New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-12-22
A PERMANENT CRISIS.

The new Cabinet of Spain Is nothing but
the prolongation of the crisis. The dishonest
cabal which by trick and surprise overthrow
the liberal government of Ruiz Iorrilla is once
moro fully established in favor 10y the formal
resignation of the Malcampo Ministry and the
assumption by Sagasia of the Presidency of the
Council. 1t will Ie remembered that the
ZorrilIa Cabinet resigned on account of the
election of SaGasta to the Presidency of tho
Cortes by a coalition Of Union Liberals and
other rcactionary branches of the Chamber.
The Malcampo Cabinet then came in, and they
have in turn resigned after a succession of
checks and defeats. In tho Cortcs and in the
popular elections. The time having now arrived
| when the King may cOnstitutionally dissOlvethe
national Congress, it was thought that he
would pursue the course dictated by justice
and sound policy alikc-call Ruiz Gorilla and
the Radical leaders into his COunscls, and
then dissolve the Chambers and 60 to the
country upon the issue thus made up. The
Radicals who consist of The liberal Progress
lists and the Democrats are by far the most
numerous party in tho Cortes. The results of
the recent elections show they are also in
majority in the country. Even in Madrid,
under strong Government influences, they
the Ministeriasts, as 10 to 1. In moral force
they are relatively stronger. because, although
the Republicans consistently refuse to affiliate
with any monarchical party. yet it is well
known that they will support in all uncsscn
tial matters a Radical Cabinet. Even CASTELAR,
announced in the Cortes that they would pre-
serve in regard to such Cabinet an "atti-
"tude of friendly observation" The Radicals
were indicated by common sense as we'll as by
parliamentary practice as tho SUCCESSORS of the
Macampo Ministry.
But Che same intrigue which forced the
downfall of the Gorilla Cabinet has been
strong enough to prevent ITS reinstatement.
Sagasta has doubtless availed himself of that
conventional habit of parliamentary Govern
ments which makes it the function of a retir-
ing premier to indicate 10 the sovereign the
person who he thinks should succeed him, and
has induced the subservcnt Malcampo to re-
commend him, instead of one who would be
acceptable TO the working majority of the
Cortes and who would satisfy the just re-
quiremcnts of public opinion. This action is
the more wantOn in tho ey-Minister, as he was
already in possession OF one Of the highest
Offices of the kingdom. and shows that his
only purpose in seeking the Presidency of the
Chamber was to cmbaTass and de-
stroy if possible the former Radical Min
istry. When ho was offered the commission of
forming a new Government, he promptly ac-
cepted and presented yesterday to the King
the list we publish to-day. 1t is a more
homogeneous Cabinet than was expected by
tho young monarch. The Radicals, as mat
tor of course, refused to enter Ministry at
the head of which stood the man whose name
sgnifes the practical denial of every principle
they profess. 1t would have been too great
humiliation for the genuine Progressists and
Democrats of Spain to accept Office under the
lead of the man who had deprived them of
their ightful position in the Government and
in the Congress. Sagasta fell back on bis new
allies, and formed Cabinet of reactonsts
and obscurants- The President is the person
ificaton of intrigue and cynical unbeief in
principles and ideas lie Ia the Mephistopheles
of Spanish political Malcampo remains as Min
lister of Marine, mere creature of Sagasta.
De Bias continues Minister of Foreign Affairs, |
q respectable man Of routine and nothing |
more. An effort has been made to induce To- |
pete to lend to tho Cabinet the sanction of his |
name and popularity by taking tho Ministry of |
Ultramar. But the latest advices indi- !
cate that he withholds his acceptance of |
this difficult and thanklcss appointment |
Minister of tho Colonies at any
time has an uneasy chair; but now, when
he is compelled to witness tho most shameful
GENES aud scandals without the privilege of |