The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-25


existing in the minds OF many TO learn the antece-
dents Of the leading men engaged therein in order
to base an opinion on the probable success OF the
movement warrant the publication OF the following
biographical sketches.
sketch Of General Prim.
Don Juan Prm, Lieutenant General IN the ma
tionai army of Span viscount del Brusch; Count de
Reus Marquis de los Castilleos and Grandee of Spain
Of the First Class was born on the 9th OF December
1911, at Reus, in Catalonia, and was educated for
the army. He made his first campaign as an officer
In the Spanish civil which followed the accession
of Isabella Ii. to the throne of Span in 1888. He
poused the fortunes of the Queen Mother, Christina
then regent and fought for her with such zeal as to
win the rank Of colonel ON the failure OF her cause
and the hight OF the Queen, Prm associated himself
with the party OF the prOgresisas. This party bears
about the same character Spanish politics that the
wings do in English politics, and in the present revo-
lutonary state Of the country may be kened to the
liberals OF Mexico against Macmillan. The pro-
gresistas at that time were opposed TO the measures
of Don Baldomero EsparterO Prince Of vittora, who
became on the hight OF Christina Dictator, and sub
sequently Regent OF the kingdom. This EsparterO Is
the same with whom Prim is now associated in the
present revolutionary movements. In 1888, how
ever he and Prim were bitter enemies. He accused
out in saragossa in 1912, and the latter forced
to take refuge in France Here he joined the exiled
Queen Christina and with her engaged in efforts to
bring about restoration.
Shortly after his flight he was returned as Deputy
from the city Of Barcelona to Cortes the Spanish
Parliament Congress. The fact OF this election
was sufficient protection to his person. and he ven
tured to return to Spain to take his seat Espartero
was still Regent but did not venture to arrest Prim.
Prim, however, ventured to engage in movements
against the Regent, and Joined the coalition which
formed between the friends OF the exiled Queen
and the prOgresistas against Espartero. In May,
1S43, he headed insurrecton in his native city OF
Reus, from which, however being speedily driven
by ZurbanO, one OF EsparterOs lieutenants he took
refuge IN Barcelona. While standing siege in this
city the power OF ESparerO was broken by the entry
OF Narvaez into Madrid The subsequent fall of
Espartero and the return Of the queen Mother to
power made HIM a general, with the title OF Count
de Reus and the post of Governor OF Madrid.
But this state OF affairs was OF short Duration
fresh nsurrectiOn broke out in Barcelona, which, 1t
was hoped, General PrIm would put down. but he so
employed the force at his disposal as to keep Catao-
mia in revolt for an entire year. For this he was dis
graced by the queen and tried for high treason,
well as for completely In an attempt TO assassinate
General Narvaez, but was acquitted on the hast
charge, while his sentence on the first was reduced
to a few months imprisonment.
From this time until the breaking out OF the Turk
ish war, IN 1855, he kept himself aloof from public
life. He then joined the Ottoman army on the
Danube and distinguished himself in the affairs OF
Oenltza and Sllisria on his return from the East,
in 1854, General Prm published at Madrid an account
of his military travels in the East. together with
historical and geographical essay on the Turkish
empire. In 1856 he represented Barcelona, for the
second time, in the Lower Chamber OF the COrtes,
and was raised To the dignity OF Senator three years
later.
In these several wars he some distinction
aud in 1858 or 1859 was made lieutenant general of
the Spanish army and Captain General of Granada.
In $50 he sent against Morocco and distinguished
himself during the short war which ensuel. His
bravery the eDQaQemeut OF CasttlleiOS him
the marquisatc Of that title.
In the autumn of 1851 General Prim was appointed
TO the command or the Spanish expedition against
Mexico and was ordered, IN accordance with the
terms Of the treaty Of London to cooperate with the
French and English forces In enforcing redress from
the Mexican government for alleged outrages COM
United on the coalesced Powers. His original
i to Genera Prm aSa he entered With great
vigOr into the war. ~ was matter Of considerable
withdrew the spanish troops to Cuba without orders
from the home authorities. This action on his part
gave great offence TO Louis Napoleon and created
considerable fear at Madrid, where the inference
exercised by Napoleon is very great Prim
called and an examination was made into his con-
duct. In the Spanish Cortes on December o. 1862,
General Prim spoke IN his defence declaring that
while he was not and never had been enemy To
France he was not content TO be the tool OF her or
of any foreign Power. He had been sent to Mexico
TO enforce certain claims In the interest of Spain,
not to conquer dominion for France; and when
he saw that France intended 90 inaugurate an
exclusively French policy In Mexico, In violation
of the treaty OF London, he had Withdrawn his
troops. me government oil SPAN would nave been
glad to approve the conduct OF Prim but dared not,
and the French influence at the court OF Madrid
cured his dismissal from Madrid and his exile to
0veidO. He did not leave Madrid to 20 into exile,
however, until August l3, 1864. When he did leave
the pOpuace took occasion TO express their love for
the man in demonstrations of regret at his de-
parture.
General Prm will he wei, remembered in this
country since his visit In 1854, which made him so
familiar to the American public. lie was for time
a guest OF the Army OF the Potomac and thence was
escorted over the lines tour Of inspection OF the
rebel armies. He wrote some letters on the civil
and military condition OF this country and the armies
OF the North, some OF which he had an opportunity
Of reviewing, and spoke OF them In the highest
terms OF admiration He spoke and wrote as a true
friend Of America and her institutions, and at the
same time evidenced his strong progressive and lib
eral opinions. His letter on the United States
created considerable CONSERVATION in Spain and
Cuba: and II IL suspected that its publication the
browning offence against mOnarchcal institutions
In France aud spain which decided his fate AMI
made him an exile. The praise which he bestowed
on our Institutions, armies and people was too strong
Tor the digestive powers OF ms fellow noblenen, aud
the Old hdalgo antproRressive stock VI old Spanish
nobility refused 10 consider his conduct less than
criminal.
Disturbances between the democratic or progress.
sta party and the government Of Spain took place
IN 1865 which General Prim was suspected TO have
fomented.
out al Aranjuez and Ocana, and General Prim put
himself at the head OF the insurgents, issuing at The
same time his famous proclamation M follows:--
which revolution the only Of the the
duty or honorable the of
able military forces, and number of armed counr,
hasten all sides fight under my for the
OF freedom and fatherlsnd nv banner last mani
iesto Of The Proucssa Central Committee with IN my
S ss s my .n yD ss,. as
point Of making laughing stock among foreign nations
and bringing the Of shameful bankrnptcy
ders-who have already fought under order-sou are
aware that have forssken and that stand
by In this enterprise shall know how lead YOU
showing you the path 10 victory aud remnnerang
your cndeayor Fellow citizens Of honor aid me you
too TO bring 10 happy end political which may
DO away with the necessity OF that social with
which threatened Spsnards hurrsh for liberty for
The programme Of the Central Progesists Committee the
constituent Coresi
The attempt proved abortive and ended on the I'D
or June with the bloody suppression OF revolt in
the city OF Madrid. lts leader made his escape TO
Belgium.
Severalfntile attempts at rebellion were made In 4
the eastern provinces during the year 1867. hut the
government troops easily quelled each rising
The present u the most formidable, at least Of |
those under the management Of General Priln who /
left his exile In Belgium aud France 10
direct the revolution.
Personally he Is u man considerably below the /
t.I.lIa atx tasth.