The New York herald., 1870-05-24
Tho Spanish Throne-A Prospect %
Settlements nt Last.

Our news this morning regarding tho loerian
| Peninsula is full of interest. cable despatch
| from Paris has it that letters from Madrid con-
firm previous reports to the effect that Prim
and Saldanha have an understanding and that
the understanding points to an Iberian uhion.
| Such is the news. II the news Ia true 1t Is
| good. If it is not true we must still say 1t is
the best thing that can possibly happen on the
Peninsula. We have no means Of knowing
what is the value of an arran cement come to
by Prm and Saldanha, or whether there is
any such arrangement. This, however, we
do kaow: that an Iberian union is the one
thing most likely to settle the Spanish throne
question and to give peace and prosperity to
the Peninsula. For time it was our opinion
that Napoleon might do well to place himself
at the head Of the Latin races. If Italy and
Spain and Portugal could agree to make up
their own differences and then jointly to make
up their differences with France, no better
arrangement than grand Latin union
could be conceived. The march Of
events has not encouraged MS in the belief that
any such union is Immediately practicable.
Mexico, somehow, spoiled our dream. A
Latin union for the present is not practicable.
In the interests of humanity and civilization,
| in the high sense, 1t is not even desirable.
| But an Iberan union, though lesser triumph,
| points in the same high direction. We have
no choice, therefore, but to give it our hearty
encouragement. Such a union would be a
good thing for Spain, good thing for Portu-
gal, good thing for the so called Latin races,
and good thing for modern progress. If
union of the whole Latin family is not now
possible, a union Of certain subordinate sec
tions of that family is at least hopeful and full
Of encouragement.
We look upon the present union movement
in the Iberian Peninsula from the point of
view thus indicated. We wish to see the
peoples uniting We wish TO see national bar
riers breaking down, prejudices yielding, and
languages ceasing to act as dividing forces.
We wish to see not only the union Of nations,
family. Every barrier that is broken down,
every prejudice that yields, every dividing
force that loses its energy, is a gain TO
civilization. For these reasons we some time
since rejoiced in the successes of Prussia,
because they pointed to the unifcation of Ger
many. For the same reasons we encouraged
Napoleon to put himself at the head of the
Latin races. And later, for these same rea-
sons, when Spain was experiencing her first
d ficulty in filing the vacant throne of isa-
bella and when her eyes were momentarily
turned to Portugal, we advised Prim aud the
rest of them to follow the example OF the Eng
lish people, who, on the occasion of the deatl,
of Elizabeth, invited King James OF Scotland
to London and thus harmoaiousIy and happily
made Scotland and England one. We are not
iAnorant of the fact that il was difficult then to
take our advice. Spain was not prepared,
and Portugal was not ready. Now, however,
after year and many odd months, Spain still
begs for king. Thc princes of Europe will
not have the crown. Spain has come down SO
low as to offer the crown to her own Subjects
but even they object. Espartero does not care
for it, and Serrano is sick of his empty honors.
1t has always been matter OF surprise
to us that Portugal did not catch the conta-
gon of revolution from her neigbbor. II
now appears that our surprise was not
wholly without reason. II our news proves to
be correct there has been quiet understand
ing between powerful party in Portugal and
the leaders of the Spanish revolution. Az all
events this does appear: Prm has been in
correspondence with Saldanha. This also is
undeniab.e the Iberian question, through the
Spanish revolution, has reached point which
offers solution of all existing trouble in the
Peninsula.
The settlement of the Spanish throne ques-
ton is now, in our Judgment, made easy. The
King of Portugal is young and highly re-
spectacle sovereign. With the materials at
his command he has governed wisely and
well. Spain cannot do better than offer him
the double crown Luis can reign as well in
Madrid as in Lisbon; and if Portugal becomes
second Scotland and Lisbon q second Edin-
burg neither Spain nor Portugal will have any
cause OF complaint. The union Of the two
Kingdoms in the Peninsula has become ne
cessity, and better opportunity than that
which now promises to offer itself will never
be presented. Divided, the lberian Peninsula
is weak. United, Spain and Portugal would
be force in the modern world. If Spain is
wise she will offer her despised crown to King
Luis of Portugal.
| THE CUBANs IN THE FIELD. We publish on
another page an interesting description of the
progress of the Cuban revolution. The ac-
count is from o gentleman who has had ample
facilities for judging by personal observation
of the prospects for the success or failure OF
the revelation. For % time he was with the
| insurgents, and is. therefore, in position to
! inform us pretty clearly of how and where they
| live and their manner Of conducting the cam
paign. Our informant also explains the manu-
facture of the so-called ''Spanish victori es'