New-York tribune., 1873-07-23
prrpRRN THO FLRES.

opment in the varied drama of Spanish revo-
luton, may experience some disappointment
but little surprise at the news we publish this
morning, of its latest phase. Nothing so dis
astrous to the cause of liberty and democracy
in Spain has taken place since the outbreak
of September almost five years ago. The de-
feats in the Cortes, the instructions and
slaughters in the open field which took place
under the Regency, and under the
Sandman monarchy, were in no sense
fatal to the Republican cause. Even
the temporary successes OF the Carlists,
their devastation of the northern provinces,
their importation of their Carnival King, and
their insolent reliance upon foreign support
all these events were not enough to dlscour-
age the stout-hearted and sincere Republicans
who remained in charge of the Government
at Madrid. With reasonable degree OF pa
tience and unity all these could nave Deeh
outlyed without danger. But the federal IN
surrections in different cities DetoKened
deep-seated malady which, II 1t IN
creased, must sooner or later destroy the
Republic as at present organized. NO one
recognized this fact more promptly than Estan-
;slao Ficueras, who more than any one else
renresented the brain of the Republican move
,nent He gave no sign of diScouragement or
i,nnatience until the mutiny of Velarde's
troons and the riots at Malaga had convinced
him of the want of loyalty which existed IN
the army and in the populations OF the cities
He at once concluded, perhaps too hastily, that
no could do nothing effectual to stem this
commencement, and laid down without delay
his presidency of the national government
and his leadership in the Republican party.
Pi v Margall. after sincere and energetic
ofrort IN overcome the same disastrous tenden
cies. finally lost the confidence OF the Cortes,
and gave way to Senior Salmeron, man OF
equal honesty and zeal, and it was thought Oh
even more vigorous character. HIS accession
to Office is signalized by two disasters of the
Crayest nature The Carlists succeeded IN
taking and destroying the town of lgualada,
and the Federalists Of Cartagena, already IN
full possession of their city, by manning the
forts commanding the harbor compelled the
surrender of the three magnificent IRON
clad men-of-war lying there, together with
several other vessels of less rank. This seems
almost incredible, and would have been I'M
possible if it had not been for a secret sym
pathy with the insurgents on board the YES
sells. When Admiral TOpete resolved upon his
pronunciamientO in the Bay of Cadlz, he dld
not at first communicate his purpose to any
one outside of the flagship Zaragoza. But the
moment the band struck mp, on her deck, the
HYMN of Riego, the revolutionary cOntagion
spread through the fleet, and nearly every
vessel pronounced also to the cry caught up
from the Admiral, EspaHa con HOnra! A few
\ l,t hV
the flagship coming alongside and opening her
ports. The insurgents at Cartagena enjoyed
the same easy vicsOry-by which the most
important naval station in Spain fell into
their hands, When, few months ago, sim
liar insurrection burst ont in the Navy-Yard
at Ferrol, the attempt seemed so fagitious and
so absurd that people wasted little sympathy
in regard TO it, and the Government promptly
suppressed it. 1t reads like an epigram now,
the dispatch announcing that the hare-brained
enthusiast who started that emeute is also the
hero of this enormous and disastrous coup-de
main.
AS soon as the harbOr of Cartagena was thus
assured, the insurgents made a prompt use of
their newly acquired resources by taking the
iron-clad Vittoria, and sailing away to reduce
first attacked Alicante which instantly sur
rendered. They trusted too implicitly to this
facile success, however, for the moment they
sailed away the city resumed its allegiance,
until it shall be captured by another iron
clad. This cruise of tho VittOria irresistibly
suggests that historic trip of Marshal
Prm, who after the pronunciamiento of
Cadz went along the coast, reducing
q province every day, while Serrano was
marching northward to destroy the throne of
Isabella H. at the Bridge of Alcolea. The
present lawless raid seems like parody Of
that former .cne. The Government at once
issued decree Gencuncing these wandering
rebels as pirates, and handing them over to
be dealt with as such by the human race
which will probably not take any share in
their pursuit or capture. AS final touch Of
the grotesque, it is stated that an English In
ternatiOnal named Price commands ono Of
these superb prizes.
If this were q mere isolated incident of
revolutionary madness and blind luck, it
would not be so serious. But there are several
other facts which go to show that the unwhole-
some condition of things is very extensive
The Iberian Regiment, which was sent against
the insurgents at Cartagena, revolted in q
body and joined them. Generals Contreras
and Pierrod two leading names among the
army Republicans, have been cashiered, which
of course means that they have joined the in
surgents. And not less significant indca-
ton of the spirit of the time, is that the
minority are about to retire in mass from
the Cortes. The Carlists will of course re-
double their activity in the North now that the
Republicans of the South are at the throat of
the Republic. The rage of radcalism is doing
the work of monarchical reaction, Just as it