The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-05
MARSHAL PRInI.


head of the Spanish nation, has excited
general indignation throughout this coun-
try. 1t comes home to our people with
peculiar force,-for those who have suffered
similar Affections can always feel the
more deeply the woes Of their neighbors.
Whether it was the work of faction
or of some desperate fanatic, the atroci-
ty Of the crime is the same, and its
weight will fall heaviest upon those who
instigated or made it possible. Yet,
although it would appear at first blush,
as did the assassination of Mr.. Lincoln
seem to be tho work of the Confederate
Government, to have been perpetrated in
the interest, and with the connivance of
powerful organization, the Republican
party Of Spain, yet, we believe, with the
New York Tribune, that it will prove the
independent act Of an abandoned ruffian
too vile to find accomplices and too iguo-
rant to appreciate the folly and madness
of his act. Its first logical result will
doubtless be to establish on frmer basis
than seemed possible week ago, the
throne of the young Italian whose election
has given occasion to this dastardly bru-
tality. The Liberal cause will suffer most
by the death of the great monarchist, and
the newly transplanted scion of Piedmont
will enjoy better chance of life now that
it is watered with his blood.
America is much indebted to Marshal
Prim. In 1862 he was in this country,
and visited the Army of the Potomac,
which he reviewed, and we believe wit
messed battle. He studied well the situa-
ton, and made himself thoroughly ac-
quainted with our great resources; and
when he returned to Europe, he gave SO
faithful an account of things to the French
Emperor, that he was frightened out Of
his idea, then almost matured, of recog-
nizibg the Confederacy. Therefore, we
owe him a debt of gratitude, which we
should never forget. He was our friend
and acted as such effectively in time OF
need.
The Tribune, which, in its enthusiasm for
the Republic in Spain, and which we look
upon as chimera, had, previous to his
death, animadverted severely upon the
Marshal but now that he has been so
foully dealt with, that paper does him
noble Justice, while it bitterly denounces
the "deep damnation of his taking of.
Now that he has gone hence, foully MUIR
dered, it says, we cannot withhold the ex'
preston Of our conviction that Spain can.
not afford to lose men of his calibre. He
was cold, unsympathetic, calculating, and
ambitious. But his highest aspiration was
for the glory of Spain, and he bore I'M
Ainchingly long years of exile and perse.
cation in his efforts to give her a govern
ment of liberty and progress. He was
sometimes called traitor to the Republic
The charge is false and unreasonable. He
was never Republican. When he came
ashore 10 September, 1868, in that delirious
hour when ali Spain had gone wild with
an easy triumph and an indefinite hope, 9
citizen snatched his cap and tried to teal
from it the crown that indicated his posi-.
ton in the army. He Indignantly resent
cd the liberty, and cried, "Down with The
Dynasty, but live the Monarchy" From
IL Il. 81 -
Savoy he never ceased to advocate the
coronation of King for Spain.
He cared little for the glitter of APP
parent rank, but hungered and thirsted
after actual power. When the Provisional
Government came to be constituted he
made Serrano Regent, and took for him
self the Ministry of War and the Presi-
dency of the Council. In this position
he gave to Spain the best Government
sha has had for many years. He repress-
ed the Republican revolts and the Car
list risings with prompt and impartial
cruelty, and defended himself against all
the factions in the Cortes with marvellous
readiness end address. He always pre-
tended he had no talent nor taste for
public speaking, but there was not a
lawyer nor a professor in the Chamber
that could hold the attention of the house
as he could. His speeches were models
of adroitness He never lost his calm,
though he often appeared to. But bis
bursts of feeling were as coolly calculated
as his State papers, and as perfectly
adapted to the desired effect. He was the
first party leader in Spain, because his
party trusted him--he never misled them
and never deserted them.
No matter how critical the situation
might seem, they always felt sure that
Juan Prim would find way out of it for
himself and them, too. He was brave
aud skillful soldier, but was never so popu-
lar with the army as some greatly inferior
men. He was not man of brilliant or
imposing presence, and bis reserved and
quiet manner unpleasantly affected the
rank and file. When Serrano rode by, his
dashipg and soldierly bearing extorted a
chorus of viuos. but Prim was usually re-