The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-02-17
TERMS $500 PER ANNUM IN ADVANCE.
The Republican Leaders In Spain.

Estanislao Figueras, Chief of the new
Cabinet in Spain, is sincere Republican, a
sagacious politician, and an accomplished and
eloquent statesman. Not even castelar, hin-
SELF therefore, is better qualified to direct the
Spanish nation in its new course. figueras
Joined the Republican party more than thirty
years ago, before he came OF age, and ne has
since continued steadfast in his faith. In
Ao4Z or io43, he was attached to the editorial
stan OF the Constitutional: in 1S4S. he was
appointed Republican Commissioner in Mad
rld In 1904, he was elected 10 the Corfes as
Deputy ior iarragona, and was one of the
small minority Of twenty-one Nho voted
against the Monarchy in November of that
year. In May, 1857, he was arrested by order
OF Narvaez, but was pardoaed in the follow
ing October, and was subsequently Reelected
to the Cortes. One of his earliest co lahorer.
and warmest friends was Castela., who has
described him, in characteristic phrase. AZ
sincerity personifed, fidelity complete,
ability unrivalled in that Chamber where SO
MANY gifted orators have shone with such ex-
traordinary splendor." The sudden turn of
events in Spain has placed Figueras at the
head of the Provisional Government, and II Ia
not improbable that the choice of the Cortes
and the people will fall upon him for ths
Presidency of the new Republic. Ha5ia
CASTELAR,, who has written of the Spanish
Republic that it has been "conque: ed to-day
only to reappear more vigorous Tomorrow"
assumes the portfolio of the Ministry Of For
eien Affairs. an Office for which he is admira-
bly adapted by the force of his character, his
experience in public affairs, and his devotion
to the Republican idea. What has occurred
in Spain, he has himself foreto,d, with that
clear insight which is akin to the gift OF
prophecy. The place which he occupies in
the new Cabinet IS the one best fitted to his
peculiar qualifications. He is widely known
as an eloquent speaker, brilliant writer, and
careful student; but, above and beyond all
these, he is a sagacious judge Of the charac-
ters and motives Of men, a jealous patriot,
and thorough Republican. He win ftly
represent the Republic in its dealings with
other nations. 4,.- -t.-.. .-.-s-sy e,..-
Other eminent men are Joined with Figue-
ras and CASTELAR, in the organization Of the
new Observation-Disclosures who resumes the
pest of Finance Minister Cordoba, who Is Min
ister of War; Beranger, who returns to the
Ministry of Marine; Margall, the Salmerons,
and Becerra, all trusty Republicans. and expe-
rienced in statecraft. The Republic begins
well and the people are in placid mood, which
gives good promise for the stability of the new
order tf affairs. But there is risk from the
Carlst outbreak, risk from the Cuban insur-
rection, 1isk from the general chaos into
which bad rulers have cast the nation and
| the highest qualities of craftsmanship will be
needed to lift Spain from the depths into
which she has fallen. Two Republics exist
| ing side by side, divided only by the Pyrenees,
now challenge the stndy of the world. s