The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-17
THE SPANISH REVOLUTION.

10 the ThrOne-Cuba and Annexation.
Cosds de EspaSa form still the uppermost topic OF
the day. 1t has been very long time since Spain
has had 1t In her power to interest 'the world and
the rest Of mankind" as she ia now doing. so many
years has that magnificent country been but blank
Tor black) spot on the map-nOnatnts unabrdi
Spain How was 1t possible under such caption
to attract the slightest attention when the whole
modern world including especially those apostles OF
progress and enlightenment entitled newspapers
and travellers, gave the Peninsula the goby; when
1t was but vast cavern OF corruption and igno-
rance, sleeping inert mass lying PROSTATE at the
feet OF Europe capable Of exciting only Indifference
on all sides and to every spectators so
the "things OF Spainn have not only been
hitherto null and sunk into sea OF oblivion,
but the very mention OF her name when perchance
made, has been bore to all ears. The O'Donnells,
the Esparteros the Prms, with their various move
ments and pr0nunctan,tentos, ending at or before
birth in puny Jtasco; the occasional shaking OF
Spanish dry bones when all else was momentarily
quiet on the European Continent as II they were at
last about to get up and start on tramp-all passed
by like the idle wind. True In beholding the mod
ern Spaniards, degraded to brutal degree Of igno-
rance and dedled by sensual corruption, we were
compelled to remember that they came of q strong
race; the historical record, although written In
power the high exploits the accumulated riches and
the vast domain upon which the sun never set. the
grand regns Of Ferdinand and Isabella of Charles
w. or Philip H. OF Saragossian resistance to Napo-
leon l. But how foreign has all that been to the
Spain of the last half century The gl0ries Of the
past have been 30 far removed from the late reali-
ties, striking In contrast as to be regarded almost
myth.
There are many causes which could be adduced to
explain tins utter collapse that befe the Spanish
nation after such brilliant fortunes. When Its
power and commerce, warriors and statesmen failed
and came to an end, the whole ediHce tumbled and
fell through for 1t was based purely on prowess Of
arms and cunnlngness Of statecraft. 1t was sup
ported by no intellectual props by no innate move
ment acknowledgment OF the mind In that people
which might have evolved from the old Roman
stock transmitted through the Middle Ages portion
of what is now known as modern civilization, con-
trlbuted to by all the nations except Spain. This
evident supneness OF brain, this spiritual lacking,
may in turn have resulted from the influence OF race
or from the intermixturc OF boods-possbly brought
illustrations sufficiently numerous to show that
the Spanish people have always been good deal on
merce and Of arms they enjoyed in the past, but
never Of any time have they been ana ap pic
ventOrs, like the other peoples OF the earth.
Their steriiity has been unique and remarkable.
They have never contributed to science in an original
sense, and to-day their entire literature, native and
to the manor born may be rightfuly said TO consist
In one bOok-Cervantes' 'Don Quix0te." Now,
however excellent and justly celebrated may be this
admirable work, IL cannot be said to combine all
those varied intellectual creations and displays
which decorate the escutcheons OF other nations
Works OF genius are certainly i'll replaced and but
poorly compensated by brute courage, silly preju.
dIces, absurd blgotries, gambling fine dancing and
have harder years under the yoke OF ignorance
bestality and tyranny than ever did Spain and yet
how great Is the prestige OF Italy; now pleasantly
1t Is the old Italia OF the Romans, but because It
represents the greatest writers, poets artists dis.
coverers, statesmen and warriors who contributed
80 largely in the modern age to cylize barbarous
Europe. From beyond the Pyrenees nothing akin to
se srs se
dead-sesson Of ideas has prevailed there, with what
sad and humlliating results Is but too plain A
ierence-that Of intellectual vitality between
the people inhabiting the Iperian peninsula
all 10 explain the past and to sift the present
dition or Spanish AFFAIRS. Truth may present Won
deru contrasts; but the truth. II may " remarked,
s the bsss sfs nk sSSss. IN IN
Considering Spain and the Spanards we are forced
traits touching them near, however much we may
and do all wish them success In any efforts they
may make to elevate themselves at the family board
OF the nations.
DRIFT OF THE PRESENT REVOLUTION.
The actualites OF the situation in Spain excite
that quarter was looked for Yet the events we are
spectators Of to-day give some promise OF terminal
ing in successful revolution; we know that thirty.
five year reign OF darkness. visible, tmbecity and
pollution has suddenly ended hence curiosity Is on
tptOe to observe what the rev0lutiOnsstS Will make
q me country now That tney nave Il IN the, ine asaus
have gone to work right speedily In order to make
OF It q taou,a rasa.on paper. up to present
the proclamation style and bulletin board
literature, containing. the finest and broadcast
a ,he intricate e9estions that s obsiruct the
OF other countries far ahead In the races and
granting liberties OF all kinds-education religion,
speech, finances, emancipation, liberation from old
abuses OF thousand years standing and what not.
In short, none can hesitate to remark that the new
regime inaugurated In the last few weeks looks well
in black and white; but in calculating the probable
chances OF Its In practice 1t becomes
sary TO recolect the cabre OF the men who are to
act as its executors and the circumstances under
which 1t has been brought about as well as the con-
dtlon Of the people for whom II is proposed. 1t IL
been led by the order OF Jesults ana driven by long
race OF tyrants, who have been taught and encour-
aged to disregard the pace Of the rest OF the world,
and who by nature cling tenaciously to their tradi-
tiona usages, can suddenly leap into the funess OF
American repubcanism or of English constitution
alism. Inst1ated by Priu,, effected by means OF the
navy and army, sanctioned or rather unopposcd by
by the people, the present revolution has been far
q job OF easy execution. The Central Junta at the
capital aud the several Juntas IN the provinces,
which were instituted OF the outset and on the spur
OF the moment, agree to constitute happy family.
earnestness In the good work that they should see
before them. The Head Centre from Madrid an
nounces In advance the grand, fundamental aims OF
the movement, sketching their outlines on paper In
order that much may be considered as settled TO
begin with, only renting TO the shoulders OF
CUrteS Constituencies to lie elected by the people at
large the mere detail OF deciding the national will
In regard to the form OF government Apparently
this smacks Of inconsistency; but, then, revolution
must strike when NJ white heat, aud the blows are
dealt hastily, the steps taken nc doube-quick. One
great advantage Just now clearly possessed by the
their own hands and keeping TO shape its future as
best they are capable OF doing There IL no likell-
hood Of another Intervention across the Pyrenees,
such that Of the Holy Alliance In 1928, or that Ma
poeon ILL., would throw himself gaily and wanto.y
into wasp's nest, spain would be TO an invader.
Indeed whatever influence that stu very potent SOW
creign may manage TO exercise indirectly upon the
dcstiuies Of the country tue French themselves adj
NIT that other and more urgent affairs require the
presence Oi his battalions the Rhine, wnere, say
they their whole army immense as II ~, VIII not he
too much to cope with the difficulties awaiting
them--and that a French Intervention In the PENN