Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-03-03
The Rennhlican IND

the principal part of an extensive PENN
sula in Southwestern Europe. The
population is about twelve millions the
area 1890 square miles The COM
merce is limited, and chiefly with the
rebellious colonies in the West Indias.
The surface of the country is mountain,
Gus. Few plains, or lakes of any size
abound. The soil in the vallies is fertile,
but worn out and poor elsewhere, owing
to the dryness of the air, and to poor
tillage The exports of the country are
few, consisting Of wine, grain and meri-
no wool. In respect to industry and
wealth, Spain, which once had every
opportunity for becoming one of the
leading nations of Europe, is to-day the
poorest, and most uneultivated. Her
earliest inhabitants were Celts, hardy, |
warlike people, showing great love of
home. and great obstinacy in its defense.
The Carthagenians were the first civil
lied people that occupied Spain. They
founded colonies, worked silver mines,
and employed large numbers of the ma
tive Spaniards in their mercenary armies.
At length, during the Punic wars, Sag
untum was besieged and overcome by the
Romans, and eventually, all Spain came
under the Roman yoke. Through the
influence of the Caesars, she became CIV
ilized and peaceful, and was able to re-
sist the encroachments of the Goths long
after Rome had been overcome by them
but long and sanguinary contest prov
ed unavailing; and Gothic dynasty
was established in Spain, in the year
Alb. The Vandals, here as elsewhere,
strove to extirpate the native race, and
only among the mountains and distant
provinces, was a remnant saved. After
about three centuries, the Goths, in turn,
were conquered by the Arabs or Moores
from the North of Africa. They found
ed kingdom at Fez, and through seven
centuries kept up continual warfare
with their Spanish enemies. At length
the Moores were subdued and expelled,
along with large class of Jewish trad
ers, carrying with them nearly all the
skilled artizans and enterprising mer-
chants of the country, to the lasting in
jury of Spain. About the year 1874,
oil the petty kingdoms were merged into
one, under Ferdinand and Isabella. The
fortunate discovery of America by a
Spanish expedition, the conquests of Pc
ru and Mexico, the vast accumulations
of wealth which were wrested, from the
countries of America, and the exploits
of her navies and armies, made Spain
the most powerful nation of Europe
But her glory soon began to depart In
dolence and a degrading superstition
lCISHOu III uCI COuuCllS. IlcE dTIll6s
were overcome by the French, her prov
inces rebelled, her commerce went int
the hands of more Industrious nations
her Bourbon princes rclapsed into in
dolence, and Spain soon became littl,
else than dependency of France. Be
tween the year 1903 and 1922 the re
sistance made by the Spaniards to tn
Napoleonic power excited the admiration
of Europe; but the eagerness with whicl
the nation finally yielded to system 0
absolute despotic power, established b,
foreign interference, furnished its fai
name, and reduced it to a state of deg
relation and imbecility only equaled il
its own previous history. No nation i
Europe had more despotic government
than Spain, until the late dethronemen
of queen Isabella. Since then, the gov
eminent has become more liberal an
lenient to the masses. Up to the tim
of the death of the great statesman
Gen. Prim, his counsels were the rule {
the nation, although the young prime
Amadeus, son of Victor Emanuel. ba
been placed upon the throne. The reig
of Amadeus has been short, but mil
and generous. All the causes that lie
to his abdication arc unknown; but til
spirit of liberty which pervades til
masses of Europe, is working even
Spain; and the time has arrived whe
such men as Castelar, and Figueras wi
not submit to the rule of foreign prime
The republican form of governmel
which is being established, is founde
on principles of justice 1t declares
separation of Church and State, offe
amnesty to political offenders, and favo
a system of schools, but it is doubtfl
whether the nation is prepared to appr
ciate and maintain republic at presen
The people are tickle and jealous, ind
lent and ignorant. They have bee
either lords or servants, and have
ideas of equality among men. The
religion is Catholic. Taught by Il
edict of the Pope that 1.-THE Roman Cat
olic religion, being the sole worship
the Spanish nation, shall be maintaint
forever, and all instruction in school
colleges and seminaries shall be conforr
able to Catholic doctrines" they will
slow to admit any other religion or do
trines, and it will require years to bre;
down the prejudices and dispel the ign