Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-02-26

ions. They were all monarchists, but
their opinions ragged from an almost re-
dictionary conservatism to an almost re-
publican liberalism. In forming his
ministry the King selected representa-
tives of all opinions in the royal party.
But there were also in the Cortes the
Carlists, the Isabella dynastic interest.
and the republicans. So long as the
monarchists were united they controlled
the Cortes. but with their separation
trouble began.
While Serrano was minister the repub-
hcans opposed the government, and
pushed their hostility so far that the
minister declared it to be virtually rev.
olutionary. But as universal suffrage
and the freedom of the press are secured
by the constitution. he said that such
opposition clearly did not represent the
nation, because it was not that of ma
jority, and consequently it was fractions.
CASTELAR, admitted, in reply, that the re-
publicans feared the purpose of the min
istry, but he stated that they would ac-
quiesce in monarchical ministry less pro-
nounced or more liberal Serrano there
upon resigned, and a more literally in
clined cabinet succeeded. That also
sank before new combinations and at
last Sagasta became Prime Minister.
But he, again, represented the reaction
airy element and the minority of the
Kings party, and upon that fact appear
ing in the Cortes, the King prorogued
it The Cortes again assembling, the
ministry was again defeated. The
ordinary constitutional course would
have been for the King to summon the
leaders of the majority. But they were
united in nothing but opposition to Sa-
gasta, and could not possibly act togeth-
er as a government. The King, there
fore, convinced that he had tried every
ministry in the existing Cortes, dissolved
that body and retained the Sagasta min
istry, which thus, in the English phrase,
appeared to the country.
The King has thus clung to the min
istry of the minority of his friends.
The elections are in April. The liberal
monarchists and the republicans are dis
posed to await the result at the polls,
but there is general fear that the Gov
ernment will tamper with the vote The
liberal monarchists are discouraged by
what seems to be the reactionary dispo-
sition of the King. If this discourage
ment should 60 so far as to throw them
into an alliance with the republicans
and after an election in which the coun
try had acquiesced there should be &
vote of want of confidence in the King
SO to speak, in the Cortes, those wht
know Armadeus well believe that ht
would resign his royalty and retire. If
however, there should be trouble before
the Cortes, assemblies, he would undoubt
edly meet force with force The leader
of the republicans and liberal monarch
lists in Spain are men of high character
and admirable accomplishments, anC
they have not the frenzied impatience 0
a French opposition, which always wish
es to encounter an adverse vote by bar
ricades. They understand the condi
tions of constitutional liberty. But the,
have to deal not only with each other
but with an ignorant people, priest
hood, the Carlists, and the party of tn
Queen. If the elections which are ap
pointed for April shall be PEACEFUL
held, and the result accepted by tn
country, the prospects of Spain will b
more hopeful than they have been 70
many years.