The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-09-05
SPIRIT or THE PRESS.
EDITORIAL oPuIoNs OF THE LEADNa JOURNALS
UPoR CURRENT ToPICs-ooMPnED EVERY
nay FoR THE EVENING TELEGRAPH
rhs 1nsurreetlon ln spaln.

R,-o,t ne NJ Y. Tribune
Some years ago it was commonly reported
that Louis Napoleon had proposed the reoogni-
tiou of Spain as one of the great powers Of
Rurope. and her admission to the Conferences
which undertake the peaoeable solution of
Great international complications. Spain, at
That time, had an area by far exceeding that
of Prussia; her population was only about
two millions less than that OF Prussia but ex-
oeeded it if all her colonies were counted in.
There is no reason why, under an able admin
istration, Spain should not have exceeded
Prussia, and have asserted, without any formal
recognition, her right to be respected as one
of the most powerful nations of the Old World.
But Spain has been declining for centuries
from want of good administration. Her natu-
raj resources have not been made use of, and
the people have grown in ignorance and indo-
lence. Thus the Government has come to be
despised abroad as well as at home, and the
idea of admitting Spain among the leading
nations of Europe-if the proposition has ever
been really made-could only be laughed at.
There have been few lucid intervals in the
general gloom of modern Spanish history.
Such an interval was the brilliant administra-
ton of Espartero from 1887 to 1856. Since
then Spain has been alternately ruled by Mar
vaez and 0'Donnell, who if not equally des-
potic, were at least equally opposed to a
constitutional form of government, and to all
thorough-going reforms. Spain, as every other
country of Europe, has its progressive party,
which demands freedom of the press, freedom
of religion, extension of suffrage, and in gene
raj the carrying through in legislation of the
popular will. This party has worked with
great energy, and not without success. AS long
as it was allowed to publish liberal papers,
the party was strongly represented in the
daily press. They were power in all the
large Cities and in particular in those of the
eastern provinces, Barcelona, Saragossa, Va
lenoia, Tarragona, and others. Their efforts
for the regeneration of their country are
worthy of the highest praise, and though they
were not successful, inspired a large portion
of the people with confidence in better future.
If the Government had given them a fair
chance at the general elections, they would
have fought with peaceable weapons but as
despotism deprived them of all possibility to
show their strength at the polls, nothing
remained for them but to show it in insurrec-
ton. And in this, as the recent history of
Spain shows, they have not been remiss.
Twice during the year 1866 an attempt was
made to rid the country of its despotic Gov
ernment. Both attempts failed; but they
showed that discomfort with the Government
prevailed throughout the kingdom. In
December of that year stirring proclamation
to the Spanish people was issued by the re-
volutionary Junta of Madrid, and widely cir
utmost efforts have been made in the prepara-
tion of the insurrection which broke out about
a month ago. We gave few days ago full
statement of all the intelligence that has thus
far been received. As usual, it largely con-
sists of rumors and contrary reports; but the
declaration of siege throughout Spain, and the
proclamations of the generals and the COVER
nors of provinces leave no doubt that this time
it was not military revolution exclusively
but that in many places the people took al
active part in it, The insurrection has now
been in progress for more than three weeks
and according to the latest cable dispatches, il
was meeting with success in the Eastern pro
vinces, and even held control of the city o
Saragossa, the capital of Aragon. We shal
probably have to wait only few more days tC
learn the final result. The Government has
concentrated all its military power to crush
the movement if it fails in this, the insured
ton will probably march to an easy victory.
The head of this, as of former instructions
is General Prim, the acknowledged leader o
the Progressive party of Spain. Prim is OF
intimate terms with Garibaldi, and it is stated
that a number of Garibaldian volunteers arr
already fighting in the ranks of the insur
gents. 1t is certain that, in case of success
the insurgents will not be satisfied with
change of Ministry, but will expel the Bourbon
dynasty from Spain, and call a National Con
vention to decide the future government 0
the country. A year ago the Liberals wer
mostly in favor OF a union of Spain with Por
tugal but since then the Portuguese Cham
bers, as we'll as the King, have declare
against this plan, which, therefore, is said t
have been abandoned. Probably the leader
of the Liberals are at present not fully agree
on this point and will leave its decision to tn
majority of National Convention.
Another Proclamation.