The New York herald., 1869-11-15
The spanish Throne md Conflicting span.
ish Factions.

Our latest news from Europe regarding
Spanish affairs seems to imply that the situa-
lion is more hopeful, that Cabinet dissensions
have ceased, ana that the young Duke of
| Genoa is to be The successful candidate for
the Spanish throne Some two days ago the
announcement was made that the Dukes
mother, remembering, no doubt the fate OF
the late Emperor Maximiian, was utterly
opposed to her sons candidature. Ia this she
was but initiating the example of her royal
brother, Victor Emanuel who would not give
his consent to the candidature of his son =, Z .
Duke of Aosta. II appears :, :. -.
the Italian Cabinet has re- .,,
o,...a,.. !. 49, ~ ,.Jn OF the Duke of Genoa
oo''aoies 70 'n' 0ooi Spain, and that infor-
.H TO that effect has been sent
-' the Spanish government. Another
and no! less important announcement is to the
effect that Admiral Topete, who recently
retired from the Cabinet and ceased to be
! Minister of Marine, in consequence of the dis
favor shown to his candidate, the Duke of
Montpensier, has been elected Vice President
of the Constituent Cortes. 1t is really diff
cult to say what is the exact import OF this
| election
| How the throne question will be settled is
not yet clear. 1t is undeniable that it is for
| the interest OF Spain that it be settled without
| delay. The Spaniards, and especially those
| in power, are much to blame for the vacilla-
tion-the want Of fixed and steady purpose
which in this matter they have displayed
ha,, l,,l IL
culties to contend with; but it was not neces-
sary that they should drag the crown of
| Charles V. in the dust. Had there been
little more dignity the crown would have
been regarded as a prize and would
| have been coveted by many. The de-
lay in filing the vacant throne is
| no doubt largely due to the influence Of Napo-
leon. II is not our opinion that Napoleon has
interposed in the throne question In any very
emphatic manner. His wishes have no doubt
been made known. But his last experience in
king making was too painful to allow him again
in circumstances SO similar to repeat the
experiment. The Spanish government would
have consulted its own interests and the
interests of the people at large had it been
less obsequious to the imperial ruler Of France
If it had proceeded at once, after the pass
ing into law of the new constitution, to the
election of king, the decision Of the Spanish
people would have been respected by Europe
and the world, and Napoleon would not have
dared to interfere. AZ matters now stand
| Napoleon has quite as much cause to regret
the delay as has the Spanish government, or,
indeed, any section of the Spanish people
for the delicate state Of his health, the increas-
| ing strength Of the opposition and his strong
desire 10 make certain and secure his sons
succession render the settlement of outside
questions as speedily as possible an absolute
necessity.
As Spain seems bent on having king we
Genoa He will, to be sure, be helpless
boy, but his very helplessness may be in his
favor. II cannot be said, however, that his
success is yet at all certain. OF all the can
didates his chances are, perhaps, the best;
| but his rivals have numerous and powerful
partisans. The Duke OF Montpensier is still
in the field Serrano, Topete and the Union
ist party generally, which is far and away
the most respectable party in Spain, are
pledged to him. We have seen already that
Topete's attachment to MontpensieI made it
necessity for him, on the ground of hono.;
to retire from the Cabinet. The fact that
Serrano still remains at his post encourages
the belief that the cause Of Montpensier is not
yet desperate. Dom Ferdinand of Portugal is
the only other candidate whose name is
now mentioned. But Dom Ferdinand is
spoken Of now only as compromise. The
domestic relations of Ferdinand, even if his
chances otherwise were better than they are,
prevent us from believing that in the event Of
the Cortas not being able TO agree upon either
of the other two the Spanish people would
have him for king. wife by moreanatic
marriage, with stage reputation, could not at
this stage with much grace be substituted for
Isabella. II under stress Of circumstances such
a state Of things should be brought about tbo
revolution viii certainly have very illorical
conclusion. II Is plain to our mind that Prm
has made up his mind that Montpcnsier shall
not be elected. Prim knows we'll that under
Montpensier he could find no place. 1t is this
which, more than the known opposition Of The
Emperor Napoleon, explains Prim's conduct.
IL is this, TOO, which makes IL not improbable
that in the event Of the Unionists proving too
strong he may yet divide the progressive party
carry section OF them over TO the ranks of
the republicans. remain at the head Of the