New-York tribune., 1869-05-22

dav the clerical amendment was rejected by the very
decisive vote of 19l against 81 This vote settles the
question against the clergy and defeats bigotry ana
intolerance in their strongest hold. Practically the
discussions on religious Questions'are at end IN so
far as the principle contended for is concerned Spain
will henccforward enjoy freedom Of conscience. The
simplest modification of phraseology will place Span
iads their proper footing in the Constitution gIV-
ing them precedence of right over foreigners, ana
although the state will have to support the Church
an enormous advance will be made by securing free
dom 20 all crecds alike. Liberty Of conscience ana
national education. both assured, are gam
worth a revolution. Nine amendments ont of the
twenty-eight on the clause relating to re-
ligion have been disposed Of and the
remainder might conveniently be abandoned
But tbe object of the minority is to gam
fine with view to facilitate the negotiations OF the
terms mon which the ProgressiSts and the Demo-
crafts are 70 fuse with the Republicans In the mean
while the facts brought out in these discussions are
Of great Importance and vastly enghten the people
Senor Garrldo in his speech yesterday, upon an
amendment submitted by him, gave, among
others statistics showing that at the commencement
Of the present century, the Spanish clergys emou-
mcnts from variOus sources amounted 10 S0@'OooVOU
that in 1890, the clergy, intending monks
and nuns, numbered 1GS,OOO. with popu-
when the population had increased to 100000,
the clergy had become reduced in members to 1900;
that while in 1877, when Spain reckoned her clergy
at 134 OOO there existed but school for every 9l2
persons whereas in 1865 there was for every G3
or one scholar for every thirteen citizens. 1t is
wonderful what the revolution has already accom-
plished in releasing thought and education from
priestly influence Religious tracts are now openly
sold and circulated by the hundreds of thousands.
This time last year to do this would have been
penal oflense-imprisOnment and banlshment the
penalty. There have been sold, since November last
100000 tracts and 100000 copies of the Gospels.
As many as 5000 of the latter have been
sold in ono day. One million Gospels, of
Cpriano de Vaera's version, are now being printed
here and an idea may be formed ofhc eagerness with
which religious information sought after, from the
fact that since the date already mentioned, at least
100000 tracts have been distributed in various parts
OF the country, and the demand is daily increasing
The movement is deeply interesting and will lead
to the regeneration of Spain.
While the political situation is gradually but
surely developing itself, the solution accepted now
by all but the Uniunists, being republican form OF
government, the financial position IS most deplora-
Die. There has been crisis on Change to-day. In
1866. the ODonnel Ministry contracted secret loan
with the firm of Fould & Co. for S775OOOo three per
cent consolidated. The Provisional Government
accepted these obligations, and renewed them four
months ago. Fould has since-with the consent of
the Finance Minister here-sold them to specuatOr
The term expired yesterday and the whole has been
thrown upon the Madrid market, to the dismay of
those who have time bargains-to the ruin Of many,
and to the shame Of FIguerola, who is accused of
having consented to this transaction without giving
notice even of the existence of this mass of paper
MAY 2.-The Dos Mayo commemoraton takes
place to-day. The streets are tull Of military. The
volunteers are in force. The noise Of 20
bands playing all Mt the same time, is perfectly be-
But the day is magnificent the people
are crowding toward The Dos Mayo monument and
are giving evidence that they earnest in the at
temIt to make the most OF their grand holiday