The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-05-08

spain and the Emperor Napoleon.
Our cable dispatches from day to day show
that Spain is making satisfactory progress
towards constitutional government The de-
bates on the new constitution have been singu-
larly lively. There has been some vigorous
opposition, but the government has carried
all its points by large majorities, and the pre-
sumption is that the new constitution, without
any serious modification, will be adopted by
the Cortes We have just learned by cable
that the article of the national constitution
guaranteeing liberty of worship was adopted
by one hundred and sixty-four against forty.
This in Spain, which has hitherto been SO
much under the heel Of the Papacy, means
progress Of very substantial kind. 1t APP
pears also from another item of news that,
while there is q strong desire on the part of
the people to have change Of ministry and
responsible chief Of the State appointed, no
change will take place until the national con-
stitution has been discussed in detail and the
form of government finally agreed upon.
It may now, we think, be taken for granted
that the new constitution will be substantially
adopted, and that Spain will remain mon
archy. Who shall be proclaimed monarch Of
Spain under the new constitution is as dark
question to-day as it was six months ago.
Montpensier, we have good reason to believe,
is still the favorite candidate with Serrano, and,
although Prim is somewhat doubtful cha
racter, he has not yet openly differed from his
10
ever, that Montpensier is not the favorite of
the Spanish people; nor does any one believe
that his nomination for the crown will receive
the countenance of the Emperor Napoleon.
The Spanish people have committed themselves
against the Bourbons, and a Bourbon Of any
name or of any family, younger or older, legiti-
mist, Orleanist, Spanish or Neapolitan, on the
throne of Spain, other than Isabella or her son.
would be regarded by France and Europe gen.
orally as Napoleonic defeat.
The question, therefore, becomes one Of
paramount importance, What will Napoleon
do2 Taking it for granted that Spain is still
to be monarchy, and believing that the con-
sent of Napoleon is necessary to the success
of any candidate who may be thought Of,
many are asking themselves the question
Whom will Napoleon support? Looking at
the entire situation, remembering that with
the exception of Montpensier all the other
candidates are virtually out of the field taking
into consideration, too, the obstacles which lie
in the way of Montpensier, it is exceedingly
difficult to resist the conviction that the weight
of Napoleons influence will be flung in the
scale in favor of Isabella's son, the young
Prince of the Asturias. It ought not to be
forgotten that there is power behind
the throne of France, in the person
of the Empress Eugene. She is
stanch and incorporating Catholic.
She has no sympathy with the liberal
sentiments now prevailing in Spain. Her
priestly advisers have even less. Isabella,
whatever her faults, had the reputation of
being good Catholic favorite of the Holy
Father. If Isabella herself cannot be restored
the next most desirable thing in the dethroned
Queens interest would be the elevation of her
son to the vacant throne. If Eugene believes
that the proclamation of the Prince of the
Asturias King of Spain would please
the Holy Father we may rest assured
that her influence will not be withheld. If the
Spanish people take to this idea we have little
doubt that the experiment will be made.
To put the copestone to the new Spanish con-
stitution would be great triumph to the En-
peror and would be fattering to the French
people.
There is one serious drawback to this mode
of settling the difficulty. The Prince is not
yet quite twelve years of age. According to
the new constitution six years would have to
elapse before he could assume the response
bilities of the executive. Those six years
would be covered by regency. Six years Of
a regency, with queen mother in the country
who might prove quite as impracticable as
was Queen Christina, would not be pleasing
prospect for Spain She has not yet forgotten
the last regency. 1t is very doubtful whether
by any coaxing or any compulsion she will run
the risk of reviving the troubles which marked
the early years of the reign of Isabella. Time
will soon tell. 1t is gratifying to see Spain
making such progress, but many fear that
trouble is still in store for her.
SHOWING THEIR STNCERITY.-Mr. Bergh,
who gives all his time while alive for the pro-
lection of animals, will give one hundred
thousand dollars for the same purpose when he
dies, and still more enthusiastic friend of the