New-York tribune., 1871-01-11
THE EEW SPANISH CABINET.


THE NEW SPANISH CABINET
Tho first important act OF King Amadeus
shows clearly enough as wo had previously
indicated, his intention to make the expert
ment of keeping intact the coalition Oh inc
three Revolutionary parties, the Progreslstas'
Union Liberals, and Democrats. ms coalition
was formed in the conspiracies OF factlonists
and exiles, was cemented by tho enthusiams
of Cadiz and the blood of Alcolea, ana
weathered all the storms the Constituent
Cortes passed through in the process or form
ing the Constitution of SPAIN Each fraccoh
Welded something of its most advanced views
in the interest of harmony. The Democrats
accepted the monarchy and the Umonists con-
sented to the adoption of religious liberty,
and the Progrcsstas, under their adroit ana
indefatigable chief Juan Prim, retained their
majority in the Chamber, in spite OF temporary
flurries, unimpaired for eighteen months. Inc
movement of the UnioniStGs to defeat tho
Government on its financial policy came 10
pieces in the face of Prim's magmh-
cent generalship on the night of San Jose,
and the Progresistas and Democrats saved the
organization of the majority against the inco-
bcrent attack of Unionists, Carlists, and Re
publicans. From that time to the present inc
Unionists have been out OF Office, excepting
the temporary assumption of the Presidency
bv Topete on the wOunding Of Marshal Prlm.
But the sagacious acceptance by this combina-
ton of veteran oficehOlders of the Italian
candidacy, and their easy REIMBURSEMENT OF
their own favorite MOntpensier the moment
his chances fell below reasonable probability,
have fully reinstated them in the royal grace.
And the tragical death of the Count OF Keus,
in depriying the Progresisas OF their most
able leader, has doubtless aided the supple
courtiers and intrigants of the Unionlst party
to gain a representation in the new Cabinet
entirely out of proportion to their numbers IN
the Chambers or the country.
Serrano, the late Regent, nominal head but
real figure-head of that party, succeeds to the
murderered Marshal's place as President or
tho Council and Minister of War. He can be
described in one word as the Gov Hoffman of
the Liberal Union-always holding some high
position, always Sinking responsibility, always
handsome, courteous, and affable; the soul OF
honor and the tool Of thieves; deficient III
force, and abounding in style. nj. Uliou, Z"
leading lawyer and politician of the same
reactionary school, succeeds the liberal and
enlightened Montero Rios as Minister Of
Justice. The Democrat MOret is displaced as
Minister of the Colonies by Don Adelardo
Lopez de Ayala, young poet of unnecessary
beauty, whose tragedies never fail, and whose
political measures always do.
To match these three Uni0nists, the Pro-
gresistas, who have double their number in
the COrtes, have only an equal number in the
Cabinet. Sagasta. late Minister Of State, as
sumcs for tie present the portfolios of Finance
and the Interior. He has been hitherto Prim's
right hand, and it remains to be seen if he
can display the same able activity as a leader
which lie has shown rs a subordinate. Ad-
miral Beranger remains Minister of Marine;
he is purely q naval officer, of no prominence
in politics. Ruiz Gorilla, late President of the
Cortes, who was on the Piedmont Embassy,
returns to the Department he filled some time
ago, the Ministry of Public Works. He is an
honest and able man, whose natural homo
would be, perhaps, with the Republicans, had
he not been kept in the monarchical ranks by
his firm and unyielding devotion to Gen. Prim.
AS yet the Democrats nave but one repre-
sentative in the Government, though it may
be intended to give them also one of the
places now cumulated by Mr.. Sagasta. But
they have their best man there-we might al
most say thcSbest monarchcal member of the
late Cortes. Cristino Martos, Minister Of State,
is a man who, as well in figure as in character,
seems out of place in a Latin assembly. He
has the stout, short bulk, blonde hair, and
myOpic spectacles of German professor, and
a direct earnestness and energy Of conviction
in public matters usually only expected in
Americans or English of the better class. His
vote in favor of the CASTELAR, amendment for
the immediate abolition Of Slavery in the
Antilles, showed how firm and thorough are
his sympathies with freedom, and his steady
and consistent efforts in the Chambers in the
direction of religious freedom and general
education indicate how correct are his appre-
tensions of the true and safe foundations Of q
democratic commonwealth. As it is the Min
iStry of State with which we are most con-
cerned. it is agreeable to know that Gen.
Sicllles is to have, in our future discussions
with Spain, an opponent so honest, so loyal,
and so sympathetic.
TIE WRONGED WOMAN