The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-27

AnadeuS Coup Against the Spanish
Cortes-LegisIasive and Citizen Indigsa.
tien-synptoms Of Revelation In Ma.
drid.
HERALD special telegram, dated in Ma
drid yesterday and published in our columns
this morning, supplies news of a most serious
character from Spain. The capital of that
country appeared to be on the verge of revo-
luton in consequence of the royal coup,
which was accomplished against the indie
pendence of the Cortes by the sudden promul-
cation Of the decree of dissolution of the Par
lament King Amadeus placed himself at
direct issue with very large number
of great majority, it would appear,
of the Legislators by this exercise of the prero-
gative Of the Throne. Even more, it looks as
If the Grown has been brought into contempt
before the people. A scene of tumult pre-
vailed in the Senate just previous to the recep-
ton of the Kings mssive. Speeches, violent
in tone and emphatic in denunoiation of any
act which would cause cessation of the func-
tons and privileges of the Parliament, were
freely delivered. Seiior Arbuzuga asserted that
'King Amadeus had betrayed the country,
and that nothing was left for the safety of the
people but barbados in the Streets" The
citizen tone which prevailed outside
sympathized with the representative de-
claration. Public sentiment was in unison
with the opinion of the Cortes, so that when
the throne Message declared the Assembly dis
solved indignation took the place of surprise,
and the feeling Of opposition became univer-
sal. 1t was evidenced inside the hall
and in the streets. The King relied
on his authority-had faith ia the solemn
JUNCTION by which the Divine Right was ac-
corded to him by the Spaniards. He refused
to accept the Cabinet resignation rendered by
Sagasta, but resolved to dispense with
the Parliament. The military were placed
under arms and kept ready to meet
any emergency which may arise. An
opportunity for the testing of their fidelity ap-
peared to be near at hand, for the HERALD
special telegram correspondence concludes
with the statement that intense excitement
prevailed in the Spanish capital yesterday
evening, and that the ''breaking out Of actual
trouble was feared" This foreshadows the
probability of the occurrence Of positive con-
flict between the people of Madrid, supported
by the Cortes, and the constituted authorities
of Spain.
King Amadeus is thus placed in very I'M
fortunate position. His subjects are almost
equally unhappy in their political demoraliza-
ton. The King enjoys nerve and personal
''pluck," without doubt. If he lacked these
qualities he would not sit on the throne of
Spain to-day. He is true son of the House
Of Savoy, and evidently inherits q consider
able amount of the courage of bis ancestor of
the Hardhead as well as of the caution Of
him of the Hundred Eyes. But what
does it avail himp His more prudent course
would be to abdicate. to untwine the ''garland
of olive" from his brow, to bid farewell to the
Spaniards and to seek the consultations Of
Rome. 'Poor Spain" has not recovered from
the effects Of the bruises which she received
when her soil was made the battle field Of the
mighty armies of France and Great Britain.
The glories of Talavera, of Barossa and Of
Albuera brought nothing of substantial
benefit to her people. They have in
herited only themes for political discus
sion and nursed political rivalries This
has been done to such an extent in the strife
for party power &at the chicanery of mere
party politics has been reduced to science
which is almost common to Spaniards, which
dulls their sense of patriotism and blinds them
against the light which should illumine their
citizen path towards national regeneration
Should King Amadeus be able to tide over
this present difficulty his government will go
on, no doubt, during the period of the
very heightened vacation of Parliament
under his favorte plan of executive
Capitalization of authority. Then we
shall have news of the occurrence of
another ''criss" in Madrid, and again of
another, and another, and SO on to the ex-
treme point, at which the Spanish people must
either undertake to rule themselves as demo-
Gratis or fall under the sway of foreign
Power which will be strong enough to ex-
tinguish every spark Of European confagra-
ton which may be still smoulderiug on the
Iberian peninsula.