The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-04-26
THE PRESS.
FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL s6, 1879.


mechanically Western editor has written
,,o,o,,hlat wherein he describes the events of
t.Tha BLACK and Terrible Year." 1871. 1t
mas bad enough, to be sure, with its wars,
earthquakes, floods, droughts and hurricanes;
Int the worst of it is the year 1872 does not
at present promise to be much better than its
predecessor.
The troubles of the present year are for the
most part political. 1t is curious to observe
how widespread these difficulties are. 80 Tar
as America is concerned the renewal ol our
controversy with Great Britain is depiora-
BILE event which may ripen into war; The
tendency of a Presidential election always
brings with it a few months OF anxiety, II not
of positive danger. Such immense forces are
at work and such tremendous interests are at
stake that it is wonder of wonders that all
goes on SO peacefully and safely. But doubt
less both the Alabama difficulty and the Pres-
idential election will cease to occasion ankle
ty sin ninety days." for by that time both
will probably have passed beyond the point OF
serious controversy.
In Mexico affairs are in uncommon disor-
der even for that country. The present revo-
lutionary movement seems to have more vi
tally than any other with which Juarez has
ever had to contend. What the exact situa-
ton is, or what the final result will be, it
must puzzle even angelic intelligences to pre-
dict. If the reports are favorable to the gov
eminent one day, the rebels appear on the
next to be marching triumphantly in every
direction. The preponderance of Dragging,
however, has recently been somewhat on the
side of Juarez.
And Cuba! 1t is enough to make one heart
sick to think of the continuance of the strug-
gle between the patriots and the Spanish
myrmicdons after almost four years have
elapsed since the beginning of the conflict. 1t
is no longer Spain that really bears sway in
the unhappy island, but the dreaded .Volun-
teers" who make and unmake Captains-Gen-
eral, and who defy alike the behests of the
home government and the moral sentiment
Of the civilized world. They are now disgust
ed with Valmaseda, the Spanish viceroy, on
account of his moderation. They will pres
emily, no doubt, send him back to Spain
where they sent his predecessors. Mean
while the revolutionists seem to be gaining
some important advantages, and are reported
to have inflicted quite recently serious blow
on Valmasedas forces.
Ofwhat avail is it to speak of the ceaseless
agitation, the regular and normal state of
revolution in ,Hayti, San Domingo and the
Central and Southern American States
Hume said of the wars of the Saxon Hep
tarchy that they were of no more Importance
or int rest to the modern reader than the bat,
ties of kites and crows. The same may be
said Of the proceedings of our Southern
neighbors who amuse themselves by playing
at government.
And iDEurope the situation is not much
brighter. The Alabama controversy excites
more anxiety in England than it does here.
At the same time there is Cabinet crisis,
the Gladstone government being in danger of
defeat on some minor measures of policy
that one would not expect to drive from pow
er Cabinet that has wrought such benefi-
cent changes in the British constitution. In
Spain poor little King Amadeus finds the crown
burden already. The Carlist disturbances
are very serious, the partisans of Don Carlos
having already put large army in the field. \
The prospect of renewed civil war in Spain
is excellent. In France King Theirs, who,
by singular affectation, is called President
Theirs, continues to manage the Republic
very much as the first Napoleon managed the
Empire. He is in a chronic state of threat
ening to resign and in perpetual quarrel
with 'those brutes who call themselves Prus-
sians," as Wendell Phillips said in his Boston
lecture the other night. The only thing in
France that goes on with any approach to
regularity and system is the trial and convic-
ton of the Communists. =.
This is not half of the bad side of the story,
but it is enough. To tell the other side,
which is very bright one, does not accord
with our present purpose which is to point
once more the trite moral that a very large
part of the evils from which men suffer are
selfinficted. All the human suffering occa-
stoned by unavoidable calamities, like the
great disturbances of nature, since the begin
ming of the present century are probably
much less than that arising from the wars of
a single year
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS isn't the first
able man who has destroyed himself politi-
sally by writing letter. One can't help sus-
pecting that that deep fellow, David A. Wells,
drew him out on purpose to put him out of
the way, hoping that some candidate more in
accord with his notions of political economy
might be nominated instead. Was anything
might say incoherent-than the letterin ques-
ton? The writer will and he will not; he
doesn't want to, but will if urged strongly
enough; the declaration of principles COM
mends itself his judgment, but doesn't amount
to anything; no one is authorized to do orsay
anything for him, but in singular and very
obscure contingency Mr.. Wells is ''to be SO
kind as to draw him out of that crowd"
Finally, Mr.. Adams plumes himself so much
on his independence and high tone that he
that he will not accept any nomi-
nation rendered him unless the members ap-
proach him on their knees and beg him to do |
so.
THE agitation in the matter of Prevention
OF Cruelty to Animals developes an unexpec-
teddy lively interest in the subject among all
classes of our citizens. Almost everybody
knows of some grievance which it will be the
province of this society to remedy. Already
a Fair for next fall is beginning to be talked
about to raise the money necessary to make
the Society as efficient as its friends wish.
A large attendance at the meeting this eve
ming at the Council Chamber is desirable. |
Everybody, whether signer to the call or not,