The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-27
The Situation In Spaiu.

The Situation In Spain.
Our news from Spain Is far from encourag-
ing. 1t is in some respects alarming. The
anti Bourbon revolution does not appear to be
approaching any very satisfactory end, and
a radical republican cOunter-revolution Ia
In active, sanguinary progress. The hopes
which some months ago we cherished regard
ing that unhappy country arc all more or
less blighted. The first revolution has effected
nothing. If there has been any progress at
all, it seems to have been as much backward
as forward. It was despotism before the revo-
luton, 1t is despotism still. The tyranny Of
Isabella has given place to the tyranny of Prlm
and Serrano. The finances of the country are
in deplorable condition and they are daily
becoming worse. Fresh loans are being
sought but they are not to DO had except
upon terms which are absolutely ruinous.
Discomfort is everywhere. During Saturday
last it was expressed in active form In BARGE
Iona, Tamagona and other municipal centres.
Volunteers refused to disarm when commanded
by the authorities, and the release of impri-
sOned volunteers was peremptorily demanded
by the people, In one instance barricade s
were thrown up. One Of these was assaulted
by the regular troops and carried after a
bayonet charge. The insurgents had twenty
four men killed and the soldiers two officers.
Numbers were wounded. The determination
Of the radicals to make demonstration
in Madrid next Wednesday adds to the
general alarm, as another serious crisis
10 anticipated. The Carlists, 1t is true,
have had no great success; but it can
not be said that they are completely sub
dued. The Isabella party is taking courage.
The republicans, through the indefatigable
efforts of such men as CASTELAR,, are waking
into newness of life. In spite of mysterious
assassinations which throw suspicion on the
agents Of the government, and in spite of
repressive measures of the most cruel descrip-
ton, republican gatherings are becoming gen
eral. In Saragossa, made 30 famous by its
heroic defence against the French in times not
yet forgotten, Sehor CASTELAR, has just addressed
some twenty thousand of his countrymen. In
addition to all this we learn that many of the
bishops still refuse to take the oath under the
new constitution. This Is an i'll omen; for it
shows that the clergy do not believe that the
present state Of things can last much
longer. In few weeks from now the Cortes
will meet and Spain may again be plunged in
deeper misery than ever. There has been
much loud talk about sending twenty thousand
fresh troops to Cuba. We much fear that
Spain will need all her troops to maintain
order at home. It is difficult, indeed, to fors-
see the final issue. As matters now stand
anarchy is much more probable than order.
A wild war of the factions seems much more
certain than the early re-establishment Of a
good and solid government. A king Ia still
the cry; but in the present temper Of the
republican party the crown of Spain would
be more likely to prove q crown Of thorns. 1t
is safe now to say that the revolution has been
a failure. SPANS great want is capable men.
The revolution has failed to develop them. A
Caesar, a Cromwell or Napoleon is what is
needed; but we have waited for more than
twelve months and we know not where to look
for him. Is the Spanish race to be looked
upon henceforward as incapable of self-gov-
ernment?