The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-22
The Spanish Revolution-The Church Party
In the Contest.


In the Contest.
Say what we may, and think what we may,
the Spanish revolutionary movement is less
success to-day than it was or seemed to be six
months ago. 1t was our opinion at one time
that Serrano and Prim, who had the cards in
their own hands, were playing skilfully
and with some success. We watched the
progress of the revolution. We saw and
admitted the power of the government
In spite of the general ability of the
party calling itself republican, and in spite Of
the silvery tongue, the passion, force and
glowing eloquence of CASTELAR,, the govern
ment during the whole time the Cortes had the
new constitution under discussion had it all its
own way. Point after point was carried by
overwhelming majorities. When the new con-
stitution was carried II did seem that the party
in power had but to command to be
obeyed. The strength Of Prim, Serrano and
the others was made all the more conspicuous
when. with but trihing dissent Serrano was
proclaimed Regent of the Kingdom. 1t still
seemed as if the government party we're on the
highway to ultimate triumph. Looking back.
however, as we now do, over only very few
| months, 1t does seem as if success ended and
failure began at the very moment Serrano was
proclaimed Regent of the Kingdom. Prior to
that date the revolution had an upward ten
dency. Since that date the tendency has been
Enthusiastically downward. To-day it Is the
universal feeling, both in Europe and America,
| that this latest Spanish revolution is to prove
as much a failure as any Of its many prede-
| cessors.
Is this feeling justified by facts2 We might
answer this question at once by saying that
feeling which is so general, and which in almost
every individual case amounts to q conviction,
must be satisfactory reflection of the truth
We would not, however, shun the difficulty by
any such device. general judgment may
be wrong. We must, therefore, look more
closely at facts. What, then, has the revolu-
ton effected? 1t has dethroned Isabella and
prescribed the Bourbons. 1t has nominally, al
least, secured for Spain liberal constitution
1t has proclaimed the nation a monarchy.
has placed the supreme power for the time
being in the hands Of one of tn,
revolutionary chiefs. But as every day
proves, it has not satisfied the Spanish people.
1t has not improved Spanish 6nances, which
are as bad az they well can be. 1t has moi
satisfied the outside world that the struggle ii
at an end. 1t has, in fact, done nothing, OF
rather it has done what had better been lef
undone, because it has not crowned the new
popular edifce by constitutional monarch
The absolute failure of the revolution is mad
manifest to all the world by the general ant
irreprcssble Carllst feeling, of the strength
Of which every days news gives us fresI
evidence. 1t s made manifest by the undis
guised hopes of the Isabellinos. 1t is mad
manifest by the openly expressed disgust o
some of SPANS best patriots-men who car
less about particular forms of govern
ment than about tie liberty which
government guarantees, the security
and confidence which it inspires. II i
made manifest by the persistent silence of Ma
poeon, silence which is more suggestive am
more ominous than many words. 1t Is mad
manifest above all by the cruel and barbarou
manner In which political offenders ore bein
treated Spanish cruelty proverbial for man
, centuries, has never been more oonspicuousl