The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-08
THE SPANISH THRONE VACANT.


If the so-cslled revolution, now as it would
seem an accomplished fact. was inspired by
any other object than the deposition of Queen
Isabella, it is certain that no such object has
yet emerged into view. The situation at Ma
drid is indeed very curious. and to q cursory
survey wholly inexplicable. In any other
country, perhaps. it would be impossible.
But in Spain, when we consider the history
of that country for the past three quarters Of
a century, it must be regarded as neither
strange nor anomalous, but as altogether
Spanish. The seeds Of the present troubles
were sown during the reign Of the imbecile
Ferdinand. He bequeathed to Spain an effete
dynasty and throne which has been the
plaything of rival factions. The schemes and
conflicts of these factions, revolutionary as
they have sometimes been called, have never
yet, in the broader and deeper sense of the
word, possessed the character of revolution
That is to say, they have never yet aimed
at fundamental change in either the po-
litical or religious institutions of the coun-
try. Thus, no sooner was the recent movement
against Isabella successful than the provision
al government representing it formally
denounced the idea of establishing republic
in place of the ancient monarchical system.
There is no reason to doubt that this denun-
citation corresponds with rooted sentimentin
the mass of the Spanish people. We're they ripe
for republican revolution, the present crisis
..~,.lS xv.s~ 90. --xs--s-- Isssr~----' nm
queen in exile, the ablest generals and the
bulk of the army against her, the throne va
can't and at the disposition of the nation, no
interior obstacles would exist to the inaugu-
ration of republic if the hearts of majority
of Spaniards were earnestly set upon the ac-
complishment of such result. As it is, the
uuasi-revolution which has just taken place
seems to have no relation to fundamental
principles, but thus far, limits its scope to
abolishing the rule of an obnoxious monarch
and her unpopular advisers. In this as
peos IL is uppruprfare1y symbolized by a
vacant throne. But this, of course, can
only be temporary state of affairs.
If Prim and Serrano have no thought of
an eventual republic, they must think of
perpetuating monarchy, with such constitu-
tional notifications as the case may seem to
require and, as corollary to the latter sup
position, they must think of filling the throne
with more acceptable monarch than the
fugitive queen. And at this point, from
present appearances, all looks dark before
them. OF the several candidates for the
vacant throne who have been mentioned,
strong likelihood for the succession can hard
| " be asserted of any. England is supposed
to favor the Duke of Aosta, son of Victor
Emanuel; and France is supposed to favor
| the union of the Spanish and Portuguese
| thrones in the house of Briganza now reign
| ing in Portugal But it is impossible to
| know how either of those arrangements would
| suit the popular mind in Spain. The grea!
trouble with Spain is, at bottom, the Spanish
people As individuals possessing many great
and noble characteristics, as political com.
munity they appear to emulate even the
Turks in languor and lifelessness. Yet,
withal, in regard to whatever touches the in
tegrity of Spanish nationality and the tradi
| .:---l- ---H-Al-:------I-y-.-s ls-s------
proud, sensitive and jealous beyond example
in history.
In view of the foregoing remarks, we car
scarcely believe, as some of our contempora
ries do, that the quasi-revolution just accom-
plished in Spain is the signal for revolution
in Cuba which will sever that island from it
colonial connection with the mother country
To be sure, Cubans may conspire and attemp
revolution now, as they have done in forme
periods. But the new administration o
Spain will doubtless be quite as ready and q
rigorous in opposing schemes to make Cub
independent or republican as any of its prede
cessors have been.
As to the idea that felicitous opportunit.
is now offered for the annexation of Cub
to the United States in response to a sponta
neous impulse of the Cubans, we emphaticall
doubt whether it is justified by facts. 1t i
certain, indeed, that the wild reign of RAD
calism in the United States has greatly damp
ened republican ardor among Cubans AM
almost utterly extinguished the though
among them of Cuban annexation to tn
United States They have seen enough o
the beauties of carpet-bag rule in Louisian
and elsewhere, and they are not anxious t
try it on.
Nevertheless, it is probable that event
which are taking place in Spain will effect
change in the commercial relations of Cub
to the United States very favorable to tn
trade of the Southwest, and consequently t
the commercial interests of this city. Fo
the party now in poweris pledged to libers
commercial policy, and the removal of th
heavy tariffs on American produce shipped t
Cuba is a recognized feature of this policy.
If any citizen is improperly denied regii
tration by the supervisors, we trust that b
will Immediately take legal steps to assur
his rights, instead of appealing to the ''trool