The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-01-15
The New Government Of SPain-Pres.
ident SerranO.

Marshal Francisco Serrano, Duke de la
Tore, now President of the Spanish Re
public, was born at the close of the last
century, and acquired his military expert
ence in the warOf independence. Devoted
to the interests of the government, he as
sisted in bringing about the fall of Espar-
tero in 1S43. After the restoration of the
Queen mother, Serrano coalesced with Mar
vaez in the attempts of the latter to over
throw Olozaga Shortly after the marriage
of Queen Isabella, in 1S46, he acquired an
influence over the royal mind which occa-
stoned differences between the King Con-
sort and herself and caused some scandal.
The Ministry of the Duke dc Sotomayor,
which attempted to destroy his influence,
was overthrow by him, while that of M. de
Salamanca, which he supported, yielded to
the storm of public Indignation which as
sailed it. After this, Serrano turned liberal,
and Just before the accession to power of
NarVaez accepted the captaincy general of
Grenada. Having been implicated in a ris-
ing at Saragossa in 1854, he was exiled, but
returned during the. revolution of July in
that year and became an active supporter of
the O'Donnell and Espartero Cabinet. In the
rupture which followed between these two
he sided with the former, and having been
nominated Captain General Of New CASTLE
-an appointment which placed Madrid in
his power-in the coup GetGt of 1856, he
played into 0'DonnelPs hands, and in
that same year he was created Duke
de Ia Tore. In 1857 he was sent
as Ambassador to the Court of France,
and in 1859 he was appointed Di-
rector and Colonel General of Artillery, and
in June, 1866, Captain General of Madrid.
After witnessing many governmental,
even dynastic, changes Serrano's life was
endangered by revolution in May, 1873.
A correspondent gave at that time an inter
esting. account of Serrano's fight from Spain
in the following words
''After being huntsd from house to house
by the Infatuated and lawless crowd, his
own dwelling and those of his relatives and
more immediate friends being subjected to
rigorous search over and over again re-
peated, the Duke sought shelter under the
flag which has never yet refused TO protect
the weak against the strong. He besought
hiding place at the hands Of the English
Minister. Mr. Layard. Fearful of the pos
sibility of fresh outbreak or renewal Of
the violence of thetwenty-third and twenty
fourth of April, and, moreover, impelled
by the supposed existence of plot to assas-
sinate him. the friends Of the Duke urged
his departure from the country. Even the
government Joined in the urgency. But
how to get him away was the difficulty. His
handsome features and manly form were
known toe-ery man, woman and child in
the city. Il was felt necessary that all the
prominent ex-monarchists who were seeking
safety in fight should so disguised. Ser
ramos disRnise was 50 perfect that even
those who had helped 70 get Il up failed to
recognize him after he bed shaved Of his
handsome mustache, put on 2 pRir Of false
whiskers mature never gave him any,, and
attired himself in an old morning suit Of
Mr.. Layard's. including felt hat OF wide
awake. In the preparation Of his disguise
h. protested against the whiskcrs, and only
Yielded 81 the last moment. He, however,
threw thea OF the moment he started from
the station. ] Ess tleEp when be departed,
and must confess ] did pst know him,
though he brushed past meto eatcE tkc car
riage prepared Tor him. His appearance
was that Of an elderly English country gen
tIeman, returning from = days shooting.
u the same train, but at the other end Of
ID. wept MartOs, also in disguise. aeeompa-
MED br Fzhiic funciionary who shall be
namcless Serraae ~Rs accompanied by Mr..
and Ms. Layard."
Marshal Scrrano continued % 8c4lde
acsoss the spanish border il Francs, for
the most part. ever since his iisht--A J.
Hknlld