The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-09


ing of being the friends of freedom, and the
generous supporters Of their poor countrymen,
they blushed not to send from England millions
of pounds sterling, to assist despotism aud
bigotry to commit hideOus carnage among the
Spaniards, while many hundreds of thousands
Of starving laboring men cried for bread IN
Great Britain.
The chief members Of the Holy Alliance,
who had shown so much eagerness in 1923 to
settle the internal strifes of the Spanish nation,
by the Intervention OF France in behalf Of q
despotic King and an ignorant and fana,ical
priesthood, had no desire Of seeing England or
France interfere, IN order to put an end to the
horrid scenes Of cruelty which were exhibited
in Spain, from 1883 TO 1889; because they
knew that such an intervention would have
had for its object to hasten the final defeat Of
the supporters Of the very principles that con-
stituted their own political creed.
The balance Of moral and even physical
force was certainly In favor Of Queen Isabella
and the Liberal party; but Don Carlos seemed
to have been, for long time, better supplied
with funds, which were sent 10 him by his
friends in foreign countries, and furnished by
the Spanish clergy, the great majority of whom
sided with him, and were willing to spend
some portion of their immense treasures, in
hope of preserving the means Of robhinS the
people OF their substance. Don Carlos had
also the fortune of being supported by Zumala-
carreguv, general of superior abilities, who
made his cause victorious until 1885, when
death put period to that able but misguided
warriors life. From that moment, victory evi-
IDENTITY began to favor the better cause, which,
in the renowned Espartcro, had found It's ablest
champion.
This generals victories at Luchana. at Bur
ut I,,+ al, I,
tunate campaign of 1889, and his success i'm
persuading the talented Moroto to conclude
the convention Of Begara, brought tn the
verge of ruin the cause Of Don Carlos, whose
Encouragement and mean and terocious nature
had Disguised even many of his most strCuu-
GUS supporters, and who consequently was COM
PEELED to end his sanguinary career in Spain,
by a precipitate retreat to France. There he
was long detained i'll captivity, not justihaby,
according to the law Of nations or the rights
of hospitality yet mild, compared with what
his numerous transgrcssions against humanity
appeared to deserve.
Espartero succeeded, finally. in compelling
the able and brave, but cruel General Cabrera,
the last pillar of the cause of Don Carlos, to
quit his stronghold in Arragonia, and follow
the footsteps of his worthy master, in seeking
for safety in France. Thus the hero OF Luchana
u a
Of which both parties, but especially the Carl
lists, had stained themselves with outrages to
which but few parallels are found, in the rec.
ords Of human enormities.
No wonder that, after 80 signal services to
his country, Espartcro became the iayorite Of
the nation, as he had long been of his victori-
Gus troops. The Queen Regent fastened also
to show her gratitude, by magnilicently reward
ing the hero upon whom the people in their
JOY bestowed great many signs of their love
and admiration. But, hence, Espartero awaked
in many quarters the most malicious envy,
and became the object of hatred to many little
souls.
But Qucen\ Christina had, meanwhile, as al
ready mentioned, been Obliged to submit to the
claims Of the more ardent friends of freedom.
and to swear fidelity to the Constitution of
1897 which, however did not circumscribe the
royal power so much as did that of 1872. But
her impcpious nature made her very disqualili-
ed to bear any restrictions at all; still, she was
too wise to give vent to her inward feelings,
while the Carlists maintained their ground,
and the throne Of her daughter appeared in
danger. When, however, Don Carlos and Ca
brera had been expelled from Spain, the Queen
Regent did no longer deem it necessary TO con-
ceal her real sentiments and the true patriots
became soon aware that dangers were arising
against the lately established freedom, from the
side Of the court. Besides Christina, much ad-
dicted to pleasure, had followed the dictates of
her heart, and thus, without any really blama-
BILE act of her own, lowered herself In the eyes
of the nation. Because those who know her
well assert that she has never gone beyond the
bounds which modesty prescribes to her sex,
still she transgressed the adopted rules Of pro-
priety, by taking for husband man from
among the people-thus offending the nobility,
and losing the esteem of the blind populace,
that foolishly joined the aristocracy in viewing
her marriage as dishonorable. But, in our
opinion, she deserved, on the contrary. much
credit for this very act, which was, in fact, ala
acknowledgment of the natural equality Of all
men; and which, though originating in un-
bridled love, violated no other laws than the
conventional ones of aristocratical society.
The Queen Christina, perceiving the impossi-
bility Of increasing her authority, suddenly re-
signed her place as Regent of Spain, and left
the country. The high position which she had
Occupied was, by the voluntary and spontane-
Gus decree Of the Cortes, conferred upon Es-
partero who set Immediately at work to con.
firm the constitutional freedom Of the people,
and to introduce several called-for reforms.
But it tarried not very long, ere he found him
self exposed to the envy Of the nobility, the
hatreGpf the clergy, the jealousy of the Re
publican party, and the intrigues Of some for
eign Powers. The aristocracy charged him
with unbounded ambition, because he, an up
start, solely by his own merits dared, in virtue
of a lawful decree of the highest Legislative pow
er of the kingdom, to rule over themselves. the
degenerated descendants Of illustrious ances-
tors. The priesthood accused him of .impiety
because he attempted to appropriate part Of
the great wealth of the church to the benefit Of
the State. The republicans called him trai-
tor, because he remained the supporter of the
constitutional monarchy and foreign Cabinets
plotted his downfall, because he refused to
sacrifice the interests of Spain to their own.
Yet, by his energy, and by the support Of some
of the ablest and most enlightened men of Spain,
Espartero succeeded, for nearly three years, in
quelling all the open as well as secret attempts
at overthrowing his authority. The conspira-
cies and revolts in Pampeluna, Barcelona,
Madrid, and many other places, caused partly
by the Carlists and partly by the friends OF
Queen Christina, and even in few instances
by the indiscreet and impetuous zeal of the Re
publican party, were frustrated, some by pre-
measures, and some by force. While
some OF the conspirators and rebels were treat
ed with the full severity of the law, Espartero
never evinced any disposition at revengeful
cruelty.
1t is unquestionable that the Spanish nation
was much indebted to Louis Philippe, the King
Of France, and to the Melbourne Ministry, for
its being saved from the imminent danger oe,
becoming subject to the dominion of the furi-
ous bigot, Don Carlos and that the friendship
Of the English and French Governments had 4.
q great. extent alleviated the great difficulties
with which the Queen Christina had, during
her regency. to contend with. And it can
scarcely be doubted, had Espartero been so
fortunate as to have enjoyed the same support
from the Cabinets of London and Paris, that