Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-02-19
4Ualphman s. journal,
WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY 10, 1873.

] W EDN ESDA1, fEbht AM 10 100
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TERNs-s2,o0 per year. strictly in advances or $3.50
u not paid within three months.
A Throne without a King.
The reign Of Amadeus has come to a
peaceful end in Spain lie was tho ouly
elected king in Europe, aud it has been
found impossible to connect with him those
sentiments and associations of loyalty on
the part of the people, which are the sole
guarantee Of successful and permanent
reign. He did not represent the historical
idea nor the popular feeling. So his admin
istration terminates after about two years
by bis own act and without any proposed
tumult Spain went begging for king for
several years before Amadeus consented
to wear her imperial purple. Her throne
was not an object Of desire to the princes
Of Europe, even when a royal scion Of Italy
was induced to take it aud now that he
has abdicated it, it may as well be slowed
away among the relics Of the past, in some
one of her oil castles or cathcdrals Like
the throne of Scotland kept in one Of the
chapes Of Westminster Abbey, it will
henceforth stir no fever il the blood Of am
bilious princes, but will only quiet the rage
Of an antiquarian, or satisfy the thirst Of o
curiosity hunter.
1t is generally conceded that the late
king was an honest, intelligent and honora-
bic ruler. His personal character and his Of
fetal record are both without stain. He
commanded respect and confidence where
he inspired no feeling Of loyalty. No ira
ditious, no Inherited associations clustered
around him. He had no genius or COM
handing abilities to supply their place and
force his way into the veneration and love
Of the popular heart He had tact and
wisdom enough to see that an elective
throne must be upheld by the sympa-
thies Of the people, and when he found that
it was not, he at once honora5ly and wisely
quilted it,
How much the religious question had to
do with this result it is impossible to say.
Amadeus was no favorte Of the church,
He inherits his fathers political and religious
ideas, and is therefore subject to the same
kind of hostility. While it is not strong
enough, even in Spain, to make open oppo-
sition successful, it can work secretly and
paralyze aud neutralize, where it could
not destroy. Doubtless this has been the
cause of the religious opposition, and ul-
tramontare Jealousy has undermined, so
far as it could, those popular feelings which
alone can give vitality and power to an
elective sovereignty. 1t made the crown
which it could not put on the head Of one
of its own tools worthless bauble on the
head Of its foe.
Spain is now at sea again. The Cortes
almost unanimously has declared a republic.
10 the United States Senate aud House
hasty resolutions Of sympathy with the
new republic have been introduced To-
day there seems to be nothing formidable in
the way Of her trying the experiment Of
popular government. She has some able
and sagacious men in her counsels. The
failure of the monarchy, under apparently
the best conditions Of success, would seen
to encourage the hopes Of the rising re
public. But there are several factors o
successful popular government she does no
possess Her popular religion is opposed
to it. The influence of a numerous an,
astute priesthood will contend against it
The masses are uneducated in the frs
principles Of sef-goyernment The habit
of personal independence aud sell.contro
have never been fostered among the people
The leading statesmen Of Spain are divide,
in sentiment among themselves. The Car
lists will no more consent to a repubH
than to an elective monarchy, Cuba is
terrible drag on the nations resources, an
on her spirit
We are inclined. to think that any hopes @
a successful republic will prove Elusive
Spain must drift through wild seas an
deep rivers of blood before she will put o
the crown of popular sovereignty and free
dom. The wisdom to sustain her institl
tons is not yet her possession. The Ian
of a Philip the second, of Duke of Alyi
of Torquemada, needs more than bin
aspiration for freedom to make her capab
of freedom, We, of course, wish well
the nascent freedom Of the Spaniards. W
trust it may prevail over all its antagonist
but we confess that the past awakens moi
anxieties than itinspires hopes Of Spani.
Republic.