New-York tribune., 1873-02-13
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.
SKETCH OF SENIOR CASTELAR,, THE FOREIGN
SECRETARY.

SKETCH OF SENIOR CASTELAR,, THE FOhEioN
SECRETARY.
Senor Don Emilio CASTELAR,, the Secretary for
Foreign Affairs is the brilliant orator and journalist
who has innexibly opposed the monarchy In Spain
He s his year. and his youth noted for the
republican ardor he displayed In the political movements
OF the time. The nsurrecton OF 1854 brought him INTO
greater prominence and intimate relations with the
leader Liberal movement He wrote at that time for
the ultra Liberal papers, and managing editor OF
the Tribune. Democratic organ. He contributed also
TO NJ. Rivero's paper, La Discussion. In 1854 he
founded q journal named La Denocractd, wherein
his political and social teachings invested with
mysticism which he has since renounced, and which
then lost him supporters 10 the Democratic ranks
He about this tme because OF hs liberal views de-
prved OF the professionally OF history and philosophy in
the University OF Madrid, which he had won In a com
pettive examination. In the uprising OF 1866 he was
one of the first at barrcades but abandoned by
the other insurgents who dissatisfied with his ad
yanced principles He condemned to death, by con
umacy for his share this revolt, but escaped across
the frontier to Switzerland, whence he repaired to
France.
When the great revolution Of September, 1865 began
CASTELAR, promptly reJntered Spain and with Orense
and Perrad the most ardent propagandis OF demo
cratic principles He gave all his strength to creating
popular opinion in favor Of republic, which he called
upon the Provincial Government to proclaim. He pro-
NOTED public demons rations against monarchy, and
thrilled Assem- bed multude3 by powerful eloquence.
He visited the provinces prior to the municipal elections
Of December 1862 and influenced popular feeling that
the Republicans carried all the great cities except
Madrid, causing CASTELAR, TO declare that the
republic was morally established" His party was,
however placed in minority the COrtes by the gem
elections OF February 1869, and devoyed on Cas-
tear and his devoted adnerens 10 assert the cause OF
republican liberty against the oyerw whelmng influence
of Prim SeauO, and other mOnarchsts. In the discus
sons on the framing Of the new Constitution he dis
played uuryaed eoquence and resisted at every step
the entertainments popular liberty which that
measure involved He opposed the Regency, which he
foresaw was about to lead TO monarchy, and also the
proposed selection OF Prince Leopold He dissen;cd
with equal vgor with tho majority IN the Cortes at the
election OF the eKing Amadeus, and throughout the
reign of that irch actively opposed to his Gov
ernment although willing support any liberal meas
ures which il might submit
CASTELAR, has f0r many years corresponded with
leading Journals in South America, and has since tho
early part of last year been OF the foreign
respondents Of THE TRIBUNE His letters 70 this Journal
and his great speech published in THE TRIBUNE OF the
ist inst have made tho American people familiar with
his views the leading questions of the day In BRIEF
may be said he ardent advocate OF universal liberty
a Jealous aboitonst, friend OF religious liberation,
and an ardent opponent OF any alliance between Church
and State. As regards Cuba, he holds that Spanish
authority must be maintained in that island, but is
willing to have a liberal, conciliatory policy pursued
which would place her people equality in civil
rights with those OF Spain.
Senor Figuieras has not played so brilliant part As
CASTELAR, in the revolutionary movement but has been
equally steadfast in supporting progressive measures.
lie enjoys in marked degree the confidence Of the
leading Republicans and displayed qualities Of states
manshp which give promise that he Will administer
the government of Spain wisely and successfully.
Don Fernando Cordoya, the Minister Of War, is vete
ran soldier. who fought in the against Napoleon.
and was afterward implicated in the revolt which
ODonnell provoked in lsn against Esparsero. He
CaptanGenera of Cuba 1851 and in 1884 supported
the Royal authority the revolutionary movement of
that year.
scGor Pi Marga Minister Of the Interior has been
an active supporter Of the Republican cause, and mem
Der Of the body charged with the promotion Of its in
tercsts at the capital He has acted in concert with
CASTELAR, in opposing the Monarchists, and has been
prominent member Of the Cortcs. The remaining men,
Ders of the Cabinet have been selected mainly on ac-
count OF their experience in administrative affairs not
from their prominence in the revolutionary movement