The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-26

The news from Spain is unusually important.
The old Bourbon monarchy of the peninsula,
which has in late times been subject TO
many convulsions, is again in a revolution
airy condition. Two regiments of cavalry, sta
toned at Aranjuez and Ocana, revolted on the
4th instant. Nearly all Of the superior and
many Of the inferior officers took part in the
movement. Letters from Madrid state that
military risings (pronunciamientos) had taken
place in several provincial towns and that the
troops in the capital were confined TO barracks
The very last news says Madrid was under
martial law, and that martial law had also
been proclaimed at New CASTLE. Considerable
excitement was reported at Barcelona, and
crowds there were dispersed by the military
Besides the revolt of the cavalry at Araniuex
and Ocana, and the several military risings
spoken Of the press despatch says the insur-
gent garrison of Avila had reached Portuguese
territory and was disbanded. Vague and
incomplete as the information from Spain IL,
enough is given to show that the whole king
dom, and particularly those parts of it border
ing on Portugal. is in a revolutionary con-
dition. The government cvdenIy is using
every means to suppress the facts For the pur-
pose of allaying apprehension both al horse
and abroad. In the confused and imperfect
account Of this affair it is sid in one para
EraI..: that the movement has no importance,
and finds no support among the people" and
that 'Madrid ana the provinces rem'ined
tranquil" But though the capital was re-
ported quiet, martial law was proclaimed.
If there were no danger, and il this
revolt of few troops did not arise from dccp-
seated political causes, why 80 much anxiety
about It? Why think of proclaiming martial law
in the capital, and conine the soldiers there TO
the barracks! The revolt Of two "incompiete
regiments" or Two complete regiments. is not
in itself a very remarkable event. Such
thing occurs often in a country when there il
no danger, great political significance, or neces-
sity for martial law at the capital 1t might
arise from want of discipline, local dIsaaec-
ton, or dislike OF particular comm snder.
But in this case there is something moro
serious. The anxiety OF the government
deep meaning, or danger in the revolt.
Ano her part of the despatch throws more
light on the subject II says "the movement
was organized by the progrcssistas and that
the cry Of the insurgents was, viva Espartcrol
viva Prim r" This shows that the movement IL
q political one, and must hive deeper
seated cruse than the caprice of the soldiers
engaged in IT, The progressistas are tie re-
formers of Spain, MS the Bright. anu Golden
liberals are OF England; The difference Is, how
ever, that the rcformcrs Of Spain are moro d.
rcctly and violently opposed TO The 'Qheen and
her government. The conduct Of lsABells, po-
Gtical and otherwise, the influence of the Bigoted
and ntolerant priests over her, the hatred ~
her husband, and the old Bourbon hsughay
resistance to popular mcvenents asd The spirit
Of the age which she inherits and exhibits, sse
the real causes OF this revolutionary movement
The names which are the rallying cry u .ths
insurgents, Espartero and Prim, show thespint
which animated the insurgents. The former, 10
will be remembered, is the old general who
subdued the formidable Carlists during tbe
civil war in Spain, and placed Isabella on,tho
throne He was the most powerful man in.she
kingdom, and has always been liberal. Gene
raj Prim, II not so distinguished al soldier at
the head Of such great movement, Is not less
eminent as statesmen. He, too, has occupied
the highest positions in the kingdom. Espar-
tero, though liberal, is, perhaps, more Of n
moderado than Prim, for the latter Is regarded
az progressista Of the broadest views. We
have reason to remember General Prim
with esteem, for he was one Of the few
statesmen or prominent men in Europe who
sympathized with us in the darkest hour Of our
struggle to preserve the Union, and who was
opposed 70 the monarcbical alliance of the Old
World to undermine republican institutions in
the New. He was opposed 10 both the French
intervention in Mexico and the quixotic
schemes of bis own government with regard to
the spanish American republics. In fact, he Is
about as near being republican as a man In
bis position could well i've. These are the dis
tinguished men whose names are invoked by
the insurgcnt soldiers of Spain; and there il no
doubt that the ..vivas, uttered for Espartero
and Prlm found an echo in the heart Of tho
Spanish people.
But the disease that aifiicts Spain Is social
and political, and the seat Of IL II In the coadi-
ton and hearts Of the people. The Madrid cor
respondent of The Paris Temps seys socialism
has advanced with giant strides, and the cor
respondent OF the London 7a'ses says Spain
has passed from the utter negatiou to the mosa
dangerous abuse Of political life. The increase
of mendicancy, and Of all the outward evidence
Of real misery in the streets OF Madrid, has at
tained gigantic proportions" Such are the
seeds Of revolution always, and when growing
up with these there is widespread military
disafection, the danger becomes imssibenf-
u. a. "a L.. - -