The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-29

OHoer tnlB state or Things IL Is uncertain
what may be the immediate result Of the Car
list movement, how long Amadeus may re-
main on the throne or what party may gain
the ascendancy in the event of the instruction
ultimately succeeding. Don Carlos represents
the reaction in Spain, as the Count de Cham
bord does in France Though his views may
be modified by the liberal spirit of the age
and he might not think of falling back to the
absolute monarchical ideas of the past, he
stands upon the principle of divine right, as
the old Bourbons of France do We cannot
believe it possible that Spain will return to
this exploded dogma of the Middle Ages,
though she might prefer native prince and
one OF the race of her ancient monarchs to
foreigner The aristocracy and conservative
classes might accept Don Carlos rather than
republic or the chances of prolonged revolr,-
ton. But can they stem the tide of demo-
cratic opinions, which are based upon the
rightof choosing a ruler and lf-government,
and which naturally lead to republicanism?
Spain has felt the impulse of modern liberal
ideas, which the press, telegraph and steam
power are conveying to all countries Though
the Peninsula is more isolated than the central
portions of Europe from this mighty influence
Of modern development and progress
and though the masses of Spanish people,
particularly in the rural districts, are more
welded to their old prejudiccs or views than
are the people Of some other European coun-
tries, Spain is moving with the times The
Spaniards are impressed quickly, have gener-
GUS impulses and are apt to act promptly.
Hence they make sometimes important poll
tical movements before being well prepared
for the change or the country is ripe for it, In
the cities-the contres of advanced thought
and among the educated classes there are
many republicans. Through their influence,
and as the consequence of corrupt and extrav-
agant monarchical government, the republic
was proclaimed But the reaction proved too
powerful for it. The republican party is still
too weak, probably to establish government
Still, every failure Of monarchical rule brings
Spain nearer to democratic self-government
The country may have to pass through
severe and bloody ordeal, or more than one
and this appears to be the price Of liberty in
Europe-but it cannot 60 back to the dark
Ages, it cannot resist the influences of modern
thought and civilization, it must advance with
the progress Of the times.
1t appears to be the destiny of Spain to
keep Europe in state of CONFUSION. That
was the position Of France but she has
worked out the problem Of conflict between
the past and present further than any other of
the Continental nations of Europe, and her
late misfortunes keep her under restraint
The revolutionary fires are not extinguished in
France, however, and from her central posi-
ton i'll Europe and the activity of the French
mind any great movement there must be felt
all over the Continent The feudal past, with
its exclusiveness and bigotry, has been pretty
well worked out Of the volcano Of French
revolution. 1t is burning still in Spain. And |
it is this which makes the Peninsula subject to
There the fiery democrat and intense republi-
can come directly in conflict with the naughty
cavalier and proud aristocrat, and with the
bigotry of medieval age. Spain was the
proximate cause Of the terrible Franco Ger
man war, which dethroned Napoleon and
Inundated France so much. She has been
the cause Of other wars, revolutions and great
changes, and will continue to be- probably,
till she is purged Of the anomalies in her
political and social condition and settles down
TO regular and liberal form Of government
How long it may take or what troubles
Spain may have to pass through before she
reaches that end no one can know The pres
Har1; ,,,on Il, l~,,@ ~.
phases of her revolutionary condition. The
dethronement Of Queen Isabella was another
phase. The candidature Of Prince Hohen-
zollern and the elevation of Amedeus to the
throne were also phases. While 1t is painful
to contemplate this continued and irrepressible
revolution it seems to be the only way in
which the deep-seated evils of that country can
be cured Tho tendency everywhere in Europe
has been from absolutism and divine right of
kingly government to constitutional monarchy,
and now the struggle is for democracy, politi-
cal equality and elective rulers. 1t is a strug-
gle between the dark and repressive past and
the enlightened progressive present. King
of Spain, or whoever else throws
himself into the arena Of conflict, must take the
whatever they may be- Only
those who comprehend the elements and ma
ture of the political and social forces in com
bat and can use them skilfully may hope to
retain power. The world is getting beyond
being governed by sentiment or fiction and is
becoming terribly in earnest, practical and pro-
gressive.
Is the story About Captain Hairs
Expedition q Hoaxr
The long story relating the accident to the
steamer Polaris, of Captain Halls expedition,
it would seem, bears marks of being wholly
spurious contemporary, In its Thursday
issue, gave long account, with all the details
Of the alleged disaster to the steamer, but they
do not bear scrutiny IL was not the intention