Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-10-16
SPANISH AFFAIRS.

orator, consented 10 try MS nanu III al
ranging and governing the disordered
factions and affairs of Spain, there were
many who predicted that his term OF
office would be brief, and that his great
popularity would soon be succeeded by
a universal unpopularity. These pre-
dctions were made because it was
claimed that CASTELAR, was deficient in
those qualities necessary to make fit
ting ruler and leader of the disorderly
elements, that were composing the
Cortes and different parties of Spain.
nodded and of too sentimental nature
to be placed in the first office of the
Spanish Republic. And yet these pre-
dctions have thus far proved false. de
has developed hitherto unknown
power, that has thus far constituted him
most competent and fitting chief
magistrate, and as successful in the
presidential chair as he was before q
most persuasive and influential man in
tire legislative chambers. He is of re-
publican tendencies in heart, soul and
body; his patriotism is unquestioned;
his abilities are of the highest
order; his influence is great,
and everything points to him as
the right man in the right place.
EIis ministry have succeeded very well
in securing the support of the Spanish
people, and in checking the Carlist and
other revolutionary movements. Ser
reno, Topete, and other conservatives,
have given CASTELAR, the weight of their
moral support, and be seems to have no
difficulty in finding the means where
with to prosecute the military campaign.
In the north, the Carlists are loosing
ground, Notwithstanding the inspiring
presence of the pretender They made
great effort to capture Tolosa, and
gathered around it to the number of 49,
900, but they have now all been dispers-
ed from that neighborhood. The OBJ
stinate defense of Alicante has destroy
ed the prestige of the terrible iron-clads
of which the rebels had got possession,
and the arrival of the republican feet at
Cartagena will probably soon wrest that
city from revolutionary hands. A few
weeks of vigorous fighting ought to
tranquilize the country.
What the future of Spain will be is a
problem that we will not attempt to
solve. We earnestly hope that CASTELAR,
and his ministry will instill into their
governmental and national transactions
a stability that will be lasting and not
easily interrupted or destroyed. Yet
Spain, like France, is composed of dis
orderly factions, and disrupted elements,
which are all planning and conspiring
against the present administration.
Some of the presentrepublican leaders are
men of great ability, and seem to appre-
ciate the situation, and yet there are
mountains of difficulties before them,
which they must cut their way through
or utterly destroy, before they can arrive
At that point where a permanent and
lasting peace can be guaranteed to them,
and prosperous state of public affairs
can exist
We do not expect that Spain can ever
attain to the height of glory she once
had, and can acquire the powerful infu-
ence she once welded in the worlds af-
fairs. No, the days OF her olden splen-
dor, renown and prestige can not return.
She has been for years too much under
the control of tyrannical church and
denomination she has consequently
fallen behind the world in the develop
ment of her natural resources, and in her
progress and advancement toward a
higher civilization OF course the ma
tural consequences of her long reign of
tyranny, resulted in the uprising of the
people in 1853, and the overthrow of
the aristocratic regime. The people
having thrown off the bonds of a mon
archical administration, and having OBJ
served the prosperity and progress of
the United States, clamored vociferous-
ly for a republic, and it was with pleas
ure we observed another star rising
above the horizon of European despot-
ism. And yet, there is cause for serious
doubts as to whether the present repub
lie in Spain can exist for any length of
time. The people have not received the
proper and necessary education and ex-
perience to render them prepared for
Republican polity. If they could have
first glided into a constitutional mon
archy, like Great Britain, and from
thence to republic, their chances for
success would have been better.
We can only hope that there is enough
wisdom and foresight among the ruling
aud influential minds. of Spain, to ap-
preciate and understand their difficulties,
and to overcome them all. We hope
that CASTELAR, will exhibit a wise states
manship, and will be able to control the
disorderly elements of Spain. We
earnestly hope and pray that the Re-
public of Spain may succeed, and that
the people, aroused to their necessities
and relieved from tyrannical govern
ment, may commence the work of de-
yeloping their rich resources, and of
instilling into their national customs and
la6ors spirit of enterprise. There is
vast field for labor in Spain There is
work ahead for her people. Her watch
word should be progress and enter
prise" Her educational, manufacturing
and railroad interests need Development.
Hence let us hope that the Spanish peo-
pie understand their situation and will
profit by their experiences.
THAT DEMOCRATIC snnyrSS