The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-26
THE CANDIDACY OF PRINCE LEO
pOLD

POLD.
IT was natural enough century OF two ago
that great wars should arise from the efforts
to advance the dynastic interests of this or
that aristocratic European family, but con-
tinental struggle in 1870 about the Spanish
succession is an unlooked-for and totally in
appropriate and inopportune event. The old
theory was that nations and peoples belonged
to their kings, and that the choice of
monarch involved the transfer to him of
control well-nigh absolute over the lives and
property of his subjects The relatives and
allies of contending aspirants naturally took
sides for their favorites while this
idea prevailed, recklessly plunging
nations into destructive conflicts for the
qualification of individual ambition. The
modern theory of liberal nations, however, is
that the king belongs to the people instead
of the people belonging to the king; and
that when emergencies arise which necessi-
tate a new choice, they should exercise COM
plete freedom of choice in selecting such
monarch as will, in their judgment best
serve their interests. No nation has more
boldly asserted this privilege or more freely
used it than France She dethroned the
Bourbons against the protests of Europe, ex-
alted to supreme power the most sanguinary
of her revolutionists, tried in turn the gov
ernment of Directory, Consul, and an
Emperor - then submitted again to
the old Bourbon rule, and sub
sequently went through all the gradations
involved in the administration of citizen
king, provisional government, President,
and a second Emperor. With these antece-
dents, it would seem that she is the last ma
ton in the world that should deny to Spain
that freedom of action which she has so fire.
quently claimed for herself. The Spanish
diplomatic circular which announced the can
didacy of Prince Leopold claims not only
that he is the most acceptable candidate
available, but that the preliminary negotia-
tons were all conducted with him alone, no
influence of a foreign cabinet being per-
mitted, and no reason being fur
nished by his candidacy either for
the ill-will of any foreign nation against
Spain, or for disturbance of the mutual rela-
tions between foreign powers. Under these
circumstances the French demand for Leo
pold's withdrawal was exceedingly arrogant:
it can only be partially justified by the alleged
promise of Bismarck that no German prince
should seek the Spanish thrones and after
Leopold prompt withdrawal from the list of
candidates, even French pride should have
been fully satisfied. 1t is evident that
guarantees were demanded for the express
purpose of precipitating conflict for which
Prussia did not seem to be fully prepared,
rather than for increased security on mooted
point in Spanish politics, in which France
could not interfere at all without violating
her own doctrines and ignoring her own ex-
ample. Napoleon has been nursing his wrath
against Prussia, and each new light thrown
upon the late complications helps to prove
that he wants to fight her on account of old
offenses rather than on account of the new
grievances which he vainly endeavors to mag
Nifty into real importance.