The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-03
EDITION
THE SPANISH THRONE.
How Ferdinand Declined the Honor-A Nea
Piece Of Political JugRlery.

Piece OF Political JugRlery.
The Madrid correspondent OF the New York Tribune
on April IL wrote as follows:--
Last Monday was made holiday here, on the
occasion OF the Festival OF the Incarnation. The
day proper was the Thursday preceding, but the
Business Committee of the Cortes decided that the
proceedings Of that assembly should not be in
teHupted, and that Monday should be observed as
the holiday The Church observed the fest-
val; not as usual, for divine service the whole
day through is the rule. On this occasion masses
were said only until 10 in the morning The people,
however, took the day as matter of course, and
the Monday also, so enjoyed two holiday instead
OF one. The ChurCh-acting under the influence of
the BisbOps-sulked, and no special public service
was performed The Cortes did not meet, and public
business suffered loss in consequence. The Incl
dent in itself, as solitary fact would not be worth
recording, but II has direct bearing on the history
of the hour, and will show to what petty devices the
leaders OF the majority are obliged 10 recur to pro-
mains which has existed from the outset
monarch is wanted for the proposed monarchy
Senior Olozaga had assured the Ministry that Don
Fernando would accept the crown II pressed. At
the meeting OF the monarchcal partisans, held
on the 3lst OF March, it was determined that
fresh overtures should be made indirectly, Just
10 ascertain the real feelings of the King. on the 3D.,
nothing favorable had come Of them; and the
discussion upon the constitution, as n whole, threat
ened to expose every day more and more the weak
ness OF the majority a second meeting held,
the evening of that day, which attended by the
principal members OF the coalition, and at which the
decision was adopted of sending an unofficial depu-
tation to Lisbon to sound Don Fernando personally.
As this proposition had already been more or less
under discussion privately SenOr RiverO announced,
in the course OF the sitting on the 3d. that the Cortes
would not sit on the 5h The object OF this suspen-
sion was to afford little more time to the commis
sioners, Senor Olozaga and Don Alvara, to
execute their official Instructions and their
departure was publicly announced. Considerable
doubts, however, were expressed on this point. The
indiscretion Of such proceeding was obvious but
no one seemed able to ascertain whether the COM
mission has really set out or not and the perpeXty
was augmented by the fact that neither of the com
mssioners appeared. 1t turned outneitner left Mad
rid Probably in consequence of teegraphc infor-
nation sent to Lisbon TO prepare the way for the
nUnun nn nnnAi Ha.K .KNcI,I
10 take decisive step, and 1t was already rumored
on Monday, the 9Th, that the Portuguese Minister
had received telegram conveying Don Fernando's
decision not to accept the crown of Spain This
umor was confirmed on Tuesday, the 9th, by the
publication of the message, with the addition that
Don Fernando would not even receive the commits
Eoners-a rebun OF unmistakable dimensions,
which TOOK the public by surprise as wei as the
monarchcal party. 1t is said the first ntmation OF
Don FernandO's views reached Madrid in the course
of Sunday, and that this checked the departure of
Seniors Olozaga and Alvara. This, however, was OF
no importance. The great fact remained, that Don
Fernando had decidedly, formally declared that his
pretensions to the crown of Spain must be cons-
dered as finally at an end. OF course this incident
could not pass SUB sento in the Cortes On the Ith
Garcia Lopez (Republican) interpelated the Gov
Jesuitical to degree. The receipt OF the
standing had occurred No Official overtures had
been made to Don Fernando and, In the opinion of
the Ministry, the ex-King OF Portugal had shown
little haste in refusing @ crown which Spain had
not in fact rendered to him. OF course this defense
although strictly in accordance with fact is after
ALL lnosI speclous anu tIdlSpaIeul duu ueCeNeu no
body. CASTELAR, put the point admirably by asking
why telegram had not been sent to Don Fernando
demanding why he had ''despsed the crown OF
Spain when nobody had offered it to him?" This the
Ministry is not likely TO do. The simple fact
to be that Don Fernando has, from the first day his
name came up in connection with the plans OF the
Monarchists here consistently, persstenty init
mated in private what he has ever stated oficialy
but finding that the Ministerial party continued to
make use OF his name he felt compelled TO declare
his decision. His refusal puts an end to the hopes of
the coalition, for it renders monarchy impossible
in Spain at any rate until another revolution in
anti-republican sense shall have proved that the
Spanish nation is unfit for a republic But before
such a revolution comes, we must have the repub-
lie and all parties now appear to be coming to the
conclusion that its establishment is inevitable, either
in the form OF a Triumvirate, or OF Directory Of
Five OF a responsible Ministry governing through
the COrtes direct or by President.