The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-07

ialse. But rumor has it that Mr.. CASTELAR, does
not think the President shows energy. Among
other things he complains that the army has not
peen organized; that discipline has not been
restored, and that efficient measures have not been
taken to repress the Carlists. The Secretary be-
lieves that Spain can do nothing without an army
and that energy, almost supernatural is needed 10
revive the dropping spirits OF the Republic. There
are stories that the Secretary does not
think enough has been done to repress the
extreme republicans. But this Is too i'm
probable to bear discussion AS to the army, the
impotence of Mr. Castelar, can well be understood.
But the army is subject that cannot be remedied
by decree. These republicans have all their SEN
sitiveness and apprehension about bodies of mill
tary men. An army Is needed to suppress the
Carlists. without an army they will surely march
to Madrid unopposed; every step they take adds to
their strength. One or two conspicuous victories
and the bourgeOse element, which wants peace ut
any price. and order, come whatever sacrifice, will
declare for them and shout "VsUG Carlos Vur' as
they shouted "VtUa la Republican, and "VtpG ANA
deOf" TO prevent this catastrophe an army Is
needed And yet, II q conspicuous captain comes
to the front and leads this army he may become
usurper-a king like Napoleon-or maker OF
kings. like John Prim.
CASTELAR,.
so the President Is said to be sorely troubled and
the Minister IL In an agony OF mind which one can
well understand, looking at his sensitive, poetic
face. "Ahl'' said q gossipper on the Acaia this
morning, "Castear Is not happy. He shuts himself
up in his chamber and has hours OF deep distress.
He wants an energetic policy. He cannot move
the President. Oh! he looks very haggard." L re-
peat this as gossip, amusing but, suspect, not
overture, because it Is the kind OF whispering
hears on the highways in Madrid. / saw MIR. Caste
lar an evening or two since, and had pleasant
talk with him about recognition and federal repub-
lcan theories, and he seemed bright and cheerful
enOugh-rather impatient because OF the lethargy
OF the great European Powers but neither bag
gard nor with the look of man given to hours OF
silent agony In the recesses OF his chamber. And
when fair maiden with face that we carry
away In the memory and cherish among the dreams
OF Spring days, sung an Andausian ballad in the
prettiest lispng patOis the great orator listened
and applauded like the rest OF the boys, who were
boys in very truth in the enjoyment OF the simple
chant. SO far as these eyes could see there was no
evidence Of that strife OF soul which all Madrid at
tributes to the young Minister and which is be-
lieved to be wearing his life away.
FIGUERAS.
Nor were there any traces OF any similar strife in
the manner Of President Figueras One who had
known him many years offered to take me to his
presence. We passed into the palace-a modest
palace, apparently not slarge as our White House
on the main street OF Madrid, and much resem-
bling the ordinary houses in the neighborhood,
with the exception that sentines guarded the
doorway. We passed up a wide, richly -tapestried
stairway and into long, or rather Oblong, ante
chamber. An attendant was writing numbers on
!. thin strip Of paper, and he handed us one as we
entered, marked As. Another attendant stood
..t,sk-.
called out The number OF the next in waiting, after
the manner OF fashionable Broadway bar
Der shop with an unusual press OF bust.
ness. We made interest, however, with some
OF the officials in waiting and were taken by
q side door, and without delay stood In the pres
ence OF the President OF the Spanish Republic.
MI. Figueras, who arose and embraced my CON-
panion in the Spanish fashion, is a tall, courtly.
attractive man, hair well on to gray, thick,
closely cropped black mustache with white tnts,
clear, lustrous eye, and an expression more
French than Spanish. The face showed expression,
intelligence, the lines more graceful than strong
and more amiable than resoute. One fan
cled he saw something OF the quality Of
Lincoln in the countenance OF the Spanish
President, but without that inexpressble look OF
sadness and WEAKNESS and yearning for rest which
made the bearing of the great President so painful
in his latter days. In conversation the Presi-
dent spoke cheerfuly of the condition OF affairs
He did not underrate their gravity, but had con.
idence in the patience, courage and resolution OF
the Spanish people. or the course OF America
towards Spain he spoke with unusual warmth, and
said it had created ties between the two nations
that could never be broken. There was nothing in
his manner to indicate the war that is said to rage
IN his Cabinet. What most impressed us was his
exquisite, high-bred courtesy. AS we left his
presence we felt that II his face showed less OF
Lincoln and more OF Stanton we should be more
hopeful OF the Republic.
ABOLITION OF CROSSES, DECORATIONS AND ORDERS
OF CHIvALRY.
This feeling can be better expressed however,
by reading another decree which Is Just printed.
While the Carlists are ravaging Catalonia, and the
country is waiting patiently for some energetic
movement, the Cabinet prints an elaborate decree
abollshng crosses and ribbons and orders Of chsv-
airy. In this paper the Cabinet says it w pending
the meeting OF the constituent Cortes, make no
changes in the laws, except where such changes
are properly the function OF the Executive power.
Born from a sovereign assembly and living in an.
ticipation OF the constituent Cortes, 1t cannot
radically change laws which have been made by
the Legislature. TO do that would be to violate
the fundamental principles or its own
existence. But the order OF chivalry-the
crosses and observation-disclosures from the Executive
power, from monarchs who gave these honors to
the immediate iatterers and supporters OF the
crown. Accordingly nothing is more proper than
that republic should hasten to destroy all orders
and insignia whose existence call to mind the ira.
ditions of the monarchy. Therefore the govern.
ment has resolved to decree the abolition of all
orders, decorations and institutions that are con.
trary to the spirit Of the Republic. 1t has been
nun sf nm w ribbons cta
minister to the vanity OF their recipients or
stimulate acts OF virtue and patriotism
This controversy, on account Of the arbi-
trary and profuse manner in which these
distinctions have been given by Spanish monarchs,
does not apply to Spain. Between the years 1888
and 1873 there have been created nearly forty
fhnnsand KNIGHTS of the Orders of Ianholla tho