The New York herald., 1870-02-01

"n.-yn IN lE from roaesurinB An excitinB
| discussion had taken place in tho Constituent
| Cortes between Sehor Fjgneras, prominent
republican, and General Prim. Figueras, in
| the course OF his remarks, stated that certain
so-called insurgents, who had simply been ex-
| ercising their individual rights and who had
been killed by the government troops, were, to
use the right word, assassinated. Prim de-
manded that the offensive words be retracted.
As Figueras refused to retract the general
opinion was that the difficulty would result in a
duel. 1t is at the same time announced that
a grand military review which was to come
of yesterday has been indefinitely postponed.
This intelligence does not encourage us to
believe that matters are as they ought to be in
other kind OF progress than that which has
been characteristic Of Spain any time these
last three hundred years. II is downhill
progress. We do not make too much OF the
difference between Figueras and Prim. Such
difference is not unnatural in the circumstances
in which they find themselves placed. Men
will use unguarded language when they feel
strongly, and especially in times of great ex-
element, when heads as well as hearts are
on fire. Prim's great mistake is that he is
setting himself up too much against the whole
people. 1t is now some time since we learned
that he had ceased to be Prime Minister of
Spain. In his capacity of Prime Minister he
most egregiously failed We naturally ex-
pected that Prim would for q time retire into
the background. But, whatever changes may
have taken place in the Spanish Cabinet, it is
manifest that Prim il quite as much in the
foreground as ever. He is still at the head
of the army; and we suppose he feels that to
retain his hold on the army he must needs balk
before the people. In the Cabinet or out of
the Cabinet, Prime Minister or not Prime Min
lister, it is undeniable that, with the army at
his back, Prm is now, as he has been during
the whole period Of this revolutionary crisis,
the most formidable person in Spain. That
he has failed to make any good use of his
has opposed q republic, but he has failed to
find king. 1t might have been possible for
him to play the part Of Cromwell or a Napo-
leon but from lack Of courage, we think,
rather than from lack of ambition, he has lost
his opportunity. That he is still bent on some
game is certain; but we have yet to
learn that Prim can do anything more than
put down paltry Instructions. The con-
tinued power Of Prim Is very instructive
commentary on the absolute incapacity of the
Spanish people as whole. Every lover of
liberty has, during these last fifteen months.
hoped well of Spain but every one has to con-
fess that hope has been turned to disappoint-
ment.
To our minds the indefinite postponement Of
the grand military review is mnch more seri-
GUS matter than the difficulty between Prim
and Figueras. 1t really is a bad and dis
couraging omen. So far as we can see, the
natural Interpretation Of the postponement Of
the review is that the government has dis
covered some reason for distrusting the troops.
There is strong republican sentiment in
Madrid The review contemplated would
bring in thousands from all parts of the coun-
try. Disafection to the present government
especially to Prim-exists in other than re-
publican bosoms All classes Of the people
are sick OF the apparently interminable delay
in bringing about some final settlement. The !
review would bring the troops into dangerous |
contact with the masses of the population. |
The detection Of single regiment or even Of |
single superior officer might make an end Of |
,he Regency, and send Prim and the rest of |
them to company with Isabella. If this be the
true explanation of the postponement Of the
military review II shows that a crisis is at
hand All has been well for the men now in
power, because the army could be relied upon.
II the army is now wavering we shall at no
distant day have startling intelligence. We
do not think that the falling away Of the army
would be bad thing for Spain. 1t might lead
to some fighting The fighting might develop
some new men. AT any rate it would relieve
the monotony of which all are heartily sick.
There is only one other feasible explanation
Of the present state Of things and that is that
Prim meditates coup Gtt0t. 1t is said that
having done his best to find king to fill the
vacant throne, and having 80 thoroughly COM
mitted himself to monarchy, he has resolved
to make himself complete master of the gov
ernment, and then invite the young Prince Of
the Asturias to take hold of the sceptre which
fell from his mothers grasp. It well known
that there are many in Spain who would not
be unwilling to tolerate temporary violence for
30 desirable consummation. 1t is notorious
that the Cortes are no longer committed
against the Bourbons. The recent vote makes
a restoration at least possibility. 1t is pro-
bable that the restoration of the monarchy in
the person OF the son of Isabella would give
serious offence to the Carlists. But q rising
of the Carlists would be matter compara-
lively Of little importance if the progresistas
and the unionists went together in favor
of the restoration. AS there is now no