The New York herald., 1871-01-02
SKETCH OF GENERAL PRIM.


Contrary TO the expectations which the first de-
spatches formed General Prim has succumbed to the
wounds inflicted by the hands OF assassins and has
gone down to hts grave another victim to Spanish
violence and anarchy. Whatever faults he may
have had he certainly deserved q better fate than
that which has befaen him. for he was undoubt-
edly one of The most gallant men in Spain.
HIS EARLY CAREER.
Don Juan Prim viscount del Brusch, Count de
Reus Marques de Las Castillejos and Gr8ndee or
Spain OF the First Glass, was born In Reus q town
in Catalonia, near Tarragona, on the 9th Of Decem-
ber, 1914. His father was colonel OF Spanish
infantry, OF limited means being
compelled to depend upon this scanty fare for his
support. Nevertheless his military position ena-
bled his to obtain admission a'cadet in NIL
nary school. Prim had not been IN the army many
months before the civil war Of 1888, following the
death Of King Ferdinand, broke out and gave him
chance to distinguish himself. HI espoused the
cause OF the Queen Mother against Don Carlos, and
as lieutenant OF the Catalan Free Corps behaved with
so much gaantry on the battle field that he soon
obtained the rank OF captain and in 1887 was pro-
noted to colonelcy and decorated with several
military orders.
IN POLITICS.
After the close of the civil war Prim entered upon
his political career His early education had been
quite deBcient, but he made up Tor the deficiency by
a course OF private studies and bv his participation
in the political movements OF the day. Having by
this time achieved favorable reputation he had be-
come popular with the people, who elected him as
Deputy 10 several successive Parliaments, in which
his eloquence soon made him influential But from
the 1t was evident that political consistency
could not be expected from him. After the fight
OF the Queen Mother he allied himself to the
progresissas, and became devoted to the cause
nj n tha
winning SIDE he was continually in Office
and his services to the country were
such tnat by the time Espartero had been
driven out OF Spain, Prim had become a major
general and been created Viscount del Brusch in
1s42 he was accused OF completely In the insurrec-
ton Of Saragossa, and was compelled TO seek
refuge in France where he renewed his alliance
with the Queen Mother and entered into conspira-
cles tor her restoration.
PARTICIPATION IN INsURRECTIoNs.
Elected in 1s43 Deputy to the Cores for the city OF
Barcelona, he returned to Spain and entered into
the coalition between the Christmas ana the pro-
gresstas against Espartero, his late chief As the
man OF action it was not long before Prim pro-
|. ceeded to coercive measures In May OF the same
year he headed an insure ctton which began In
his native city OF Reus. Zurnano however, one or
from the place. He fed to Barcelona, where he re-
mained until Espartero was overthrown, when be
f'hr,stina now resumed power. and she AZ once
made Prim full general and gave him the title OF
Count de Reus- He was also appointed Governor
of Madrid, position he is said TO have held for q
= sShort time with signal success.
DISGRACE.
The insurrectiOn which had broken out In BARGE
Iona stu continuing Prim undertook to suppress 1t.
But he had political reasons for the con-
anuance OF the revolt and he USED the forces
at his disposal in glarlngly incompetent a man
n that ayear passed aud Catalonia was not pacihed
FoT this he was recalled in disgrace by the Queen,
w hl fOr JY
was about this time 1s44) that the attempt made
70 assassinae Narvaez, then at the head Of the gov
eminent, as be was driving TO the opera one even
ing. The assassIns fired into his carriage IN the
Gale de Baesta. Narvaez and Bernancez de Cas-
the Prime Minister'S aid de camp, was shot dead.
Prm was charged with completely In the attempt
He was, however clearly innocent Of any knowledge
OF the assassination plot snd was acquitted of the
charge, but was sentenced to several months i'm
iaprlsonment for treason.
IN THE WEST INDIES.
On regainisg his freedom he again sought ONCE
gslrvaeZ had by this time began to fear Prinl and
he decided to get him out OF Spain. He was accord
ing.y appointed Captain General OF Porto Rico and
desp atched TO the island before the close or 1874.
Whle mere negro ins,irrection broke cut on tne
island Of Santa Cruz. The Dansh military force,
smau In number would have been soon driven from
the isis MI had NOT Prim come 10 the rescue On his
own responsibility he transported the greater part
OF his troops TO santa Cruz, ana after baef, but
vigorous campaign, completely crushed the insur-
gents For this service the grateful KING OF
Denmark rewarded him with she order OF
10 UauN0lDR 1ue Spduibu BoNcTumcuts uOWSNeT,
was not dis posed TO thank him. He was blamed
for rashly removing the Spanish garrscns from
Porte Rico and imperling one OF the most valuable
possessons0f the Spanish crown. The government
accordingly recalled ham TO Spain and tried him for
derellctlon OF duy. Tne slight punishment which
followed dad net affect his future fortunes Ii was
q characteristic OF Prm that he always remained
hopeful The condition u Spain was deplorabe.
Cabinet after cabinet followed each other with
rapdty tnat one was called the Lghtning Ministry:
but Prim always succeeded In making himself ser
yIceable TO EACH Finally he became involved in
conspiracy against Bravo Murillo, who banlshed
him, together with General Ortega.
HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE EAST
During the past fifty years every Spanish states
man OF any eminence has spent part OF his life IN
exile. Prim's banishment was not unexpected; IL
did not lnJure hlsn. After short absence ne re-