however much cherished.
Spain is, to our minds delusion. springing
out of an ignorance of the Spanish charac-
ter. and of the state of opinion in Spain
If Cuba is only to he acquired when rev.
olution has succeeded in expeling the Bour-
bon race Of monarchS. and placing depen-
dent of Napoleon III. upon the throne. the
idea of purchase may be abandoned as re-
mote contingency no nearer consummation
than it was when the offer was made. and
spurned again. on the approach made, to
an overture for the purchase.
And if ever Spanish revolution should
make the hold which Spain has upon Cuba
ess rigid-f eyer civil commotions at home
should compel her - Tho, st,rn militia
ry domination by which alohisss s.e." a-aans - ,h.
mastery over the inhabitants, a short e, !,
might suffioe to show how little she woui