The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-07
For the National Era.
Sketch of the Political History of Europe
THE CAPlTULATI0N OF PARIS, IN 1914,
TILL
THE PRESENT TIME,
BY A FRIEND OF LIBERTY.
CHAPTER III.


despicable, or more deserving of our condemna
ton, than Ferdinand VII, of Spain. AS sooi
as he returned from his captivity in France, h.
FASTENED to teach the Spaniards how foolish
they had acted, in sacrificing their blood in hi
cause, and in that of monks and aristocrats.
1t was, however, very natural, that those VIII
were unacquainted with the principles and in
gratitude of royalty, should have iattered them
selves with the hope that Ferdinand, when re
stored to the throne, would surround himsel
with men from among the champions of his
cause, and of the independence of Spain. But
those who had entertained these just hopes
were soon made by Ferdinand himself, to de-
plore their expectations, as illusions that were
not to be realized.
Selfish, ungenerous, bigoted, and hypocrit
cal, as Ferdinand VII was he felt no inclina.
ton to sacrifice a jot of his pretended preroga
tives, or those of the priests and monks that
ruled over his cowardly heart, to the just claims
of the patriotic men who had indicated the free
dom of Spain. He viewed their terrible and
ever'memorabe struggle against the forces OF
Napoleon in no other light than as an abso-
lutte duty, incumbent upon them as subjects
The word liberty, which had been the rallying
cry of the Spanish patriots, was now interpreted
as signifying the absolute power of the king
and all those that would not admit the justice
of this Interpretation, were deemed by Ferdi-
nand and his counsellors as rebels, worthy OF
the severest punishment.
Immediately on his return from France, he
showed that he was determined to reign, not as
constitutional king, whose right to the throne
was founded upon the will of the people, but as
master over slaves depending altogether upon
his pleasure, and whose attempts at limiting
his power would be considered as treason. which
their former sacrifices in his behalf would not
prevent him from furnishing with the utmost
severity. 1t then became manifest that many
of the mobiles, and especially the monks, had
excited the nation to resistance against Joseph
Napoleon, not because he had mounted the
throne in violation of the right Of the Spanish
people to choose their own ruler, but because
he had abolished the prerogatives and priv
leges of the clergy and nobility, and made the
attempt at raising the lower or poorer classes
of the nation to a more elevated social position.
The privileged classes, in part, combined
therefore, with Ferdinand, in order to quench
the sparks of liberty which the war of indie
pendence had kindled in Spain. He himself
refused to go to Madrid to take the oath of
fidelity to the Constitution of 1912, and took
up, in March, 1874, his residence in Valencia
while collecting an army of 10000 men. Over
this body of fanatics, robbers, and murderers-
because such were the greatest portion of
them-he made General Elliot commander-in-
al. nl. a.. i
celebrity, on account of his sanguinary perse-
cutions against the Liberals. Aided by this
force, and by the Vaccinations of the clergy,
the youthful tyrant won complete victory over
the friends of the constitution. Scarcely six
thousand of these-the noblest sons of unhappy
Spain-headed by the heroic Nina, were able
to save their lives by seeking refuge in foreign
countries.
The tories, who then ruled the destinies of
England, and the allied princes, who had
exhorted the European nations-and among
these, the Spanish-to rise in defence of liberty
against Napoleon, took not single step for
the protection of those brave Spaniards who
had contributed so greatly TO the ultimate de-
feat of that formidable warrior, but looked on
with evident Indifference, while they were
butchered or exiled, at the command of an in
solent and cruel despot, and by the instigation
of villanous monks.
But, no wonder; we know now, that the
allied monarchs and the mass Of the British
tories, Notwithstanding their high-sounding
declarations of hatred to despotism, did not, in
reality entertain particle of true love for lib
erty. While struggling against the ascendency
Of Napoleon, they were no doubt wishing for
freedom for themselves but, in spite of all their
hypocritical protestations, it was never their
sincere resolution to make this blessing the
common property of the European nations.
The arbiters of the destinies of Europe did
not therefore, interfere in the blamable meas
ures of the king of Spain. He proceeded,
consequently, boldly in his course, which had
for it's object to reduce the Spaniards to that
state, from which their mistaken
but heroic efforts against Joseph Napoleon and
the armies of France had for while aroused
them.
But, having crushed the Liberals, Ferdinand |
was himself rendered the slave of the Cana. |
rtttd-as the notorious combination of his |
nearest attendants was styled. They-as is |
often the case with courtiers-gloried AFRO
gantly of their triumph, not the least suspect |
ing that liberty would soon grow powerful
enough to drive them from their stronghold.
Meanwhile, France, though she had lost her |
political ascendency, and was humbled by the |
presence of 10000 foreign warriors, under the |
of the Duke of Wellington, are |
NAMED, nevertheless" as Relteck justly re-
marks, considered in the point of view of |
interest the first and most i'm
portant State of the world. Friends and |
enemies of liberal ideas looked upon her as a |
model State, and received, from what transpired |
within her bosom, hopes and apprehensions |
instruction and warningl" Yes; France was |
hen, as it is still, the heart of Europe, and its
every pulsation was felt, and is felt, Throughout
he whole of the European continent. Conse |
Iuently it was then, as it is now, watched with |
anxious eyes by the other great Powers of Eu- |
!ope, as the moving spring of political agita-
ions.
But France had, after the restoration of the
3ourbons, become the battlefield of two hos
lie political parties, contending for superior
ty, OF which the one was composed of all
hose who cherished liberal ideas, and advoca-
ed the faithful adherence to the Constitution
While the other was formed by the great ma
ority of returned emigrants, and others claim
ng the restitution of the ancient privileges TO