The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-17
The Decisive Hour for spntu.


The Decisive Hour for Spain.
The world of enlightened and progressive
thinkers. when they first heard Of the revolu-
ton that expelled from the renowned old land
of Ruy Dlaz the Cid and Ferdinand and Isa-
bella, government that seemed totally made
quate to the requirements Of Its modern life,
was unanimous In predicting glorious things
Never had so complete change been effected
at so little cost of life or with such fair de-
meanor on the part of the victors, and 1t was
not too much to expect that men who knew
how to make o movement so adroitly and
manage its results so judiciously would be
equal to the task Of reconstruction. But
months and even years, well nigh, have rolled
away, and Spain is still seen laundering about
in that slough Of despond styled a regency.
Her crown has gone begging, only to be
peremptorily rejected by every one So
licited, excepting by the Hohenzollern
Prince, whose acceptance has been made
the pretext of ferocious war between
France and Germany, and came very
near embroiling Spain herself with her
fiery aud imperious Gallo neighbor.
The Spanish Ministry were greatly irritated at
the circular Of the Due de Grammont, and on
the night of its receipt at Madrid (July 24)
crowds assembled in the streets Of that city
and loudly menaced not only the French
embassy but all the French residents of the
place. The government was 80 greatly excited
that there was a proposal seriously entertained
to call the Cortes together Immediately, their
proper time of reassembling being October 81.
From that moment the republicans began to
organize in favor of absolute neutrality in the
pending war and Of speedy close to the
interim between the settled form of govern
ment driven out and the one that is to succeed
it, On the 18th of July grand mass meeting
of all the liberals who dwell on tho right bank
of the Tagus was held at Plasencia and the
proclamation of republic was boldly sug-
gested.
The Spanish Ministry has, indeed, published
decree of neutrality, but many of the minis
terial journals and all of those in the demo-
cratic interest decidedly lean toward
Prussia. Upon a careful survey and
comparison of the different elements Of
the Spanish press, as representatives Of
public opinion, we come to the distinct
CONCLUSION that the restoration Of the throne
and the browning Of the Prince Of the Astu-
rias are regarded as the sure consequences Of
French success, the event to be followed by
another moderado ministry, which would
commit over again just the faults that drove
them from power, along with Queen Isabella,
before. On the other hand, 1t is believed that
Prussian triumph would lead at once to the
republic In France, and that Spain would have
to initiate her. Well, thus far the Prussians
have won every point, the trumpet of republi-
canism is sounding the reveille throughout
France and its echoes are heard through the
gorges of the Pyrenees already, and hearl-
ened to mos. eagerly by exulting millions.
The workingmen have appeared in immense
masses in the streets at Cadiz, Valencia, Sara
gossa, Barcelona and Madrid, where they
bear this inscription on their banners
Army, Government, Aristocracy, Middle
Classes-the People are Hungry"
In the meanwhile Sehor Rivero, the Minister
of the Interior, has insisted upon the definitive
adoption of constitution, in order to be in adj
vance of the mandates that might be imposed by
either successful belligerent but he has been
so bitterly attacked by the IBERIA, the organ
of General Prim and Se1or Sagasta, the
Minister of State, that he and all the other
democrats in the Cabinet are Withdrawing.
The reactionists the procrastinators and the
conspirators for any and every species of
monarchical form. therefore, find themselves
left face to face with the country now weary
of delay and indignant at the serio-comic per-
formances of its reputed lawglvers. This.
then, is the decisive moment for the Spanish
people-''the tide which, taken at the food,
leads on to fortune" With intellects like
Topete, Rios-Rosas and Lorenzana at their
command, and 80 grand and majestic voice
as that of CASTELAR, to announce their cause to
the world, the progressists need hesitate
no more. The great French terror hangs over
them no longer. They have but to raise their
souls to the height Of the popular yearning
and Spain may lead the van Of the slsterhood
of republics which are, presently, to revive
the youth, redouble the energies, and secure
the happiness Of nations so long made the
sport of arbitrary power and the footstool of
military arrogance.
THE YACHT RAoEs.-Newport saw an ex-
ceedingly interesting yacht race yesterday
one in which two such famous vessels as the
Cambria and Magic came in so close together
that the judges had to scratch their wigs for a
long time before they could decide on the
winner The Magic was finally declared to
onds, thus winning the cup presented by
Mr.. Ashbury himself while the Cambria,
90 sooond In tho room uop thu cup