New-York tribune., 1873-02-15
THE PRESIDENT OF SPAIN.

lne DTllllanl OldNOl dhu ihhNN'piN 'NNb"'ii
can Senior Castelar, Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the
new snansh administration. has contributed TO the
Brtish Forfni0Atiy Repiep the following interesting
sketch OF the Of Senior Don Estanisao Figuera
President OF the Council and such, acting President
Of the new Spanish Republic:
Among the principal artists Of language among the
most distinguished orators do honor to country
and Parliament all consider Don ESanislao Figue-
ras inspiration of his native land the glory of the
Republican party which Is indebted to him for the di
rection OF its campaign in the Constituent Cortes-a
unexamped for prudence and energy In our august
chamber Before analyzing the distinctive Character
istcs Of the speeches of Fgueras and OF his political
genius let us give biographical data in support of
the reputation which the Republican orator enjoys as
model Of consistency and dignity in his glorious career
Fgueras was born in beautiful and enlightened Bar
celona on the 18th Of November 1919. After having
studied humanites in the Escuela Pa OF that CITY,
in which be remained five years, he applied himself TO
philosophy, at Cervera, and soon aerward at Tara
gona He entered law student ia the universities
of Barcelona and Valencia terminating his education
in the month OF June, 1s42 Even While thus ensascu'
he made figure in politics, showing an eAtr"oIlf
nary ardOr IN the defense OF liberal prncpes III 1901
he was enrolled in the ranks Of the Progressst party
which then represented the most radical aspirations o
the youth Of his time. But his active temperament anu
his avdept devotion 70 all that just and noble, soon
separated him from political school which was as !et
unable to satisfy the natural exigencies OF reVoiu
tonary epoch In 1910 he joined the hepuDhcdh par W
being among the first who embraced their dea ID Spi
After the events Of 1s2 which eliminated IN the ooi
bardment OF Barcelona, he differed from the kepuDli-
cans in their appreciation of that incident About lhs
perod he Joined the editorial staff OF the CohSt'te0""1
in connection with Mata and RDot
When the famous coalition occurred which threw the
rens of power TO Gen. EsparerO in the names OF the
most Distinguished Liberals, he opposed that rising with
all his energy and foretod its fatal consequences After
the fall Of the Regent, and the acquisition OF power ny
the Moderate party. retired TO the town In when MS
mother resided iyisa, in the Province OF Iarrago""
continuing his relations with the Republicans Who' lu
is4s appointed him their Commissioner in Madrid TO
organize the movements then attempted by the Liberals
The revolution twice commenced ana twice OVerthro"u'
being crushed Figueras withdrew TO IaTragona Where
he established himself advocate III lS49 lie was
elected deputy in for tho First District of BARGE
Iona In that Cortes he formed Republican nucleus
with Orcnsc, LozanO, and Jaen.
HIS SHARE IN RECENT EVENTS.
In 1854. he became a member OF the Revolutionary
Junta Of Trragoua and deputy in the COrtes for the
same provinces. lie Of those one-and-twenty who
OIL the 3Cth of November, 1854, voted against the
monarchy. that period Madrid has been his fixed
place Of residence aud he exercises the profession
Of an advocate in which he has acquired enyia6le
notoriety being one the famous lawyers in that
city In 1862 he again elected deputy for the FIRST
District Of Barcelona and disputed With friend Don
Nicolas Maria Rvero the administration Of the liberal
Union then IN power The retreat of the two parties,
Progressst Republican being decided and the move
ment OF the 81 of January, 1866 being overthrown'
Figueras Withdrew for time from active and militant
politics nOtwithsandugthat he maintained his relations
with the most important men of ms party, and labored
increasingly although indirectly with his counsels for
the triumph OF the second revolutionary attempt which
occurred in June Of the same year. After
that abortve revolution. the consequences OF which
were so fatal for the Liberal party, be threw himself
resolutoly into the work OF conspiracy, which in
L., 1a prio1o oO n
Madrid In consequence of these abors he was arrested
on the 18th OF May 1857 by order Of Narvaez and i'm
prsoned the saladero, together with his friend Don
Nicolas Riyero There he remained two days, when
commissary police and two civil guards conducted
him TO Pampeluna. In q short time the Government
ordered him To fix his residence at Aosis. He was
doned in October year, when the revolution OF
Aragon and Cateuha being over, the Government had
nothing to apprehend subsequently, he was appointed
a member of the Revolutionary Junta, elected
Justice of tho peace for the Congressional District
and in the municipal elections, member Of the
Council for the District OF the Hospital In the elections
for the Constituent CSrtes he was presented as Ga1d
date in Barcelona, TOrtOsa, Vch, and Madrid In the
two first named places he was elected
GREATNESS OF HIS MORAL CHARACTER.
Being now acquainted with the biography OF Don Es
tanao Fgueras let proceed TO regard the intellect
ual qualities which greatly exat him. One of the
two great peculiaues Of friendPerhaps the most
remarkable-is his moral character Nobody. not even
his greatest enemy can doubt the rectude Of his mo
tiyes the nobility OF his soul, the integrity of his life
beneath exterior expressing the sweetness ana 90
cuty common to benevolent natures he coneeas an m
domiiabie energy which has enabled him TO
here in this land where we see so much
debility. much Inconsistency, only 10 De exPaalDe1
Figueraswant Of energy IN the character OF Waut o
preiudces Habits take strongly and remain with
the people, after institutions have expired unuer
whose influence they developed into existence ~ is
common error in Spain TO believe that mahgnlty ana
fosebood arr necessary elements political character
rr1,gs ha fr1e N
manner of intrigue mas s na. , ht fbe proceeG
fngs Of liberty the political acts or the people tne cha
acters Of trbuues, should be frank, loyal-n Word'
Tire tribune OF the people, like the Grecian athlete
goes forth naked TO the combat lie can eoncea nohng
and suppressed by the jewels the velvets and embroidery
with winch courtiers are 6edzened Inc hrst 9oay Od
prominent virtue in his character But 10 Ifankness
IN expression If TO fidelity IN the eaaraete m & ne 9ne S
can pursue them with their own arms, gathered IN the
same field Of battle, the tribune OF the people eeVaes @
himself Immensely, and Is formidable even under he
most disadvanageOus condition. such,, then, Is
Esanislao Figueras sincerity PERSONNEL nGety ny % com
gifted orators have shODe with sueh eAuaWunar!
splendOr 80, 49,,
tiles, though he necessarily have iaclle tongue
and lively imagination No; he must be judged by all
Ali contribute 10 the uster his eloquence Estanisao
Pigueras untes great external advantages His face
spc;spts syes G, 'H the fepose Of his attitude adds
Inajesty his action neither rapid nor measured, put
of his attitude The unalterable serenity,
the selfpossesson, the benevolent smile, which
forth daits Of bitterness, the perfect ealmness,
which fercbly contrasts with the excitement pro
duced upon his hearers by his elOquence-aH these
qualities make Fgueras one OF our greatest paria.
Ynentary orators and his struggles in our Parliament
me nTt 81 When HE sas BECOME boisterou
when difficulties threaten to oyerwhelm us, an eyes