New-York tribune., 1868-09-23


modern history of Europe. Beside the personal ds-
modification of the Princes for the admlnlstratio9
Of so large country, several other causes hasCenso
its decline. As after the discovery Oh 20
the New World, the soil OF Spain ana lts mlneiai
treasures, both inexhaustble sources OF wealth.
were neglected for the riches of the fancled I'll DO
RADIO where, as every one believed gold was more
plentiful than iron in the old. The expulsion OK
the Jews and Moors was also productive OF the
direst results The enormous war expenditure set
tied upon the country by reqent foreign wars largely
added to the paralyzaton of commerce and industry
and the InquisitOn, which put an end 20 all inde-
pendent and freethinking, c0nsumnated the ruin OF
SPAIN UNDER QUEEN ISABEL
The reign of Isabella III. belongs among the most
unfortunate ones which Spain has witnessed. She ls
the oldest daughter of the late King Ferdinand VII.
and could ascend the throne only because her father
had changed the ancient law of succession prevailing
in Spain and according TO which the brother OF
Ferdinand Don Carlos should have succeeded Don
Carlos naturally raised the standard OF revolt ana
for five years 1884 1882 vaanty. but unsuccessfuy.
fought for his rights The disturbance caused by this
war had hardly ended when EsperteT0 the Regent and
the Queen DOwager Christina began the contest for
the supreme power during the minority OF theQueen.
Fspartero was successful from 1910 10 S43. but
compelled to flee before ODOnnell and Narvaez, and
was not restored until lS4 Frequent changes OF the
Ministry, occasional rev0ts, and the banshment oil
Queen Christina, were marked events IN the history
of the following years. number OF political
parties were dispnting among each other other
the end of the war remained numerous party.
especially in the Basque Provinces. and had the
sympathy of large portion of the clergy. The
Moderados or Conservative party were for strong
royal power and but few rights of the Cortes. The
Liberal Union advocated more liberal law OF SUI.
rage The Progresistas favored the introduction OF
radical reforms. The Democrats openly professed
republican ideas The New-Catholic School
counseled n complete submission 10 the Church
Hardly year has passed in which not the one
one or the other party caused some disturbance In
1854 the Progresists hada majority in the Legislative
Chamber, and introduced number of sautary re-
forms: but their power was soon broken, and the
chief contest has since been between Marshal Mar
yaez as leader of the Moderator and Marshall ODon-
nell as the leader of the Liberal Union The leaders
of both these great parties are now dead Since 100
the MOderados have been in powerat first under Mar
shal Narvaez and after his death sl under Gonzalez
Bravo The administration of the Moderados has
always been noted for despotism and violence. They
have repeatedly changed the Constitution, without
observing the way provided for in the Constitution
itself The Democrats and Progress SIS have there
fore for several years. taken part IN the elections
They have several times attempted To reconquer then
rights by revolution generally under the Leadership
of Gen Prim Thus far the Government had succeeded
i'm suppressing every one of these movements before
il had had time to spread. but the present one seems
TO have good prospect of success. In such case,
Gen Prim would naturally become the head OF .
new Cabinet and the next move will be an appear 70
the nation and the conyocation of Constituent As
sembly.