New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-02-20
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 90, 1873
The Spa nish Republic.


The establishment Of the Republic in Spain
j. an event which will be hailed with unmlt-
gated Joy by all lovers Of liberty throughout
the world. II is the completion o! the
work which was begun in 1865 by the gio-
rious revolution that put an end to the rule
Of the unworthy Bourbon dynasty, and, like
that revolution, the event has been unac-
compsnied by bloodshed or any disturbance
Of the peace. For years it was customary to
look on the Spaniards a. people that had
remained far behind other nations in their
march Of progress and improvement; vet, II
moderation and kindness after victory, re-
spect for law and order TO such an extent
that not one act Of violence has thus far been
reported, and the wonderful rapIdlty with
which new order Of things has been inau-
gurated, are taken as evidences OF hlgh
degree of true civilization, as they have ne
cessarily TO be taken, il must be conceded
that the Spaniards are far in advance oil their
neighbors the French, who, notwithstand-
ing the horrors Of the revolution of the Com
mune, and the still greater horrors perpe-
ia IT. Suppression, stu w.
Of being the most Civilized nation in the
world On the other side, it must he admit
ted that King Amadeus, in this emergency,
has behaved with a degree Of tact and dignity
highly creditable to him. When he dscoV-
cred that he had committed an error in ac-
ceptinp the Spanish throne, and found his
position untenable, he abdicated quietly and
voluntarily, rather than .ieopardze the tran
quillity Of the country by maintaining HIM
self against the majority OF the people. In
this respect his conduct contrasts favorably
with that Of Macmillan, who had TO pay with
his life for the attempt TO preserve his crown
through mere force and blOOdshed, as well
as with that of Isabella, who is still intrigu-
ing to win back that which is irretrievably
lost to her, and would not shrink from any
crime, would not hesitate to stir up civil war
ifpossible, for the sake of getting into power
again. so powerful is the progressive ten
dency Of the age, that even royalty can no
longer entirely resist its influence. If the
Spanish people-as has been reported-in-
tend to tender him the rights of citizenship,
it would be evidence that they fully appre-
Ciate his course.
As to the questA whether the Spanish
Republic will last, the auspices in our opin-
ion are as promising as possible. All the
measures proposed warrant the belief that
the distinguished men now at the helm of
the Government are fully imbued with the
principles which constitute the essence Of
Republican institutions. II is contemplated
10 separate the Church from the State, to
abolish capital punishment, and to grant AM
nesty to all political offenders. 1t would be
superfluous to point out the contrast between
these truly Republican measures and the
sham Of Republic now existing III
France, where the Catholic church is still
that of the State, and education accordingly
in the hands of lis priests; where penal col
onies and prisons are crowded with political
prisoners, and the air resOund5 with yolleys
fired at SatOry. 1t will further be remem-
bered how orderly and peaceable the people
showed themselves during the long interval
that elapsed between the deposition Of Isa-
bella and the election Of Amadeus, when
they proved quite competent to be their own
rulers. 1t is true that formidable complica
tons will arise from the intrigucs and con-
spiracies Of the numerous pretenders to the
Spanish throne, all OF whom will consider the
moment propiuous to push their claims.
There is Isabella and her son, Don Carlos
and his followers, Montpensier with a gang
of intriguers who Will resort to the most des-
perate efforts to kindle the flames Of dscord
and civil war; yet we trust in the inherent
power of Republicanism to Illustrate all such
attempts of creating mischief beyond that of
transient disturbances.
In Cuban affairs, too, a material change
will take place. Spanish pride and notions
Of honor-as might have been eNpected-will
not consent to abandon the island TO the Gu
hans, but from the spirit that the new Gov
eminent has thus far eyinced from the WELL
known principles Of the men of whom it is
composed, there can hardly be any doubt
that slavery will be promptly and thoroughly
abolished in all the d"minions of the Repub-
lie; that full representation and equal rights
will be rendered to the Inhabitants of the coll
onies, and it does by no means seem lmprob-
able that the Cubans shall Join hands with
the Spaniards as citizens Of one and the same
great Republic. Certain it is that the es-
adjustment of the Spanish Republic is an
event through which the cause of liberty and
equality everywhere III the world will be
more or less directly promoted, and as such
We bail it with our best wishes for its sta
tiiity and prosperity.