The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1868-12-01
SPAIN.

SPAIN.
Spain. which has heretofore existed Us
monarchy, has had such li,tle prou.i-
acuee in The political world, that the news
OF arevolu,iOu 10 that Kingdom has TO-
ken ssery one by surprise.
In order to obtain some correct idea of
the present status Of tat country, it is
necessary to take a retrospect: Prior to
the present century. the government OF
Spain was called a limited monarchy, al
though, in fact, absolute. 1t consisted of
a representative, assembly, called the
Ccr'ss, chosen b. the people; but all the
acts of that body were subject to the alb
solute veto of the King. This form Of
government, which wa. established by
Ferdinand and Isabel, in the course of
time became the mere tools of the reign
ing head; and, as the government de-
generated; as the representatives of the
people became corrupt, so the arts and
sciences languished so Spain sank from
Der high estate as one of the leading pow
ers of Europe-frst to mediocrity, then
to iDsiguifcance. In 1901, the mass
Of the people had become so disguised
with their government, that when the frat
Napoleon crossed the Pyrennecs at the
head of his troops, instead of being met
as an invader, he was almost greeted as a
dellycrer. Before his eagles the throne
of the Bourbons crumbled to dust and
after defeating the British troops which
were sent to the assistance of the Bour-
bons, and the retreat of Sir John Moore
made even memorable by his heroic
dea,l-Napolcon established his brother
Joseph upon the throne as King ofSpain.
lis reign was brief. One of the most
amiable Of men, he lacked capacity nee
essary to govern the wild and hcterogc-
neOus population that composed his King
dom. And it is probable that the British
soldiers, during the Peninsular War, and
the one that preceded it, diffused among
the mass of the people their ideas of gov
eminent. which, taking root, caused
throughout the whole Kingdom discon-
tent and dissatisfaction.
q On the eve of anarchy, the Kingdom
cut up into factions, life and property at
the mercy of the brigands-when the
British troops entered Spain second
time, under the lead Of Wellington, the
tickle populacc Aockcd to his banners,
and With the defeat of Marshal Davoust,
Bonaparte ceased to be King of Spain.
The Bcurbons were re-established upon
the thronc-the old form of government
again reinstated. and the people satisfied.
This form of government was contin-
ued until the present year, when the peo-
pie becoming again disguised with the
recklessncss and profigacy oftheir rulers,
arose ia mass, rejoined by the soldicry,
defeated the troops Of Queen Isabella, re-
established their constituent Cortes, pro-
claimed provisional government, and
the revolution was accomplished.
With the avowed objects of tie revolu-
tion-to establish a rcpubllc-'we can
sympathize and thus far the action of the
rcvolutionists were regulated by the true
spirit of patriotism. But with the pro-
visional government came the scramble
for the spOils. Factions, like mushrooms,
grew in a night. INSCRIPTIONS dema-
gogues, ambitious of place and power,
array party against party-until between
the Republicans on one hand, the Jesui;s
on the other, the Legitimists. and the Demo-
Gratis, anarchy and confusion reign su-
premc. The Republicans-the Radicals
ofEurope-following the example of their
brethren in America, have commenced a