The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-02-13
The Rspublie OF spain.

Our dispatches inform us OF the estab-
lishment Of q republican form Of govern
ment in Spain. The King, Amadeus.
who was called to the Spanish throne
only two years ago. has found it a thorny
seat and has formally abdicated bis
powers. He has never been popular,
nor has he shown the genius necessary
&c ec:..o! .hs diversified elements and
conflicting interests Of the population.
The problem Of government. the ts.k Of
producing harmony and Of oonoiliating
or compelling acquiesoenoe to his rule.
and to the rule Of Law and order. were
beyond bis power to solve or achieve.
Hs VII nna able to comprehend or appre-
.oistethS new aspirations OF the Spanish
people. nor. on the other hand. was he
Arm enough to curb their e1cesses. His
position wss difficult, Gaa he was unequal
to it. A foreigner, with no hold on
the regards or affection of Spaniarde.
with France alongside recommending
and representing liberal ideas. chronic
troubles with Carlists at home and revo-
lutionists in Cuba. with the United
States ever and anon seeking to extend
its' .propagandism Of the abolition of
slavery in Cuba, we do not wonder at his
petplexity, nor at his efectual way Of
ridding himself OF it. For him it Was
wise, For the people of Spain, it may
open way to good government. to the
healing Of divisions, to the development
of neglected industries, aud may give at
last % stsrs.on that highway OF progress
and material advancement which marks
tho hegovernmentsand peoples Of onr time.
:SpSih, han been singularly backward in
-altftt great movements OF this stirring
age. She has clung to the old at the ex-
pense of the new. Having an estab-
lished religion, she has been jealous OF
the introduction of any form of dissent
from it. or of,any departure from q fixed
ceramonial.a She has frowned upon the
spirit of inquiry and Investigation in
politics and religion. Intelligent and
gifted rs her people are. education has
not been generally, diffased amongst
them; Expenditures have usually don
bled the revenues, 'and her debt is, we
suppose, between 5000, 100000 and
$500. 600. .000.
Few countries equal her in natural ad-
'vantages, in gold. silver. iron and lead
veins scanning her beautiful and romantic
mountains and plains; yet in commercial
enterprise, in'railroad building. in min
ing, in manufactures, in agriculture and
education, she Fingers far in the rear.
One of the Rrst countries of Europe to
develop the idea of popular rights, the
power Of her kings in early times was
correspondingly restricted. But she has
drunk in despotism like water. under
Ferdinand the Catholic, Charles ", (who
also abdfcated,) and the kings OF the
house of Bourbon nd Austria, and the
original, tendencies to recognition OF
something like popular rights we're effect
ually. checked. and broken. Often and
long The scene OF revolutions, the battle.
field Of invading armies, che he's become
tuo flCtlm VI CuIOulO uteeIotISs huu LII
her destitution and shiftless condition.
che hugs .her, -impotency and pride with
equal affection. Tried by troubles within
and without, shorn OF resources. con-
scious, perhaps, that she has Jagged too
far behind, she cuts the knot of her po.
litical difficulties BY fleeing to the oonve-
nient asylum Of republicanism. May
she find it hospitable, and may her
struggles now cease. In Senior CASTELAR,,
she has an accomplished scholar. who
thoroughly understands tho theory Of
republican government. whose studies
and writings and correspondence with
enlightened Americans have eminently
fitted him, if he be Otherwise qualified,
for this CRISIS. and for inaugurating the
career OF his country on a new and un.
tried field.
THE FRANK AND PosTAaE.-It was
stated that by the TERMS of the bill for
the abolition OF the ranking privilege.
as it passed Congress, the free exchange
- L. y