New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-24
DISSOLUTION OF THE SPANISH CORTES.
ADMIRAL TOPETE's SPEECH DEFINING HIS POSI-

DISSOLUTION OF THE SPANISH C0RTES.
ADMIRAL ToPETE's SPEECH DEFINING HIS POSI-
TON.
On the question of the dissolution of the
Constitutional Cores Admiral Topete delivered the fol-
| lowing powerful and impressive speech, in which he
made clear and mreserved statement OF his connection
with the revolution OF September. The noble and SELF
sacrificing intention he announced of eceivng no proit
whatever from the revolution he had promoted ana MS
resolve again to hold naval command which ne
had been forced from patriotic motives TO turn against
the constituted authorities, so new to spanish pol-
tics and indicated delicate sense OF military ana
personal powerfully impress the Cortes ana
the countryand it doubtless the confidence and re-
gard arising from this speech that designated him Tor e
Presidency Of the Council on the woundng OF Marsai
| Prm. The speech was as follows:
1t ought be wondered at that in spite OF the re
peated illusions made to me in the course OF these
bates have not risen to speak for the aspect OF the
Chamber since the presentation of this proposition is
imposing, not only TO one like me, who Is unaccustomed
n is however no longer possible for preserve 81
| lenee. the Revolutionary Period Is that ~n n,
th6rizatiOn given to Gen; serrano to form the
Provisional Government, lasted during the exist
Of that Government, and ended when that Govern
ment met in this place, the Cortes CONSTITUENCIES elected
by universal suffrage. From that moment the Revolu-
tionary Period ceased and the Period began
| the Revolutionary Dictatorship ended, and we com
enced new epoch OF The bfso sga T3G TGachod was
zenith the day we signed the Constitution;
|
fundamental reconstruction concluded From that day
| everything opposed to any OF the Articles of that
ton Of its spirit Our attitude to-day is no other thing
but dilemmaeither the Cortes CONSTITUENCIES have con
cluded their work. or they have not II the former their
mission 10 ended If the latter, il is not As there still
essential laws to he made they should he made by
then till the assembling of "Cortes Ordinaros
But what do they sayl They tell us they viii give
six eight days approve the projects named in the
position and they give us To understand that If not
cuded by then, they will end discussions and plant
floyug ~. fftstC
procedure is complete infringement Of the Constitution
and the Standing Rules Article 81 of the Constitution
tutions They permitted authorizations. but the Const
tuition which rules us to-day, and TO which men Of
nently. How then, can you require To vote this
proposition How can you require it Of the man who
rebelled in CadZ for the liberties Of his country and
who in his manifesto declared this question of authorza
tons Of his moving causes9 Can you expect the
man who signed that manifesto TO vote the authorize
ton you now ask lDeafenng cheers from the Opposl-
toni
II we have not been able to do everything
offered; it, before the natural perturbatons which rise
promises shall be the first to infringe Consttu
ton lCheersl If were to do it, to what would you
and never will be vulgar cOnspirator. Tremendous
cheersl rose in rebellion made the sacrifice of
country and the Constitution we have given her, and
her parliamentary privileges are what came here to
defend! Gentlemen let invoke the revolutiOn An,
gentlemen, the revolution! If we were to represent her
by the picture of chaste nation and il there
present the Duke de la Tore. as there are Gen;
Prim and myself, and we approached her, we should
should trace in her the lines OF various artists and
the coOrs OF all the schools. For my part, must say
diadem on her brow But there were some who wished
first to adorn her with other classical recOrds We IN due
symbol of Christianity the breast of this nation, i'll
just homage TO the aspirations and the Catholic be-
crown the edice OF our traditions with the ratiica
her monarchy and her Christianity she may be what
you Ike but she viii not be Spain Terrific applanse
SO of
ton. The Minister of Fomento Echagaray) invoked ia
BY it the ancient dynasty fel You may carry that prn
ciple where you please you invoke IL now, tOn0rrow
other Governments will do it at caprice and we know
where may be carried by the proclamation Of this
principle: Ny position is special very special TINS is
entirely You all know my Compromises before the
luton have confirmed aad repeated them publicly.
The President Of the Council Gen Priin my friend for
ever in his speech of the 10th OF November fixed all orr
respective positions From this respectful distance III
which my sylnpathes and my promises OF two years
Duke of Aosta may secure the felicity Of my country
but this declaration once made you must not expect me
t. abrdge this distance. cannot aDTdge IL, ana you
ought not to require greater sacrifice of my dignity
repeat will pray that the monarchy the majority of this
Assembly has created VIII secure the felicity OF the
country, believe it would have been secured by the
Prince who had sympathy, and for whom, Will not
But begin to this hopethe felicity OF the
country. feel deeply that the King elect. taking
Jates will that you are making him swear To Con-
situton which hurry him TO his seat you yourselves
will recoect gentlemen, that when we signed the Con
titution, each ofus kept the pen with which we did IT.
placed my signature Of respect to the Constitution ana
the liberties of my country. intend to leave II to my
children "a legacy. Can those who vote against tis
Constitution do the same tremendous cheer Before
/ sit down must make declaration which have con
ceived from the moment started from the quays OF
Cadz breach of my military obedience. The day the
| Cortes opened, myself and my companions came
! here TO place our conduct at the iGet =, o i
the Parliament, confessing frankly and oyaliy that
had committed act OF lnsurrechOn; Jhat though
soldiers, had violated the law. Our idea was good
vet had broken discipline The day decided TO
place myself at the service of country and violated
my duties soldier, conceived that that should be
nv last military decided not u return 10 my COM
revolution. The; determination about 10 express
would have been the same if the Prince OF synpa
tines had been seated the throne Of san Fernando
You must not take II as an act OF hostility The memory
OF my fathers requires it, broke the law and cannot
return command. There is something else, gentlemen
and this have stated here many time My spirit was
much disturbed before took the resolution 10 support
revolution knew that ilustrOus persorages would
be the victims. desire that when those persons think OF
their throne, what is of their lost country
point by my act, became the foostool OF my fortune
Intense cheersl So gentlemen, declare solcnny be-
fore the Chamber that tomorrow will ask my release
from the military service. loud cries al through tle
House of 'No nO!"l Yes, gentlemen, it is an uncon-
querable decision. The shades OF the friends have
served demand IT. the names OF Canas OF Prince de
Rivera OF Bustllo of Pareja, and of Mendez Nunez.
Great cheers remember the embrace the latter gave
Inc at Calao. He said, Much does it please me to call
companion; !" "cOmpaniOn" he called who was
but the least of ell his captains This said with in
tense emOtion The fuhllmeniof this determination IL
sacred and memorable, but this will not imply that will
be deaf to the call OF country II country believes
| can lend her my services in public and parliamentary
| life. lCheersl. conclude, gentlemen. / sorry
have not been clear aud 80 explicit as desired re-
neat that respect all that consttuonally emanates
from the COrtes Constituencies But what asked OF
us is antcOnstitutiOnal and antparlamentary There
fore, neither with my vote nor even by my presence will
| authorize IL.
MR. sTILLMAN EXPLAINS.