The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-04
The Situation In SDRiu.

The Situation In SPAIN
The SpaDiards do not appear to be any nearer
settlement of their troubles than they were
three months ago. On the contrary, the de-
lays, indecsion, and procrastination of the
Provisional Junta have rendered the work of
establishing permanent government more
difficult than ever. A large portion of the
more thoughtful people of the nation appear
to be in favor OF constitutional monarchy,
but the republican party is strong in numbers
and earnest in advocating their ideas. The
trouble appears to be, however, that the advo-
Gates of republic have no very clear notion
of what they really want. With the example
of the United States before them, they seem
TO have crude, general, and indefinite desire
to establish for themselves q government of
similar character; but they have not as yet
been able to advance any platform of prinoi-
pies or decide upon any practical measures
towards accomplishing their object, or put
onward any leaders capable of advocating
their cause.
The prevailing impression among the better
educated classes is that the country is not
ready to become republic, and they have
consequently held aloof from the radical move.
ments and giveh their support to the Provi-
si0nal Junts, which processes to be in favor OF
a constitutional monarchy. The revolution
ary leaders, however, do not seem to have
any better idea of ths requirements of the
situation than the people and they still hesi-
tate to fix upon any person as suitable sue
cessOr TO the throne Of Isabella II. With the
unanimous support of public opinion, they
succeeded in driving the Queen out of the
country, and duling the early days of the re-
voluticn their policy appeared to be influenced
solely by the most patriotic motives. Admit
ting this TO have been the case, the excite
ment of the moment has row died out and
amid the difficulties and perplexitiss incident
TO reconstruction individual ambition has
found time to assert itself, and while rival
chiefs are intriguing for power the country has
! been allowed TO remain dieorganized and ex-
posed TO dangers both from thout and
within.
II is thus that liberty has ever been sacri-
fed in Europe, and the result of revolutions
has been that the people had to choose, after
all, between despotism and anarchy. The ex
pulsion of the last OF the Bourbon soveregns
was such brilliant success in every respect,
that the friends OF liberty all over the world
allowed their hopes to get the better Of their
fears. That the fears were better grounded
than the hopes is apparent from the unsatis-
factory course of events.
The Emperor of France has said little, but
without doubt his agents have been quietly
but efficiently working so as to secure such
results as will conduce to his own interests.
The Provisional Junta is apparently under
his influence, and they hesitate to take any de-
cided step for fear of incurring his displsa-
sure. What Spain now wants is few de-
cided men at the head of affairs, who will
push forward the work of organizing stabl4
government without consulting Napoleon or
caring for his opinions. Not long ago the idea
Of inviting an American to put his hand to the
helm was advocated. This is what we sug-
gested more than once, aud although the
idea was treated as a jest, We seriously think
IL would be about the best thing that the
| Spaniards can do. There are plenty OF men
in this country who are better practi-
cal statesmen, and who know more about
the art OF government, than nine tenths
OF the people who make a business of railing
in Europe. An average American politician
would contrive to bring matters to settle
ment without consulting the Emperor of the
French or worrying about his opinions. The
Chinese chose shrewd Yankee for their am
bassador to the Western powers, and the ex-
pertinent has been SO successful that the
| spaniards in their present predicament might
with advantage to themselves take ahint from
the Celestials. Just now the Duke de Mont
Iensier appears to be the most prominent
candidate for the Spanish throne, but the
next advices may throw him into the shade
sgain and bring forward somebody else. We
know SO little about the inside management
Of affairs in Spain, that IL is impossible to pre-
dicate what will or will not be the next move;
but despotism more enerous, ii not so con-
temptible, az that which has been overthrown
appears the most probable result OF the present
condition OF things.