The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-07
AFFAIRS IN SPAIN.

From the Liverpool Times, Aug. 70
number of interesting events have boon taxing
place In Spain since we Last addressed our readers
upon the state Of that violently agitated coustry
There two occurrences Of recent date which are
more interesting ana significant tnan ordinary
We allude to the circumstances Of the great sensa
ton excited at court by the unusual addition which
General Allende Salazar made to the customary
form OF the oath taken by the new minister's, aud
the consequence Of the cruel murder of soldier by
an officer, for crying out " piUa EspdTtero"
In the first case, when the oath had been read to
Saazar by the official appointed for the pur osse, he
emphatic manner, appended the extraordinary obi.
cation, "Apd swear also to defend the rights OF
the people" 1t is said that the Queen is somewhat
phlegmatic, and took no exception to the OATH The
court funciionares were frightened out OF their
senses at SO bold innovation Of court etiquette
We can see no improperly in this addition, espe-
cially under the circumstances when II was made:
An excited people, yet smarting from the effects OF
miserable government whi:h had trampled upon
their rights and goaded them to desperation, have
some claim to be appeased by an oath OF fidelity to
their interests as well az to the interests OF the
crcwp.
one this breach OF form proves him to be earnest
man. rightminded minister ard to be worthy Of
the position he occupies in the government OF
Spain. At the present crisis, particularly, such
men are wanted. The cause OF liberty is sacred
one, and al the Western Powers must recognise
the roc popui as an antdote to the poison of abso
lutism, which the Eastern Powers are anxious to
infuse where they can exercise any sway.
In the second case to which we have referred, 1t
appears that when battalion was on parade at
Sar1ia, village near Barcelona, the soldier who
cried out give Espartero," was Immediately
stabbed to the heart by his hot tempered comman.
be surprised at the recital of the tragic retribution
which IL occasioned.
The indignant soldiers fired upon their officers,
and killed several besides the fooEhardy murderer.
1n<< 4ha irtf IF and
sought to kill the colonel of the regiment. The two
brothers OF that officer were slain, but he himself
escaped over the dead body of one of them. Toe
effect of the scene and the fright drove him mad
and be attempted more than once to commit sucide
He was ultimately taken 10 Barcelona, and strict
wat was set over him to prevent any rash act.
Such disastrous occurrence, arising from an OH
GERS reckless disregard Of the HE OF soldier,
ought to serve as warning against the attempt at
assumiDp arbitrary power and undertaking execn
TORS without legal authority. The regiment thai
took this summary vengeance npoa iS officers, was
the Cacadores of Arapiles.
What the consequence will be has not yet tran
sp,red; but considering what must have been the
exasperated feeling Of the soldiery on witnessing
such On outrage upon comrnde, probably the frri.
tation .l be soothed rather than punishment at
tempted. =
6pai,, however, is In very unsettled state, and
II is not improbable that there may be q reiga of
terror en- small,r scale than the memorable one of
France. The Q1cen has been Obliged to allow her
Msjssty offeied the most strenuous opposition
in her power. She may have hit upon the truth
when she declared that she no longer considered
herself as a reigning sovereign but rather as
prisoner in her own palace. Espartero seems TO re-
tain the enthusiastic attachment Of the people, and
to enjoy season of unbounded popularity. His
lodged tact and great talenfs may secure him
in bis position--a position as dangerous as II Is
elevated. The clubs sent dcputation TO him, de-
msndug the suppression Of the question Of dynasty
which they asserted could not be discussed by the
Cortes. But with tina, demand Esparter0 did not
choose to comply. The majority Of the nation we
believe to be completely satisfied upon the important
subject Of the constituent Cortes which Is to revive
the constitution Of 1887, and which consists Of
only one chamber--the Congress Of Deputies.
tt Cortes is to meet on the 9Th Of N.vember,
and one deputy Is to be elected for ever, thirty.
Eve thousand souls. Three times tbs humber Of
seuators reauJ ed are named by the constituent
cies that elect Deputies, AID out Of ca b three
the crown selects one. The members OF the late
sapsfe we're supposed to have been constituted so
for ft but the new elections will Of course, sweep
hem away from the chamber. These thscges can.