The Montana post., 1868-10-23
THE CONDITION OF SPAIN.


quire more particularly than We have
yet done concerning the present condi-
tion of that turbulent country, TO ex-
anime into the general causes of the re-
cent revolution, and to look. so far as in
our power lies. into those future devel-
opments which are to result from the
new order of things.
There is no country in Europe which
shows such a history of tyranny as does
Spain, with its records of it's iDquisition,
religious intolerance and degradation of
the masses. So severe and thoroughly
systematized has been this oppression
that Spain has been among the last to
grasp at the more liberal ideas which
pertain TO the higher civilization of the
/ 10Th century. Her people have not,
/ however. neglected numerous attempts
TO throw off the yoke which royalty and
the Romish church have placed upon
them. After having been made the foot
ball of France tor nearly twenty years
by its royal masters, Spain obtained in
1912 liberal constitution, but political
changes and revolutions soon brought
with them revival of the inquisition
and all the old forms of despotism, un-
der which the people were compelled to-
groan until in 1920 another insurrec-
tion compelled the constitution of 1912
to be again proclaimed, the inquisition
was abolished and the press declared
free. Political absolutism together with
all the oppressive machinery of religious
fanaticism were. however. soon restored
under Ferdinand VII. who was forced,
for the purpose of sustaining
himself. to rely upon the
strong arm of France This order Of
oppression continued with but little
interruption until 1887, when, a revolu-
tion being in progress in support of the
claims of Don Carlos, (the brother of the
recently deceased Ferdinand VIII TO the
throne, the government was again COM
PEELED TO make concessions TO the Lib
eral party and TO adopt the so-called
modified constitution of 1912. For
few years Spain now enjoyed compara~
tive prosperity, but after the ascension
of Isabella III. to the throne in lS43. the
o-d order of. things began again To- pre-
vail, but in 1854 illiberal legislation had
so far progressed that another revolu-
ton was threatened and the Queen
found herself compelled TO restore the
constitution of 1887. But this improved
condition of affairs lasted scarcely two
years The old systems of oppression
were again restored and Spain seemed
relaxing into the same condition which
characterized her in the days of the In
QUESTION. Not only were the laws dis
tasteful and unjus but the ruler. Queen
Isabella. who had charge of their exe>
cution, had in no manner endeared her
person to the people, but had, on the
contrary. by her Loose morals and gross
tastes awakened in all her subjects a
detestation for her and for those hang
ers on which composed her Court.
For few years previous To the ascen-
sion of Isabella TO the chrome, and under
temporary supremacy of liberal ideas,
the people of Spain had seen their coun-
try blessed with q prosperity which 1t
had not known tor centuries. They
saw new roads and canals constructed,
mining encouraged, industry and trade
put on a firmer basis and the functions
of the public affairs discharged with in
tegrity. Under Isabella they saw the
power of the Church restored, found the
4 Queen more solicitous for the welfare of
her favori:es than that of the people,
and relying upon the influence of the
support upon the throne, rather Than
upon the affection of her subjects. One
/ fifteenth of the entire population con-
sisted of mobiles. many of whom were
endowed with vast landed possessions.
aud the people at large were poor and
degraded. What wonder is there then
that they desired a change, no matter
what, believing that their condition
could, in no manner. be made worse,
while it might possibly be improved.
The soldiers aud Sailors Were as poor as
the civilians, for they had failed to re-
ceive recompense for their services from
the government, and in addition to this,
their favorite officers had been exiled by
the Queen For their ruler they had
no love, no affection for their officers ex-
listed, aud there was no money in their
occupation Having therefore. no in-
ducement to remain longer in the ser
vice of Isabella III. they abandoned it.
The object of the revolution with its
chief movers was. with some. a sincere
desire TO benefit their country. and with
others the qualification of a selfish ambi
ton, and from the conflict of these two
u