New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-27
DLSCONTENT IN SPAIN.

Discomfort IN SPAIN.
The action of the King of Spain in keeping
the Sagasta Ministry in power and IN diSsoiV-
ing the National COrtes to prevent their con-
demnatiOn of these unpopular Ministers, mas
met with the natural result The Cortes ad-
iourned after a session of great violence, III
which an omnOus freedom of speech was hearo
One member so far forgot himself as to shoutthat
IQhe time for barricades had come. we shouid
be very glad to believe that the time for
barricades has passed in Spain, although
barbados are less injurious and wantoh
than pronunciamientos. The mob is less
ant to shed its blood Tor
bad purpose than is the army
Il is by the use of the weapons OF un'
punished conspiracy that nearly every General
in the service has gained his grade. Any
nublic disorder at this time would be too apt
10 strengthen the hands of the dynasty, and
to injure the liberal cause.
But it cannot be denied that the King, III
dissolying the Cortes to prevent probable de-
feat of his Ministry, has committed one OF those
arbitrary acts which have so often preceded
and justified revolutions. There was no excuse
| for this performance. There was no prctense
| that the Cortes were not fairly chosen and
did not honestly enough represent the general
| opinion of the country. They were not elected
so long ago that their professions had become
| antiauated, and needed renewing before their
| constituents. There was no evidence that
new election would result in Congress more
| favorable to the Sagasta combination. I'D
| fact, the partial elections for the last few
| months all indicate the drift of public feeling
| to be the other way. In Government pre-
| tending to be constitutional, the Sagasta
| Ministry could do nothing but resign,
and the King could do nothing but ac-
| cent their resignation. But they nave
| chosen between them-Sagasta and the King
| to issue this challenge to the Congress and
the country; to dissolve and send home the
National Assembly; to rely upon their widely
ramified civil service to influence powerfully
the next elections and, at all events
to retain the reins of power in the hands
which now hold them for three months longer
For this apparently worthless object they
have deliberately periled the popularity
of the monarch, and perhaps the
very existence of the dynasty. 1t is reason
able enough that the young King should have
become insuffcrably bored by the constant
quarres and designations in his Cabinet, ana
should desire some assurance OF sincerity ana
duration in the members of any new govern
ment whom he may appoint. But he has
taken the wrong course to get permanent
and efficient Cabinet. If Ruiz Gorilla and his
friends had resumed the places from
which the intrigues OF Sagasta
and the Liberal Union drove them, 1t
is by no means sure that they could have
sustained themselves among the heterogeneous
elements of the Chamber. But it is clear that
no possible combination can exert such Infiu-
ence IN that body az radical min
istry composed of PrOgresistas and Democrats
and regarded in friendly sense by the he-
publicans. 1t is to be hoped that the intima-
lions of violence conveyed in our dispatches
are exaggerated. IL is hard to see what
advantage could now be gained by
any tumutuous' demonstrations. The Assembly
is dissolved, whether wisely or not. Sagasta
is in power, and, sustained by the King. defes
the majority. Until the new COrtes come to-
gether there seems to be no gain in the
deposition of Sagasta and the appointment
of any given successor. There would De
some advantage as having the control of the
| provinces during the elections, but this would
be counterbalanced by that deep dstrust of
| actual authority which is 80 strong everywhere.
and especially in Spain. The duty lying
before the opposition now is to devote
all their energies to electing a radical and
progressive Legislature. thus plucking the
flower of lasting peace and freedom from
the nettle of this SagastinO conspiracy.
|