The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-10
SPAIN.

Form OF Government Yet Undecided-The
Leaders for n Monarchy, the People for a
Repubic-The Abolition OF Religious Pen.
siOns-Slavery Qaestion-rroubIe in the
Ministry.
MADRID, Oct. Is. 1868.
Doubt and uncertainty still reign in all political
circles OF Spain. The provisional government has
yet given sign OF calling together the Cortes with
which rests the decision as TO the form OF govern.
ment to be selected for the Spanish people, The
government has now been IN power nearly month,
and SUFFICIENT time has already elapsed to enable 1t
to perfect the necessary details by which free and
universal expression Of the will OF the people could
be obtained. There Is certainly no reason why an
election should not have been called before this
II the right OF suffrage Ia to be enjoyed
BY all citizens 1t certainly requires but little
preparation to enable the voters to ex-
press their choice at the polls. The universal
wish OF the majority OF the people has been
clearly shown through the Juntas and that wish is
for popular decision to the form OF government
to be adopted. The people do not want the pro-
visonal government alone to decide so momentous
question, however able and patriotic 1t has proved
ITSELF 1t Is question that rightly belongs TO the great
mass OF the popoation and not to the few who just
now hold the relns power Perhaps il on account
OF the very importance OF the subject that tho pro-
vlsona government Eesitates to take the first steps
towards solution. The people are ready to select
the form OF government that best suits their aspira
tons and desires, but the provisional government,
holding different views. halts and hesitates
and loses ground daily. The pet scheme
OF Serrano and Prin cannot readily be
given up. They must have constitutional mon
archy, In which the King and sThe power behind the
throne" are everything ana the people as hereto
FORE nothing. The people not ready for repub-
lie, say the leaders IN the provisional government,
and 80 they must put up with constitutional mon
archy until they are prepared by education for
thing better. But how they are going to carry out
their designs without coming in contact with the
people 10 question that undoubtedly occasions them
many doubts and fears. They must see, as every
sensible observer clearly sees, that the republican
element Is growing with rspidity and strength
that will soon overwhem every other party
in Spain. All these delays In giving the people
chance 70 express their wishes strengthens and
deepens the democratic SPIRIT among the masses.
While Prim and Serrano are holding on to power
and writing letters to French journals in which they
advocate q monarchacal form OF government the
and increasing their forces The advocates OF re.
public are stronger to-day than ever before, and
more than one man who never before dreamed OF
any other than royal ruers now believes that the
people can govern themselves. The country has sur
vived for almost month without queen and has
republics have nourished at the same time ON
the penlnsula and the people have neither
cut each others throats nor committed any
has been exceedingly satisfactory and people
are quite willing TO try Il still further,
succeed in their wishes. even II two or three gener
ala should desire otherwise The democratic party
exhibits more life and vigor than any other existing
organization They have the ablest journals In the
country, and they have entered into the canvass
with dash and Judgment that their opponents do
not display. The union liberals, a. whose head u
serrano, are now holding the defensive, and the re-
suit VIII be vastly deren from the Alc0iea contest
the progresssIas are likely e greatly reinforce ,ne
In advance than 10 fall back no they are pressing on
closely in the footsteps Of the democrats. sngulary
they little expected. The Caris!s are NOV
ing for Q republic, but not for tho best
motives. They wish 70 onlld build, w soen =, =
In order TO show the people that only monarchy
founded on divine right u adapted TO their wants
tue motives Of the carsls ia subborting THE move
ment Tor republic. then assistance Is OF considera
bic service IN advancing the popular cause ~ y
very doubtful whether Don Carlos viii live 10 enjoy
the fruits Of has crafty designs. The republic when
fallen viii not increase his hold on the people. though
II may strengthen his position with the yalisfs VI
Spain. With all these clements at work in favor OF
the republic ITS chances o increase daily and
n a vote could be iaLiy Obtained Today doubt not
that more than half Of the provinces of Spain would
declare for that form OF government. Al the feeble
devices OF the PROVISIONAL government TO change
the current OF opinion are worse than use
less. they really Increase the popularity OF
the democratc movement by drawing at.en.
ton TO IL. A popular vote two weeks ago
would have been but the echo OF the voice Of
Prm and Topetc Now Il would show how little IN.
iuence their lavorite schemes have on the people.
Afer all then the policy OF the government may 10
attended with the best results for the democrats
who have not, as yet. l0st fingle point IN their
skfuy played game with the lovers OF tue imperial
the old order Of things are discussing the claims Of
the various candidates 10 The throne Dom Fernando
or Portugal stands as high any OF the candidates.
but he really very little strength outside OF
tue provisional government The great MASS Of the
people are not at all anxious 10 have him Is king
and the Portuguese are stu less wiling 10 see MIN
on the Spaulsn throne. The PROJECT OF an Iberlau
UNION ID by no means popular Que In Portugal ami
the people there naturally fear that !, might be
carried out IN case Dom Fernando became
King OF spain. IL IA also Understood that
that gentleman would decline the honor n rendered
HIN BY the people, so IL may be safely assumed thai
Don Fernando win not be the next Spanish King. AZ
Tor any others named, none have the slightest
would be fatal IT, their prospects, All hesc troubles
In selecting King strengthens the republican party
because there Is really less difficulty m founding
republic than IN choosing popular person TO wear
somebody behind the throne. The advocates OF q
CONSTITUTIONAL monarchy have not any Idea Of having
. man In power Who would be eyery inch y king.
They have certain schemes Of theif own may be
became the apparent ruler Where viii they fnd che
man with the requisite cornplaisancef
fthe Cortes Ia not Ia session the people are not
likely to suder from lack OF new laws. Never was
there . moro laborous and prolific body than the
provisional government Every member u un.
the statute books and the Gdseits Nv daily
arosniur under the weight OF wisdom tina.
these Solons turn out. Fortunately many members
have been editors Ia olden times, and there y ou,