New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-02-11
SPAIN.


MADkiD, jan. D hO')'
II is long time since my hat lester, and t'e
evolstiobs of Spanish politics in TIE meal 'i''
have been int. resting. Narvaez, the enei o' '"o
cid Hcdersdo party, has fallen, and' 'i'e' : -
ssa warmly contested game for power u1.s
yearly month, when this country was ""
without cabinet: the forces Of the ke'ceon'SS
Xve,e NOT snf,eent. and the marsh 81 AL 'rs IN
mat direction was checked by ne entrance u the
v.s.nt Ministry to power. Bat 1t Ia FOR the
vresent nothing more than : eOech' IDS 1e'c-
sep;sts began Immediately 10 rema'thsl their
Arses and prepare for killing opposi.ion to The
vresent Government. They baye been successful
n O. tabhsbing for this purpose powerful coalition
with the immediate followers of Naryaez, and that
Apsder himself, who after intriguing for Two months
n vain for bis own return 10 the first place in
power, has consented at length TO play secondary
yart, under the lead Of Don Juan Bravo Murillo,
Who has also succeeded in uniting 10 his support the
Count Of San Luis and his followers, called POLtcos
or Poles, being the same who const,tu,ed The Gov
anmentoverthrown by the Revolution OF July, 1904
The principles of this strong party, or strong Co
alitiOn of partissns, are not very Wen dehneo ou1
Reir policy is war TO all liberal principles, and the
consolidation of an authority absolute and despooc
h its essence, though perhaps under the mask OF
SEINE sort Of a thing which shall bear the name OF
Constitution.
The actual Constitution of France, in its part
relating to the legislative functions and duties and
privileges ofthe Legislative Assemblies is evidently
the model before the eyes Of this party, and toward
which they are straining.
Meantime, the actual Ministry, composed OF men
Of considerable ability has planted itself upon the
platform Of the Spanish Constitution of 15i5-not
very liberal, to be sure, but which provides Tor a
real exercise of power by the people; establishes
n NE. IL as.NI
efdeegaes elected by the people master Of its own
action and organization, independent Of the royal
authority, master of the purse-strings, and whose
vote is necessary TO the making of all laws.
Tho Queen, upon the fall Of Narvaez in October
last, becoming apprehensve, as she Justly might be,
Of the inevitable result if she persisted in the reac-
ffeDary march Of the Government, and which must
ksve produced by this time the outbreak of armed
revolution, sought to stay progress in that direc-
ton and hold fast. She has succeeded for two
montbs-a sOrt Of parentbesis in Spanish politics,
which is just about to close. The Ministry have
been able to keep things along for this length of
time without taking any step in any direction; but
the impotence of the country il at its hight, and
this period Of passive resistance to every tendency
ceases on the 18th inst. (day after to-morrow),
when the COrtes will begin their deliberations
The position of the Ministry is difficult in the
extreme. On the one hand, the present Cortes,
elected under the pressure of the despOtic rule of
people by the army in 1856, has Il clear majority for
reaction and the suppression of constitutional
rights under the lead OF Bravo Murillo. At least,
such are the calculations of the friends of that
leader, unfortunately too well sustained by the his
tory of the last session of this Parliament.
Their infamous gag-law upon the press, their law
putting the interior organization and rules of the
Legislative Houses out of their hands and into |
those Of the Crown, their establishment of the law
of entailment of landed property aud hereditary |
6enatorship indicate the tendency of the majority
Of these servle and couuptly returned Deputies.
On the other hand, the Ministry has not chosen
30 dissolve this Parliament and proceed TO new
elections of Deputies, because undoubtedly, un.ess
ahese elections should be tempered with to an ex-
tent which the Cabinet is unable or unwilling to
undertake, the Deputies returned by the electoral
colleges restricted they are, would be so far IN
advance of the Ministry on the side of Liberalism,
"a 10 make their continuance in power for any length
Of time impossible. Add TO this the natural Oppo-
sition of the Crown to the dissolution of Para-
nent which has given such evidence of its extreme
seryihty and devotion to the cause OF the Throne.
The Ministry has therefore determined TO meet |
the COrtes as they are, trusting doubtless, to the
means which the possession of power affords them |
for influencing the action of these model legislators
N their favor. In Spain a Cabinet must be weak |
indeed which cannot procure the vote of majority |
sfDeputes in its favor, whatever may have been |
heir former position and antecedents.
But there are moments in the history of every |
nation when all ordinary calculations fail, and the
best trained politicians are unable to fOresee the
course of events for three days ahead.
Tomorrow the Queen is expected to open the
session Of the Cortes in person, and on the next
day 9th inst. will be first and perhaps deci
sive trial OF strength for the Speakershp Of the
lower House-Or Presidency of the Congress of
Deputies, as it is here called.
Don Juan Bravo Murillo s the candidate of the
Absolutists, or cOaesced reactionary party which
hopes to give him the Speakers chair step up
to the Premiership The Cabinet candidate is Don
Luis Msyans, a former Speaker, and who untes to
his evident merit and ability in other respects the
additional circumstance that he is own uncle to
certain captain Of cavalry, supposed TO be the most
intimate and dear friend of the Queen at this present
moment. Her majesty has just given birth 10
Prince, heir to the throne and hope of heraynssty
and he~ naturally tender sentiments fer the young
man. it is thought, will give great strength TO the
uncle in the canvass for the SpeakcIship Of the
Congress Of Deputies.
To-day, this canvass presents most rcmsrkabe
aspect, and which in the United States cannot fail
10 excite surprise. My information is positive and
reliable, that of the 220 Deputies who are expected
to be present for the vote for Speaker, upward of
$50 have promised their votes for the candidate Of
the Ministry, giving clear majority of 40, or
fhereabout for this candidate. But the surprising
part is that Of these very 300 Bravo Murio counts
l47 positively pledged 10 his support, leaving only
73, or thereabouts, for the Ministerial candidate
The fact is evident that some thirty or forty of
these patriotic gentlemen pledged on both Sides
and as the vote is by secret ballot, they expect to
be able 10 congratulate the winner, aud claim the
advantage of having contributed 10 the success of
the triumphant party IN any event.