The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-14

under the thumb of daring demagogues
Such an institution keeps everything in
a state of disturbance while the "Prog-
resistas' happen to be at the head of
public affairs, and the recollections il
leaves behind are enough to inspire the
fear that the same kind of confusion
may ever be repeated. 1t is no wonder.
then, if neither the Queen nor the sensi-
BILE part Of the nation feel any relish for
the idea of having the ''Progresistas" in
power.
THREAT OF GENERAL pRIM IN 1864.
The increasing discomfort the "Prog
resista" party experienced for not being
called tolthe councils of the Grown was
very great, when, in the summer of 1858
they decided to abstain altogether from
taking an active share in the general
elections that soon after were to occur.
In May, 1864, the party had large
meeting at Madrid, on the occasion of q
memorable breakfast, and Gen. Prim
then declared, in public speech and in
a menacing tone, that his friends would
| be in power within two years and a
day from that date. The Queen, who,
| in spite Ofwhatever may have been said
by certain people, behaves in very con-
stitutional manner, and acts with q
rare discretion, has since that time
been doing, in an indirect way,
everything consistent with hel
proper dignity in order to induce the
"Progresistas" to resume the normal
| functions that are incumbent on them
as political body. 1t was chiefly with
this design that the O'Donnell admins
tration came in last summer, and that
| he adopted some measures of a most lib
eral character such as the recognition
of the Kingdom of Italy, the electoral
reform and others. But all in vain for
although good many "Progresistas"
in fact, nearly every one of them except
| the central committee sitting at MadriG
were satisfied with these generous adj
vances, the party was prevailed upon not
to appear at the elections that took place
a few weeks ago. Not having, therefore
wished to accept the legal course tina
was open to them, the "Progresistas'
were naturally actuated to try 10 Obtain
office by violent means; and it is FOL
these reasons that General Prim ha'
lifted up the standard of rebellion.
Nl " OBJECTS OF THE REBELLION.
| With respect to the definite objects o
the attempt, the proclamation issued by
him states that these consist in the de-
fence of the platform adopted by tn,
central committee of the "Progresista'
party in November last. and in bring
| ing in Legislature that shall reform
upon that basis, the constitution of thu
country According to said platform
the party aspires to the triumph of liber
ty in every respect. They pretend t
endpw us with Individual security, will
| the freest exercise Of every right apper
tanning to civil and political liberty, witt
great reductions in public expenditures
with judiciDus reform in the custom
house tariffs, with complete decentra
lization of municipal and provincial cor
porati0ns, with the introduction of tria
by jury, with a new electoral reform
with freedom Of the press and cons
cience, and with "a constitutional mon
archy, inspiring esteem at home ant
respect abroad" The ambiguity of thu
programme isperhaps tue most remarka
Bile feature it contains.
The Senate voted yesterday the neces
sary permission to impeach Genera
Prim in default. s.FEe.