The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-26
DISSOLUTION OF THE CORTEs.
MADRID, March "a, 1873.

MADRID, March "a, 1873
The Republic has passed through another phase
of its creation. Slavery has been abolished In
Porto Rico and the Cortes has dissolved. Spain is
now called upon to pronounce upon the work that
has been done, and to say in eecting constituent
Congress, whether she desires federal or unita-
rian republic, or whether she wishes new men to
control her destInies.
THE EFFORT TO DEFEAT EMANCIPATION
At two O'Clock this morning the Cortes which
proclaimed the Republic passed into history. For
a long time Its members had been discussing the
bill to abolish slavery in Porto Rico. The efforts
made to defeat the bill were described to you in
recent letter, in which dwelt upon the power
and progress of the Pro-Slavery League The
enemies of the Republic fomented opposition to
the bin for two reasons. If slavery were abolished
in Porto Rico 1t meant the downfall OF slavery in
Cuba and would injure their class. II it were not
abolished, then there weud be an angry feeling
among the republicans, who would feel that their
leaders, while in opposition, had made pledges they
dared not or could not redeem when in power As
Zorrilla when In power was in favor OF emancipa-
ton, and there were radicals enough to pass the
bill If ii came to vote, the only policy left to the
reactonists was to prevent vote. BY the rules
Of the Cortes no measure can be passed into law
unless majority OF the members efected-one- half
Plus oHe-aJtenu anu vote. IL was, there
1ore resolved to defeat emancipation and kin
dred measures by absentng themselves from the
Cortes, and preventing that majority that was
necessary to quorum Many members resigned.
Others quietly slipped home. Day after day the
benches showed simmer attendance. MANY
friends OF emancipation gave II up as hopeless.
The Cortes would crumble away into a helpless
minority, and, instead OF dlssolvng in
peaceful, legal decorous manner, IL would become
a mass OF ruins, leaving the government it had
made TO get on as best 1t could.
THE GOVERNMENT TAKES THE OFFENSIVE.
But the government made a rally. IL was neces-
sary 70 do two things; emancipation must be pro-
claimed, and the Cortes must dissolve legally. Cas-.
tear, who had been watching the debate. hoping
for the best and waiting for the opportune mo-
ment, at length, the day before yesterday, made q
great address, In this-a synopsis or report OF
which hope to send you, Tor such value as it may
have two OF three weeks after the result comes to
you by telegraph-the orator summed up the whole
question, and showed that Spain was committed to
emancipation as a condition precedent tc any
peace. There could be no reform in the Antilles no
hope OF the preservation OF the Spanish power in
the West Indies, unless emancipation began the
reforms which spain owed TO her rich and patient
and long-surering colonies. The address was
moderate, conciliatory, making every allowance
for the prejudices and interests OF the savehold.
ers, and showing that the passage OF this bill, or
measure embodying Its essential features was
necessary TO the honor and safety OF the country.
IL is not often that o speech makes
an impression deep and grave enough to
affect a Legislature, but after the words
or CASTELAR, it was clear that there would be a fight
on the slavery question; that the majority who had
made the Cabinet shouc support 1t at least In their
just and wise measures OF reform. The govern
ment resolved upon decisive plan Figueras had
returned from the provinces, representing the I'M
easy feeling OF all classes the prolonged state
OF inaction In the Assembly, and saying that IN.