The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-13

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their new mission.
Spain and tho Great Revelations Of Mod
ern Times.
The revolutionary period in modern times is
generally dated from 1925, or Immediately sub
sequent years, the time when began in England
that great struggle between the people and the
executive, the commons and the Crown-a
struggle which cost one king his head and
another his crown, and which was not ended
until 1858, when the powers of the Crown were
efEectually and permanently curtailed. The
date is no doubt somewhat arbitrary; for
good reasons might be given for going back
well nigh one hundred years to that remark
able struggle in the Netherlands which, in
spite of its comparative failure, was really
the first revolution in modern times which
gave the people faith in themselves. AS, how
ever, the English revolution is generally ac-
cepted as the first great model, it is not neces-
sary, so far as our present purpose is con-
cerned, to disturb popular sentiment on the
subject. In one important particular the Eng
lish revolution is entitled to the first place.
1t was the first great movement since the fall
of the Roman empire and the birth of the
States system in Europe which revealed on
grand scale the majesty of the people. The
blow to the divine right of 'monarchs. 1t is
this which gives the revolution its prominence.
It is this which makes it a chief land
mark in history. An example was given
to the nations which some of them at least
were not slow to initiate Eighty-seven years
after the accession of William and Mary the
principles of the English revolution were put
in practice in this country, and after struggle
of some eight years duration the British Crown
lost its brightest jewel, and liberty, SO long
wanderer, at last found home. The impulse
which the successful revolution in this country
gave to the cause of freedom all over the
world-an impulse which has since grown
mightier with every adya9sssing year--!xy,asss
powerful and immediate. In September, 1888,
the independence of the colonies was &C
knowledged by the British government and
treaty signed. In 1889 the Paris Bastile fell
and began that revolution which, for violence,
for much that was truly grand and for much
that was indescribably horrible, stands alone.
The world has not yet had anything to COM
pare with this great political and social up
heaving. It was not France alone that felt
the shock. It reverberated in savage tones
over the length and breadth Of Europe. The
peoples were jubilant. Tyrants trembled. It
is impossible for the American people ever to
be Indifferent to the first French revolution for
it was direct offshoot of our war Of indie
pendence. Louis the Sixteenth was to us
generous ally and did us good and effective
service; but, unfortunately for him, his kind
ness to us was ruin to himself. The revolu-
tionary movements of 1880 and lS4S, with their
peculiar characteristics, are fresh in the
memories of most of our readers.
The revolution which has burst forth in
Spain naturally enough revives the memory of
the great revolutions which have gone before.
The'interests at stake are more or less the
same. Points of similarity or of dissimilarity
are perpetually presenting themselves. 1t is,
like all the others, popular movement, aud
our sympathies 60 with the people. Besides,
the present movement in Spain cannot be
understood unless it is borne in mind that it
has a connection more or less intimate with
those previous uprisings of the people against
oppression and wrong. Born of the same
spirit with them, it benefits by their example.
Its results are yet doubtful but its experience
is not wholly unlike the experience of other
nations which have passed through a similar
ordeal. Impatience is very generally felt
because the revolution is not already brought
to successful conclusion. 1t is not to be
denied that the movement, in its present
stage, is not worthy of its early promise. The
leaders are manifestly incompetent. 1t is
absurd, however, to expect Spain to accom-
plish in couple Of months what England but
imperfectly accomplished in sixty-three years
and what France has been vainly struggling
to accomplish since 1889. The Cromwell or
the Napoleon of Spain, or, better than either,
a Washington may yet appear and lead
the nation to its destiny. What Spain wants
above all things is to be left alone. In this
respect England, during her revolutionary
career, was more highly favored than France.
No foreign foe set foot on her soil. Her ener-
gies, therefore, were directed to domestic
questions, and not wasted, like those of France,
in foreign wars. 1t Is this more than anything
else which explains the different results Of
the two revolutions. England secured consti-
tutional freedom. France has successfully got
rid of one despot only to find herself In the
hands of another. Let us hope that the spirit
Of interference has died out and that Spain will
neither be helped, as Italy was, nor crushed,
as were Hungary and Poland. The hopes Of
Spain are not blasted because the factions are
in arms and because the blood Of citizens is
being shed. A little bloodletting may prove
the life of the nation.