The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-03
The Character and Development Of the
Spanish Revolution.

FROM inc ~. II. defuCU,
The Spanish revolution has evidently upset
all the preconceived ideas of the rest of the
world with regard to the Spaniards. There is
a great deal of speculation and comparatively
little known about the movement outside Of
Spain. The British and French press--and,
indeed, the press generally throughout the
worlds floundering in uncertainty as to the
character and development of the revolution.
Nearly all the newspapers in Europe and par
ticularly those of England, underrate the re-
publican character of the movement. Look
ing at it from monarchioal point of view,
they are blind to many important facts, and
do not wish to see anything more than a mere
change of dynasty. The reigning powers and
monarchists of the Old World are afraid of
republic or even republican experiment in
the peninsula, and reason against it. Hence
il is difficult to get at the truth through Euro
pean sources.
Whether republic be inaugurated or mon
archy be restored on such liberal basis as
only would be possible now the revolution is
democratic and republican in its character and
tendency. If it were the movement of a
dynastic or political faction, or of some ambi-
tious chief, it might be only ephemeral and
shortlived. Spain might fall back unde~
chronic despotism in one form or another.
And this is the view generally taken of the
revolution. 1t is said the Spanish people are
not intelligent or ripe enough for a republic or
broadly liberal institutions. We think the
manner in which the revolution was brought
about and is being carried through shows
great deal of intelligence elevation of charac
ter and a well-matured purpose. 1t was not
the movement of party or faction, but OF the
whole people. 1t was a grand political earth
quake which upheaved the whole peninsula
The fires have been smouldering for ages
though seemingly extinct. Their action
reaches back to the time of Ferdinand and
Isabella. Through all the long period of
darkness, monarchical and priestly despotism,
and national decline, the Spanards have never
forgotten their former greatness and glory, nor
was the love of liberty ever extinct. The
liberal and progressive ideas Of the age have
penetrated the peninsula and quickened the
latent love of freedom and ambition of the
people. The CORFU ptions of the Spanish Gov
ernment and enormous weight Of taxation
were the immediate causes of the revolution;
but il is evident there was another one more
deep-seated and powerful at the bottom. Free
dom, political equality, and repubcanism are
the natural otfsprings of the progress of this
enlightened age, and the Spanish people could
not but realize this fact.
Perhaps nothing has contributed more
towards the revolution in Spain and political
enlightenment of the people than the history
growth, and influence of this country. The
Spanish people study and admire the great
American republic. Everything American is
popular and fashionable. Even the manufac-
tured articles of the United States are bought
up with avidty, when they can be obtained,
and used because they are American. Our
late civil war has made wonderful impres-
sion upon the Spaniards, as, in fact, upon all
Europe. The magnitude of it, the results, the
way in which we raised armies of Millions and
the easy dispersion Of all these to their homes
and ordinary pursuits when the war was over,
have astonished the world Spaniards and
Europeans generally cannot but be deeply i'm
strength OF the Government, and greatness OF
the republic. The incidents of that revolu-
tionary period are known all over Europe.
Where has the fact that four millions of slaves
was emancipated not penetrated The assas-
sination of President Lincoln has become as
we'll known as that of julius Cesar, and will
be scarcely less famous in history. In illus
tration of this we will notice what occurred to
an American gentleman who was lately travel
ling in remote part of Spain. In an out.of-
the-way village, removed from the lines of
communication and intelligence, where a
foreigner is rarely seen, this gentleman was
asked by villager if he were an Englishman.
He replied, "No." "a Frenchman" "No;
am an American" he said. "Ah, Ameri-
cano ~ responded his questioner, with agree
able surprise. "Did you know Lincoln ?'
Little as this humble villager knew about the
world, the name OF Lincoln was familiar. The
United States are exercising silent but
powerful influence over spain and Europe
generally, and the effect may be seen in the
Spanish revolution.
There is undoubtedly a strong monarchical
party in Spain, though some of this party are
so not because they dislike republican insttu-
tions, but because they are in doubt as to the
practicablity of establishing firmly republic
The republican sentiment is gaining strength
every day. II is said by those well acquainted
with Spanish affairs that both General Prm
and Espartero at heart favor republic. 1t is
doubtful if the Emperor Napoleon has much
influence in Spain, for the Spaniards have NJ
love for the French. Whenever those monarch
lists supposed to be under Napoleon's influence
talk about king, the republicans head them
off by pointing 10 MOntpensier as the man
This, of course, is clincher. When the
opposite party speak Of a chief E5partero il
pointed to-, as he is believed to be a republican
at heart. So we see there is a good deal OF dr.
humor combined with the eaTnestness of thest
Spaniards in their revolutionary movement
1t will be found as difficult for the monarchist
to get suitable monarch as for the republi
cans to succeed in establishing republic, anC
from the lights before us we are inclined Il
think it will be more difficult. However, tn
Cortes are soon to be elected and to assemble
and then we shall know whether Spain is t,
be republic or monarchy. At present tn
current of popular sentiment runs favorabl,
towards republic, though some of the chief
are for monarchy.
jenkins in GaIena.
From The NJ Y. World.
The eminent DIR. Butler, In the course of hi