Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-02-28
From New Orleans Picayune.


Some startling rutnors about an approaching
crisis in Spain are occupying some the Northern
journals, their correspondents and telegraph
reporters. Reliable" private accounts have
been received-so they run-from Madrid, an
nouncing an impending revolution in Spain,
the overthrow of the present dynasty,a change If
government, and the establishment of an EN-
pire under the protection of the French Empe-
ror, in the person of his kinsman the Duke of
Alba. Among other authorities for this rumor.
We find the Washington Cd. C.) Sentinel, which
gives extracts from private letters, detailing
the grounds and combinations for the inticipa-
ted revolution. Particular importance is as
signed to this intelligence, as presentinga new
view of the Cuban question. It is argued that
a civil conflict, involving change in the form
Of government 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 Undor the pres
ent authorities, alienation Is impossible Under
new dynasty, it mis hit be first The resource, in
order 10 repenish an impoverished treasury, and
provide means, for the new government 10
maintain ITSELF Such are the speculatons
which accompany these reports.
We must premise that it is only in this coun-
try that these startling announcements are made.
In foreign journals we do not find the subject
mentioned at all. We hear Of dScontents in
deed, III Spain. as there have been any time this
last quarter of the century-Of the struggles Of
parties, the Queens unpopularity, and the an
ticipation Of a coup d'eiat on the part of the
Government to get rio of its enemies and estab
fish itself in greater absoluteness of power
But Of French party, an organized or power
full opposition under French influence with a
view 10 alliance with Lopis Napoleon. and
identification with his policy and has 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 Gu
bar question, and its close relations to the Uni
ted States, that give this matter so much inter
est in the eyes of Americans, and their anxiety
to find way for the peaceable acquisition of
Cuba by purchase, which makes them credu-
lous Of Spanish gossip, and sanguine in the an
ticipation of what is very remote if not positive
ly incredible. We have among US many poll
ticians and some statesmen, who cling to the
thought of purchasing Cuba from Spain at some
time; and Woodworking the inhexibe deter
mination she has avowed, over and over again,
never to sell, and desperate measures she has
all but proclaimed her purpose to take for de-
structOn of the island rather than that it should
pass into American hands, search about for
chances on which they may build hope that
! she will nevertheless be induced or constrained
/ to sell. AS member of the family of nations,
Spain is of little account to us. As the poss
/ essor of Cuba, she is study of deep interest,
/ but not ALWAYS studied discreetely or with any
definite knowledge of the interests; relations
/ and preiudices which effect her position among
/ the nations of the old world, and which will di-
rect her policy more certainly and absolutely
than anything which concerns her colonies,
however much cherished.
The idea of pending revolution in Spain is,
to our minds, delusion, springing out Of al ig-
norance ofthe Spanish character and of the
state of opinion in Spain. If Cuba is only to
be acquired when revolution has succeeded in
expelling the Burbon race Of monarchs, and
placing a dependant Of Napoleon III. upon the
throne, the idea Of purchase may be abandoned
as remote contingency no nearer cOnsum-
nation than it was when the offer was made,
and spurned again, on the approach made, to
an overture for the purchase.
And if ever a Spanish revolution should
make the hold which Spain has upon Cuba less
rigid-if ever civil cOmmOtions at home should
compel her to relax that stern military domina-
ton bv which alone she keeps the mastery over
the inhabitants, short period might suffice to
show how little she would have 20 sell. tits
more than probable that the Islanders would
think themselves entitled to hold and govern,
or convey the Island. as natural owners aud
sovereigns, and with fair play against foreign
influences. they are not unlikely to be able to
maintain that position. Whenever Spain is
willing to sell in consequence Of civil troubles in
the Peninsula, Cuba may assert successfully her
right to be independent, and the United States
need not negotiate 10 buy the exploded title
of Spain.
A gainst the idea of an early change of dy-
nasty in Spain, we may oppose the fact that
Spain is the Oldest and proudest monarchy, and
the nation is, to this day. the most loyal, of any
in Europe. Their various civil vars, within
the memory of this age, have been marked by
a fanaticism of devotion to the principle Of
monarchy, which could not be found in any 9TH
er part of the continent. The nation makes its
boast that in the long line of its history there
is not an example OF klHS muiueleu, Ut
king deposed by his subjects. The tumultu-
Gus Joy which the people, only three years ago,
exhibited on the occasion of the barbarous exc.
cution of would-be regicide-the burning Of
his body, and casting of his ashes to the winds
is proof of the fanatical bent of their minds;
and while that exists, no matter what may be
their political grievances, they are not likely to
favor rebellion which has for its object a
change of dynasty-p particularly in favor of an
other which is to be under French influence.
1t requres no deep investigation of Spanish
his tory, or of the bent of the Spanish mind, to
dissipate the idea thata French influence could
be established in Spain; particularly one estab
lished under Napoleon dynasty or protector.
ship. The intense hatred of the Spaniards tc
domination Of the French is written in BLOODY