The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-21
SPIRIT or THE PRESS.
Editorial Opinions of the Leading Journals
upon Current Topics-Compiled Every
Dayfor the Evening Telegraph.
THE VACANT SPANISH THRONE.


From the NJ Y. World
1t has been promised that with the flowers
of May should come the election or the selec-
ton of king of Spain. It is permissible to
believe that the flowers of May may give
place to the fruits of June, and that these in
their turn may wither beneath the frosty
blasts Of November, ere this promise is re-
deemed; but it is certainly true that the time
has arrived when the Spanish people may in
sist upon a settlement of some kind, so that
they may know whether they are to live
under a monarchy or a republic. The people
who got up the revolution which expelled
Isabella declared at the outset that their pur-
pose was to establish a constitutional mon
archy with q sovereign who should merit the
confidence of the nation. Partisan intrigues
and personal jealousies, however made it
impossible to place on the throne the prince
whom the revolutionists had agreed to sup
port; and the country has been annoyed by
attempts to impose other candidates, and by
schemes for the establishment of a republic
or dictatorship. AS make-shift, the
regency was set up-the anomaly of
having a regent who could not point out
the infant sovereign in whose name he
reigned being pardoned In consideration of
the understanding that the regency was
nothing more than a provisional measure,
which should give way as soon as the
monarch could be chosen. The Cortes and
the regent were to choose the king, and,
although up to this time they have failed to
make their choice, it has now become plain
that this state of things cannot be much
longer endured. Serrano has apprised
Marshal Prim that he is more than
anxious to get rid of the unenviable
distinction of the regency; the Cortes
and the country are desirous of having
the business settled; and as it has long
ceased to be q secret that the candidate
named by Prim will be the successful one,
and that no rival has any chance at ALL it is
all important to determine which of the three
possible aspirants to the throne he is likely
to name as the choice of himself and his
party. These three possible candidates are
Marshal Espartero, the Prince of the Asturias,
and the Duke de Montpensier. Without as
scribing to Prim an undue share of ambition,
it may be admitted that at one time he in
dulgedin dreams wherein he saw himself upon
the throne;Ibut he has of late abandoned these
fancies, and has declared, in terms that Danish
all doubt, that he repudiates all intention of
aspiring to kingly dignities. He is content
to be alking-maker instead OF king. But it
seems certain that in his king-making he
must choose one of the three candidates we
have named; and it is not very difficult to
determine which of the three he is must likely
to select. Espartero is seventy-nine years
old. He has no son. If placed on the throne
his death, which must soon occur, would
leave the country in the same dilemma in
which it now finds itself. If the son of Isa-
bella were selected as the king, the exiled
and deposed Queen would reign again in
the person of her child, the republicans
would be exasperated, and even large Sec
ton of Prim's own party, the progresistas,
would be discontented. There remains the
Duke de Montpensier; and, on the WHOLE to
choose him would seem to be the best thing
that could be done. He may be said to have
shot himself into popularity; his late due
has been substantial advantage to him
although he is Frenchman by birth, he is
Spaniard by choice and in feeling; he is popu
lar with the army; he has arrived at an age
when the capabilities of man are mos
mature; and he might soon make himsel
beloved by the majority of the people The
only trouble in the way is that Montpensier'
party has hitherto been in opposition to Prim
and the latter, in consenting to the Duke
elevation to the throne, would give a triumph
to his opponents. But, nevertheless tn
chances now seem to be that Montpensier i
to become the king, and that, too, ere YER