The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-09
NEW YORK HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER g. 1ses-rRPLR SHEET

root of existing Institutions, and is more
likely to advance than to stop short by the
adoption of moderate measures.
With regard to Spain herself the question
arises, are the people prepared for q repub-
lican government should it be the purpose Of
the leaders to establish one? The impression
has been general throughout the world, out
side of that country, that the Spaniards are too
ignorant, priest-ridden, unacquainted with
selfgovernment and unstable to establish and
maintain republic. Has not the world been
deceived? The Spaniards have shown them
selves in former times to be great people.
Their wars, conquests, extensive commerce,
colonies, literature and high state of civiliza
ton before they were broken down by bad
government show that the original stock pos
sessed the highest qualities of the Caucasian
race. These qualities may be there yet,
though latent, and may be brought out again.
At all events, the manner in which the present
revolution has been effected proves great
power, intelligence and resolution in large
portion of the community, if not in the low
est strata of society 1t is impossible
for us to see at present, and perhaps
the Spaniards themselves cannot, what will be
the end of this movement. Time alone will
show whether they will have republic or
monarchy. 1t has yet to be seen whether they
can maintain either or are launched into sea
Of prolonged revolutionary trouble. 1t does
not strike us that they have made the best be-
ginning in the formation Of government,
with all these presidents and vice presidents.
It Is hydra-hea affair and rather indica-
tive of weakness Still it is only provisional.
The Spaniards may learn and improve as
they go on, and succeed in establishing good
and strong government.
With regard to the colonies, the revolution
ary government should not embarrass itself
about them. With the abolition of slavery,
which now appears inevitable, the colonies in
the West Indies will be Of little value to Spain.
They are more likely to prove, as st. Do
stances, troublesome, expensive and weak
ness to the mother country. The best thing
that could be done now would be to sell Cuba,
at least, or all of them, to the United States.
They may be lost any way amidst the contagion
of revolutionary excitement. They may be
plunged into the horrors Of civil and servile
war, as st. Domingo was. To prevent such
evils, to save the honor Of Spain in the event
of the colonies being torn forcibly from her,
to secure the friendship Of America and to put
good round sum in the Spanish Treasury at
time when 1t is much needed, the colonies Of
country. We call the attention Of Mr.. Seward,
the President, our Congress and the govern
ment Of Spain to this matter while the times
are favorable.
In looking at this Spanish revolution in
its possible effects upon the rest Of
Europe 1t seems to be pregnant with the
most important consequences. In the present
enlightened age, when the magnetic tele-
graph, railroads and the press diffuse ideas
everywhere and with electric force, and
when the masses Of mankind are moved by
such revolutionary shocks, as the crust Of the
earth was lately agitated by an earthquake far
away from the focus of action, is there not
reason to believe that France, Germany, Italy
and other parts of Europe will be profoundly
disturbed? Oppressed with stupendous debts
and the heaviest taxation, crushed to the earth
by extravagant royal governments and enor-
nous standing armies, and suffering the
most abiect poverty, the people Of
those old countries must feel deeply
the impulse Of such & revolution as
that in Spain. There lie, doubtless, a
deep undercurrent silently at work now
in favor of political and social emanci-
patton. Should the Spaniards establish
a republic or remain in disturbed state how
will it affect France. that centre Of revolu-
tionary fire, and the dynasty Of Napoleon ?
Will the Emperor of the French stand still
while the movement is going on? Or will he,
to save himself, attempt to stem the tide or
plunge Europe in war to keep his subjects
occupied and distracted through the sentiment
Of military and national gloryP Would not
Prussia under such o state of things push her
conquests in Austria and make grand con-
solidated empire of all the Germans? Would
not the revolutionary fires in Italy be re-
kindled2 In whatever way we look at this
extraordinary movement In Spain it may
prove especially embarrassing, or even dan
gerous, to the Emperor Napoleon. However,
the shadows of coming events are not suff-
ciently defined to judge of the future. We
must wait further developments.