Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-05-28
RELIeIoUs ouEsrIoN ~ spAIN.

The aIardrid correspondent Of the Lon
don Daily Ne,cs writes, under date Of April
Il, that the discussion ia the Spanish Cortes
oa the religious question have given fore
taste Of the interest it viii excite when arli-
cles 20, q and - Of the constitution are
reached. The clerical party have spoken
out. Senior Manterola, the Canon Of Yicto
ria, and Senor Monescilo, the Bishop of
Jaen, in the general debate on the constitu-
ton, both made powerful speeches, especial
ly upon the violation of Catholic unity BY
the clauses permitting the exercise Of other
religions
The Ae5cs correspondent says
Tie Canon speech was very long. and
very anti Protestant hut it was not well re-
ceiyed by the House. and it drew forth from
the great republican orator, CASTELAR,. a re-
ply which, do not hesitate to say, has
given a blow to the power Of the priests in
Spain they viii never get over It eIectgi-
fed the House to such an extent that when
be resumed his seat almost the whole Of the
deputies on both sides crowded around HIN
embracing him, patting him, shaking his
hands, and even kissing him. Ministers,
majority, and even the President Rivero.
we're quite enthusiastic in these expressions
Of approval as the Republicans The ex.
citement has spread ali over the country.
-Four or Eve columns Of the Discussions and
the Igaallad are filed daily with copies Of
congratulations and fslicitations sent to
Senor CASTELAR, by telegraph from all parts
of the kingdom The monarchical papers,
which hitherto have already underrated his
speeches and been most opposed to bis
principles, have every. one articles laudatory
Of this great effort. Even the Impartial
and the Beri9-government organs-speak
IF him as being national glory. The
former says that parts of the speech surpass
anything ever delivered BY any orator Of
ancient or modern times.
This is, perhaps, saying too much but
certainly; in my own experience Of parlia-
mcntary eloquouce. I have never listened to
anything more brilliant One by one Caste
lar demolished every argument and every
assertion of the Canon, until he left him
thoroughly and unmis,akabIy beaten He
charged the Catholic church and its intoler-
auce as having bcen the cause Of the back
ward position Of Spain in progress of every
description. Especially wa> he very power
ful in his 9enuuciations Of lbe eiict which.
at the instiga,ion Of the clergy, led to the
bauishmeut Of the Jews. which had not
only deprived the country Of much material
wealth. but also Of the honor Of being the
birthplace Of many eminent and illustrious
men. The assertion that the Catholic
church never dealt in persecution, never
killed the heretics, but that the civil power
did, be characterised as childish and equiv
alent to the assassin saying he did not Kill
bis victim, but the dagger did. The In
QUESTION had been the dagger Of the Church.
CASTELAR, combated the beast the Canon
had made about the founding Of uaiversi-
ties by the Catholic Church. He said she
was once the centre Of light IN the midst Of
fsu5alism and barbarism, aud she would
hardly fail then to be in the van of progress
But compare any of their great universities
Salamanca for instance-with the foreigl
universities which sprung out of the ideas
Of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
How was it that the Spanish universities
had degenerated? It certainly was not be
cause the Spaniar3s were inferior in iatelE-
cencc and talent to the English or the Ger
mans, but because those two great people
had acquired before them the great treasure
Of liberty Of thought; because they had not,
Ike Spain. remained so long without light
in the conscience, buried in the obscure
DEPTHS Of the Inquisition
As l said at the beginning, this speech
has created al extraordinary sensation, and
awoke an echo from all quarters. 4 sub
scription is on foot for national ovation to
Castelar,, who has made tremendous strides
in popular estimation. and proved himself
the first orat3r Of his country.