The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-09-03
The Present Condition Of Spain.

The Present Condition of Spain.
Revolutions in Europe have become such
common events within the last ten years,
that il is hard 10 take any interest, or even
10 keep the run of them. BIT in Spain,
which for the last fifty years hasbeen worse
and worse governed after every change, ii
requires no little patience and perseverance
to trace out the wretched complications of
intrigue, tyranny and disaster that mark the
course of events. Espartero seems 10 be a
patriotic Minister, who has certainly saved
the Queen and The country on more occa-
sions than one. Bnt he is for Spain what
Lamertne was for France in1s4s, too weak
for the occasion. He had advanced, among
others, Gen. o'Donnell, who, after Pretend
ing liberal principles, turns out 10 be an un-
princpled, ambitious man. True, he is reso-
luIe; but il is only TO advance himself and
supercede Espartero, who, TOO honest and
honorable for intrigue himself, was unable
TO suspect his ally in the Ministry, until too
late. Upon some pretence of taking offence
at the coduc of another Minister, O'DonnelI
conlrlved, ut the proper moment for his
schemes, 10 accuse Esparlero in the Queens
presence, get him dismissed, and the power
lodged in his own hands. The whole scene
had doubtless been anticipated and pre- ar.
ranged with the Queen, who was anxious TO
get rid OF leader so favorable lp the cause
Of The people, and one who, therefore, put
such check on her own royal lprerogratives.
Most probably, as is now asserted, the whole
affair was arranged in Paris.
! Anticipating resistance to the people, who
| have no confidence in the Queen and but
lille in O'Donpell, the latter had contrived
10 surround Madrid with some 18 900 troops,
resolved TO become the hero of coup d. stai
similar to that which placed Louis Napoleon
In his present position. The National Guard
rose, and for long time ii was doubtful
what would De the issue. But after the loss,
some say Of probably more than 1000 lives,
the National Guard has been disarmed, aud
the Queen regning in her capital. openly
rejoices, and rewards the officers who have
committed The greatest outrage. A large ma.
joriiy of the Corles or Spanish Parliament
have, however, assembled at Saragossa,
! where the whole people, if not the garrison,
still adhere 10 liberty, and have protested
earnestly against this blow struck a, freedom
In fact, it is not yet fully decided whether
we are or are no TO have lidings of another
revolution. II is ,O'Donnell that is timid, in
spite of his success, and has issued pro.
gramme of great moderation.
What is the cause of all these revolutions
and what is the cure for themi The cause
is, of cousse, 10 be found in the difference o.
views between the Government and the gov
erned !; utter selfshness and unreliabity or
the one side, anG keen perception Of al
this on the other. The character of the
reigning monarchs Of Spain may have beef
nearly as selfish and as bad for centuries
but il has no, been known so well at home
and abroad. II is, for instance, now vel
known that the Queen, while really insiga
ting this whole movement of O'Dpnnel's
has seen and appiaudee.fhe leaders of botl
sides. in order that, whichever may win, shs
may seem to be on the successful side ant
Ihereis no doubtthat she has been all along
prepared TO discard the losing party, which
ever it may be, What confidence can bt
placed in Ach head of The executive of !,
nation as this, who sits smiling while bott
! sides cut eath others tbfoatsi
"In RomS" said Daniel Webster, .pnblit
virtue fell With private morality. The sane
tiiy of the nhptial bond is, in my opinion
one of the principal, il not the chief cause o.
the superior refinement, freedom and pros
perity enjoyed at the present time by Chris
tian naiIons,p Judged by this standard
Spain cannot be called a Christian ualion.--
Certainly The throne is filed by one of the
most notoriously profligate women of Ea
rope. For generalisns it has been occupied
by the most vicious Of royal families, with
on: truth, honesty or any other principle thar
the most intense and unprincipIed selfish
ness. With pride outside and corruption
within, almost every vice and crime scent
to belong hersditarily TO this woman, ast
yet the Spaniards endure her. lnsurreciidr
after insunecton impoverishes the country
until The richest domain of all Europe ha
become the poorest. Property, life, every
thing, is insecure. Brigands occupy th'
roads, and assassination goes on unmclestsd
and yet no man arises out Of these troubls
! in whom confidence is to bfplaced, or viii