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

Correspondence Of the National Intelligencer.]
MADRID, jan Is, 1866.
THE pRIM rebellion.
If we are to believe the official des-
patches lately published in the Gazette,
which is at the present juncture the
only paper allowed to furnish us with
news concerning the revolt, 1t must be
inferred that General Prim and his men
will cross the frontier and reach Portu-
gal quite safe, though not perhaps per-
fectly sound. Other people, however,
who for nothing OH earth would put the
slightest faith in anything the Govern
ment SAYS about that Generals move
ments, are, on the contrary, expecting
him and his cavalry back in Madrid al
most every hour, and already expatiate
on the pleasure which his return will
afford to everybody, excepting O'Don-
nell and his whole set. When the sort
of information that works upon the
anxiety and the credulity of the public
is of so contradictory character there
can exist no doubt that for any one not
thoroughly initiated into the Govern
ment's nor the conspirators' secrets, or
entirely familiar with the augur's art, it
is next to impossible to know what to
think of the chances of success that may
attend the present revolutionary at
tempt.
For my part, rather fancy that Gen.
| Prim will indeed be in Portugal before
| long; and that his retreat will naturally
contribute very materially to calm the
state of alarm under which all took the
| field. [This has been confirmed BY
later advices, as our readers Will recall. ]
THE POLITICAL PARTIES IN SPAIN.
could perhaps do no better now than
| give rapid sketch of the different sec-
lions into which the public opinion of
the country 10 divided; thus enabling
your readers to understand the actual
causes and objects of the aggressive atti-
tude taken by General Prim and his po-
litical friends, and likewise the future
conduct of the diverse parties represent
ed in the Legislature recently opened.
During the attempts made in 1872 and
1920 for restoring the representative
form of government, which ever since
Philip the Seconds time had been abol-
isned in Spain, there hardly were more
than two political parties in the coun-
try-ths Absolutist or Anti constitution.
al, and the Liberal or CONGREGATIONAL.
When, after the death of Ferdinand
| VII, this form of gOvernment was final
| ly re-established, the Constitutional
party broke by degrees into two different
sections. which assumed the respective
| names of"Moderadon and "Pr0gresista"
parties, Conservatives and Wings, as
| the English would perhaps call them.
About the year l855-two other parties,
the "Union Liberal'' and the Republi.
can. made their appearance, Both Of
them had, before that time, given un.
eouivocal signs of existence; but 1t was
| nos till. then that they took a decided
| positiW as real militant parties.
The Absolustists profess the doctrine Of
| the divine right of kings, and con-
seauently, condemn all sort OF repre-
sentative government, all kind Of liber7
| ty, all manner of progress. This party,
always directed by the clergy, is hume
rous enough or, rather too numerous,
| chiefly in the rural districts. The
Moderados," though affecting to sus-
tain constitutional principles, have new
| er been strong supporters OF liberal re-
forms worthy of the name. They are
| the smallest Of any of the parties in
Spain, and do by 10 means enjoy much
popularity throughout the country
The "Union Liberal'' came to life IN
progresses Irbcf1 uuctrliiey;, mir iiis III.
troduced many u good reform. This
party, the most numerous one In Spain
Is composed of nearly all the prominent
and practical men, both of the old
+" Moderado" and Progresista' par
ties, and none has yet come up to it with
regard to discipline and ability. The
4" Progresistas used to be the most
numerous party here, before the exis-
tence of the /" Union Liberal, and the
formal appearance of the Republican
party gave occasion to the great major
| ity Of its members for leaving it and go
ing to one or the other Of the two latter
parties. On the whole, the doctrines Of
| this party have always been more libe-
raj than those of any other Spanish par
| ty protesting constitutional monarchi-
cal principles. Had it not been for the
Progresistas," who were Queen Isa-
bellas' best supporters during the last
civil war, she would not perhaps have
occupied the throne. But this party,
which has so liberal platform, and
which is full of other excellent condi-
tons, never could possess one of the
most necessary qualities, the discipline
which would make it fit for governing.
Hence its having hardly ever obtained
nor lost power, otherwise than through
some disturbance or other. The Repub-
lican or Democratic party processes the
essential principles of modern republic
canism but though forming already a
rather considerable section, it has no
chance whatsoever of getting into Of
flee for many years to come, or at least,
of keeping it during any length of
time. This they are perfectly aware of;
and, therefore, they accept their mis-
sion of mere apostles Of a doctrine not
destined to give its fruits until some
other generations shall have passed
away.
Every one of the five parties just mem
toned is very much divided, with the ex-
ception of the Union Liberal which Is
now in power. AS anatural consequence
| thereof, it is hardly possible to say who
their respective leaders really are
Commonly it is thought, however, that
the Absolutists have no particular lea
der at present. and that the f" Modera-
do" the "Union Liberal" and the
Progresista parties are respectively
under the leadership of Gen. Narvaez,
Duke of Valencia; of Gen. O'Donnell,
Duke of Tetuan and of Gen. Espartero,
Duke of Victory. The Republican par.
ty usually looks on Senior Orense as its
founder, and the small portion of it that
follow the true republican doctrine con-
slider him their principal leader; while
the greater number who profess social
ist ideas, have almost every year One'or
more new leaders.