The New York herald., 1868-04-24


Marshal Ramon Maria Narvaez, Of Spain.
Don Ramon Maria Narvaez y Campos, Duke OF
Valencia and Marshal in the Spanish army, whose
death Is announced by telegram, was born at Lola,
Andausia, August T. lsoO, and was consequently in
the sixtyeighh year OF his age After the return OF
Ferdinand VII. he entered the army az a cadet in
the Walloon Guards. In 1922 he joined the liberal
party, ana, under the command Of General Nina, he
made the campaign OF Catalonia against the
guefTuteros. He took Castle Foit by blowing mp
one or the forts. Here he was wounded and in
presence OF the French army was forced to seek
retirement at Lola. There he remained until the
death OF Ferdinand VII, in 1892. Two years after
wards ne TOOK rank as captain in the army sent
against the Carlsts the BASQUE provinces In s6 he
had risen to the rank OF brgader under EsparterO
Having been commissioned to pursue the Carist
Senepaa Gomez VINO ad hitherto eluded M pursuit..
the plains Of Maaceite, near ARGOS, and routed him.
From that time Narvaez became popular that ne
was regarded by politicians as a rival OF Espartero
He next spent three months in roofing ont the
brgands from La Mancha. when he was made Cap
tain General Of Old CASTLE. then COMMANDMENTS
Chief Of the army of reserve, destined to counter
balance the army OF the North and the party OF Es-
partero. This move was folled by hspartcro, who
had General AaiX raised to the Cabinet. He had also
been elected TO the COrtfs member for Seville; and,
OH the formation in that city of revolutionary juna
by COrdOva he repaired thter to aid that general in
his movements against Espartero, between whom
and himself there existed strong feeling OF jealousy
Dut the InSurrectlOn was suppressed ana NarV3rZ
was compelled to seek refuge in France in 1910. lie
was joined there by the Queen Mother Christina.
In lS43 he placed himself at the head OF the Chris
tinos, landed at Valencia defeated General Seoane
at TOrrejon de ArdoZ, July %, 1s43 and made lis
entry into Madrid, thereby overthrOwng Espartero.
Next year he became prime minister and was ere
ated field marshal, Count dc Ca1adas Atlas ana
Duke de valencia. The administration Of Narvacz
was. was. reaction against the liberals He recalled
Maria Christina and revised the constitution Of 1897
The reform of 1si5 botted out The principle Of the
popular sovereignty, established limited fran
obi onfa. rI,a
Senator'S restricted the liberty the press aud Inc
freedom of municipalities. Riots were the conse
quence but the iron hand OF Narvacz put them down.
However, his imperious ways irrtated his own parry
and palace intrigue upset his power February 10,
1916. After having been ambassadorat Paris, he WIS
recalled to power in lsi7, but his qrarcs Win
Maria Christina resulted again in his resignation.
On october TO- 1s40, he was once more recalled ani
confirmed in power In 1850 by tic support OF TIE
majority OF the people The attitude OF Spain toward
foreign Powers began to assume greater dignity
under the administration of Nar1aoz who opposed
the British governments attempts to inter-
fere in Spanish ahalrs with a lirsness that Cd
to the withdrawal Of the 'ristish Minister Sir Henry
Bulwer, and the interruption Of diplomatic relations.
until reconciliation was eiecred by King LcopOd OF
Belgium. His great influence in the government at
length provoked the jealousy Of The Queen and
caused him to tender his resignation January 10,
1851, to become ambassador TO Vienna. The revo,n-
tionary movements that agtatcd Spain from 1854 TO
1856 allowed Narvaez no cnance to assume u roe.
But Just accordingly the influence or C'EOnEcu
gained on that Of Espartero so the popularity Of Mar
vaez who was appointed TO the french embassy, be-
evident. Thus IL happened that amer the
ter revolution OF July H. is56, Naracz was called
power after O,Donnell's BRIEF reign. Narvael how
ever, did not figure in the principal rae. the Mar
Ques dc pida selected chief of the Cabinet. The
concordat OF 1851 with the Holy See, which had been
modified on various occasions, was restored TO its
original character Immediately after The advent
OF Naryaez to power, October l3, 1885. Among the
members Of this new Cabinet was the present Cap
tain General of Cuba, Lcrsund Narvaoz ut once
set TO work to restore royal authority, blot out all
traces OF the revolution Of July, N5l purify the ad-
ministration, impose greater restrictions on the
press, and also the impcdments that hamrered Ill
the action OF the conmrnes and provinces. The
outbreak at Malaga November 16, 1885, put
down by force OF arms. general amnesty to tie
Carlist rebels OF 1855 ana 1856 was promulcated
by strengthening the influence of the crown in the
Senate, making the dignity of the Senator hcrcdi-
tary and admitting as members 10 It the dignitaries
OF Church and State. he also caused sringent laws
to be enacted against the liberty OF the press and IN
troduced laws FOR the administration Of nuniclpaI
aud provincial affairs after the French model. This
alienated from him the sympathca OF d considerable
portion Of the conservative party nc AZ length ten
Cabinet was followed by that OF Selores Armcro and
Mon, November Is, 1857. April 26, 1868, the uilsold
Church property was returned 20 the Church. Since
then the places occupied by NaivaeZ need only be
enumerated as the events accompanying them are
fresh In the memories of our readers. lie sue
ceedcd the Marques dc Mira1ores President Of the
Council and head of q new ministry in september,
1864; sigpalizcl his return to power by putting a
be made way for General 0'Donne in June, 1865,
only to return to power IN 1866
italy Spanish. 0'Donnell prone 10 follow
the French lead in international policy. Espar-
tero the English Narvaez was exclusive, ana would
probably have better suited an american inter
venton policy. His influence in Spain Is undoubtcd,
and with proper regard for the peculiar habits and
ideas of nation like the Spanish that important ana
valuable portion OF European III doolnatic society
can easily be wrcsed from the influence of western
European diplomats. Narvael was imperous ana
exclusive in his policy, wrong-headed IN some things,
but proud and noble In the main. The policy OF Eng
land and France in the general poiiy Of the world
ill-accorled with the ideas Of hdalg0 Ike Narvaez
Sooner than allow spain 10 play second nddle to
England and France, the Duke Of Valencia would DO
OF the United states. Hence his mcuOr. though
now under veil in this country, VIII probab.Y re-
ceve justice at the hands of Americans wlthiI the
memory OF the present generation.