The national Republican., 1869-01-15
A DEMOCRACY.

In our article yesterday, under the caption
OF How Stands Spsinr' we commenced
upon certain statements OF the Madrid core.
spondent Of the New York Tribune, In whieL
he alleges that Prim and other Spanish lead
ers declate that the masses In Spain are too
ignorant to sustain q republican form OF gov
ernment.
We enter our protest against this pestilent
heresy, and denounce II as a libel upon human
nature and common intelligence. Prim and
his coadjutors have seen enough already of
the conduct OF the masses Of the people In
Spain to satisfy them, II they did not choose
to walk In blindness and ignore patent facts.
Did not these people, ignorant though they be,
arise in their strength and, under the guidance
OF Prim himself, drive a lieentious. wicked,
and perhdious q Queen from the throne and from
the landi Did they not make quick and short
work In preoipitating to Its hnal ruin the last
Bourbon dynasty Of Europsl And did they not
do this almost without bloodBhedi What was
the inspiring thought and principle that led
them on, eheered their hearts and filled their
minds with courage and zeali Was II not lib.
erty for their land, liberty for themselves and
their ehildrenl Liberty, too, regulated by lawj
Tor there were but few disorders and no re.
venges. The cry was Down With monarchy
people want, and they are ready for 1t, as all
peoples are, their leaders and managers to the
contrary notwithstanding.
And when at last this wicked ruler had ned
and found shelter In a foreign land, and Mad.
rid was hlled with JOY and rejoicing, what did
those people askl Why that Republican Gov
ernment should be established. And when
the words republican, democracy, freedom
liberty, and fraternity were spoken, did not
the deafeaing shouts OF the populace make
the air reyerberste, and the earth tremble
It was even so.
Did not Prtm and his confrerees see all this
and morei and yet, he and they now tell US
that these people must first be educated up to
that degree OF intelligence which is necessary
to make them republicans, and while this Is
being done monarchy must be established al
sehoolmaster to lead them into the demo-
cratic fold. As well affirm that men must be
taught to love the free air Of heaven and
Gods sunshine which he sends upon the evil
and the good. Men love liberty as they love the
light OF day and the breezes of heaven. That
republican and democratic Institutions are
not everywhere established over the whole
earth Is not because the people are too igno.
rant to maintain them, but 1t Is because the
self constituted leaders, and the despots o the
world, will have 1t as II is Tyranny and the
love OF power are 10th to loose their hold.
Just here lies the diaiculty, and we are
sorry to see the American press and many
American statesmen yielding adherence TO
this idea-that all nations are not at to become
republican.
Everybody is familiar with the notion which
generally prevailed In this country before
emancipation In regard to this very question
ofeducstion. 1t was said, In the most EN-.
phatic and triumphant tones, that II would
not do to liberate the slaves bsssu.e, being
ignorant, as they were, they would cut their
mssters' throats. Now, In the light OF to-day,
that idea 10 secuted, and the man who should
assert 1t would be laughed at for his folly.
Our protest may do no good, but, nevertheless,
we do, In the name OF republication and de-
moeracy, most emphdifedHy protsR against this
miserable pretext, that there must be Ger.
tain educational process to At the people OF
spain, or any other people, to be republicans
We have devoted to this topic as much space
M we can afford to-day. But there are other
pregnant thoughts growing out OF this ques.
ZION OF republican government which we pro-
pose to elaborate hereafter.