New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-01
THE SPANISH REVOLUTION.
THE REACTION AND THE REVOLUTION.
IFR0M OUR OWN CORRESPONDENCE

Iliu duu aSsOCdteS ille olcCltu
chiefs of the Reaction. The manifesto of the llth
January published the official Gazette of the 18th,
announces the adhesion of all the members of the
| Government to amonarchical programme For many
weeks their purpose has worn but thin vail. They
have torn it of-they fling down their challenge to
the people Of Spain; they abandon the administrative
| functions Professionally conferred on them by the
! Junta which represented the whole people. Ceasing
to be government, they hencefOrth only knot
of conspiratOrs against the liberties they swore to
defend too confident in the success OF their plot to
prolong their parade Of decent hypocrisy-the sole
homage they have ever paid to virtue.
It to be said for them that they have done moth
ing more than fulfill their contract They sold them
selves body and souls, to the Due de MontpensIer,
and just now are only delivering the goods. The
declaration Of the Government is declaration in IA
vOr of the man who furnished the money to drive
his sister from throne which he wanted for himself
The money was paid for something besides munitions
of war; a good deal of it went into the pockets of
the men who made the war. and stad there. PTim
had $4,000 for his share, if good authority may be
trusted but he seems to have thought the pay too
small for he has been, and probably st is an oppo-
nent of the Duke. believe he would prefer a Re-
public TO Montpensier, but there is thing he pre-
fers 70 both Republic and Monarchy and that is his
own interest Perhaps may as well confess that
have tried to believe in Prim, and to find in him
some evidence Of genuine patriotism renounce all
that. chung to the hope of an agreement between
him and the Republicans. still think there was
chance of for the negotiations which went on
for some time and some account of which have
sent you. If PTim could have been persuaded that
tho Republican movement was likely TO triumph
and that the party would have accepted him as its
leader, he would surely have joined il. But he
10th 70 hot m ind ua
made up. came the moment when it was necessary
for him TO act with an appearance of decision. Like
other weak men, no let himself be governed by the
forces nearest TO him. Between HIM and Serrano-
that is between him and the majority of the Pro-
vincial Government there is no real friend
ship. nor even a political alliance that can
stand any strain. There is not q strong man
among them all. and if Prim had any real energy
of intellect be would have taken possession of the
Government IN the interest either OF himself or Of
the principles Of the revolution and might have Sc
cured by the same act the Of the republic and
the qualification Of his personal ambition. lie has
chosen that course which leaves him temporarily pro-
priotor of power ostensbe than real, and has
put ia the hands Of his enemies the proof of the
charge they bring against him, that he prefers the
interest Of Prim TO the interest of Spain His sigma
ture TO the rovast manifesto can never be blotted
Out i tnnk NOlIpcUhltl pIObdul1 lHo Nbiol VI NiN
many candidates for the vacant throne, and l know
he is the ono whom Prim most heartily detests but
Prim is likely enough 10 find himself bound hence
foI TO this selfish and incapable pretender His as
cent of the throne would be unspeakable calamity
10 Spain but ft punishment for Prims treachery
10 the revolution.
While the negotiations between Prim and the
Republicans were going on l received q letter
from one Of the few eminent Englishmen who
know anything about Continental politics, SEN
tence from which will be o good comment
on Prims present position. There is nothing in
Prim's carcerD says this eminent writer, (which
gives me the smallest confidence in his being that
rarity among Spanish politicians man of principle.
II he becomes President Of a Spanish Republic it will
be. very likely, with the full intention to take the
first opportunity Of playing the game Of Napoleon
Ill; after which Spain will DO republic like those
Of Spanish America perpetual succession Of Mill
tary dctators each suppantng his predecessor by
prouounciamcRto or a civil war" believe he isright
and give up henceforth all belief in individual
leaders. The hope of Spain is in her people.
1t is in tho light OF this manifesto that the events
Of Cadz and Malaga at last seen in their true pro-
portions Rochefort began recent number OF the
Lantern6 with tho rather startling announcement
that general instruction had broken out France
only" added the Journal of tho French Empire.
"the insurgents are at the head of the Government"
Never was a remark more true of Spain. They pro-
voked the outbreaks in Andalusia with the purpose
of consolidating their power and Of perpetuatng
the rule of the army over tho people The people
have not rebeed shown any disposition to disor
der The Generals who say they have are the
same ones who sent the bulletins from Malaga
about the attack on the American flag. 1t was one
act in the drama of which this manifesto is another
h no cold ham IN
lieved they could sell the people alsoor rather did
not take into account the existence of the people
IL never entered the Ibeads Of these scbemng
soldiers that the nation might credit their professions
of regard for popular rights. and might demand the
fulfllment of tie pledges which they landed at Ca
dz. The Juntas which were organized all over spain
gave their power into the hands of the Provisional
Government chosen by themselves with their Bill OF
Rights annexed. The members of the Government
were the appointees of the Junta Of Madrid. What
have they done Violated neglected to put in force
every article Of that Bill Of Rights, and their feeble
denial in the manifesto Of charge which all SPAN
brings against them is an impudcnt falsehood. Inc
sole exception is the liberty of the press nor is that
everywhere an eXception-witness Cadiz ana Malaga
whose fate Madrid and Barcelona would have shared
had not the energy Of the Republican protest alarmed
the Government and compelled them TO suspend
their military programme That liberty Of the press
indeed, existed before this Government came into
being, and it is likely to exist after 1t
has been oyerthrown. Despotism is dan
gerous game for weak men' and no mea-
snres are so perlous as half measures. The
Reaction might have triumpbed if it had had the |
courage to put down the press but the press promises
now to put down the Reaction. IL publishes the |
truth about Malaga and Cadiz and to this Govern
ment no enemy is so dangerous as the TRUTH for no
~. 90 ,ybonv nv lyinp Pos |