The New York herald., 1874-08-21

One-rourrn OF tine pcopIe nave an IDEA or even the
meaning OF the word. Whatever else Spain may
be- it is very evident she is not republican. IL
would be better perhaps, Tor her, il she were, but
II she don't want republic, and is not capable OF
governing herself with republic and don't even
know the meaning Of the WORD, IL Is simply useless
to attempt forcing republic upon her, for the
present at least.
THE ALPONsIsTs.
Now as to the chances OF Don Alfonso. 1t is
not many years since his mother, Queen Isabella,
ned from spain pursued by the well merited exc
crations OF the Spanish people OF all classes high
and low, rich and poor, and II hardly seems possi
BILE that they will have lar forgotten the vile
life she led or forgive the woes she brought upon
the country as to accept her iegitimate son as
their king. Ii is true that 1t Is the army ana not
the people that usually makes and unmakes kings
in Spain, but it was this same army that drove
out Don AfOnsO's mother. 1t scarcely seems
probable that 1t will bring back her son. There
Is undoubtedly an Alfonsist party in Spain, but 1t
can scarcely be more powerful now, out Of power,
than it was then with the whole machinery and
patronage and prestige OF government in Its pos
session. II 1t was not able to defend the mother
then 1t seems scarcely possible that 1t will be pow
erful enough to bring back the with such an
opponent as Don Carlos in the field.
1t is very true that II Marshal Serrano were to
oCVioiC iu idVOI vi DOu AuOuSo Tue army W1lRht
PROBABLY be brought over; but the very fact OF
Don Alfonso being the Marshal's reputed son puts
the Marshal IN somewhat delicate, not to say
equivocal position regarding him. And the fact
that SerranO has not yet done SO is strong pre-
sumptive proof that he dare not.
foreign prince has been tried, and 1t is only
too evident that the Spaniards will not accept
stranger. A republic they know nothing about
and Will not have. Who else, then, but Don Car.
los, the male representative or the old line OF
kings, the lineal descendant OF Ferdinand and
Isabella, can succeed to the vacant Spanish
throne This would seem the only issue, the
only possible solution OF the Spanish difIlcuity.
WHO is DON cARLos2
1t may not now be without interest to take q
retrospective glance at spanish history in order
to understand the Carlst difficulty and see how it
happens that the heir OF Ferdinand and Isabella
comes to be fighting in the mountains OF Navarro
for ns crown and his throne.
According to the old Spanish law regulating the
order OF inheritance to the crown no woman
could ascend the throne except on the failure OF
every male representative OF the royal line. Thus
when Ferdinand, the old King father OF the pres
ent ex-Queen Isabella died without a son, the
crown devolved by right to Don Carlos, the Kings
eldest brother. But Queen Christina, Isabella's
mother not having any son, determined to change
and get her daughter seated upon the throne. She
therefore persuaded the King, on his deathbed, to
sign will setting aside the law and concerning
the crown upon his daughter, and, hay
ing previously brought over the Cortes to
her views, got q law passed legalizing the
document; so that before Don Carlos knew
what was going on Isabella was crowned Queen
of Spain. The old Carlist war was the result-a
war which lasted seven years and which was
only crushed at last by the interventi of Eng
land. The present Don Carlos is the grandson of
the old Don Carlos, his father, who is still living
having abdicated in his favor. From the date of
the advent Of Queen Isabella to the throne Spain
has scarcely had day OF prosperity or repose.
First was the Carlist war, which, lasting seven
years, completely impoverished the country, de-
stroyed its credit and ruined its finances. Before
it had recovered from these losses the scandalous
life of Queen Isabella and the utter tncapacty
OF her government caused her to be driven
from the throne amid the hootings of the
eXasperated pOpulace. Then came the HOhenzol-
lern candidature, the Franco Prussan war, the
advent Of King Amadeus, the assassina ation OF
General Prim, the abdicatIon of Amadeus, the
Carthagena insurrection and the present Carlist
war. And all this because cunning old woman
happened to have daughter instead Of q son. II
any argument were required against the principle
might furnish it, But does it not look as though
Spain's only hope OF peace and tranquility nay In
returning to her old line of kings as represented
by Don Carlos Since they win not have a re.
public, and would not know what to do with It il
they had 1t, it does not seem as though any other
solution were possible | believe that if plebis-
cite were taken to-day, freely and fairly, Don Car
los would be proclaimed King by an overwhelming
majority.
WHAT WILL DON CARLOS DO2
1t may wen be asked, What VIII be the result of his
advent to the throne =? What will be the effect on
the affairs Of Europe and the relations OF Church
and state? What will be his attitude toward
Italy and the Papacy? viii he undertake war
for the restoration OF the temporal power What
sort Of government viii he give Spain These are
some OF the questions that naturally occur when
the probability OF Don Carlos coming to the throne
Is foresceD. do not pretend to answer all these
questions but hope to soon lay before the readers
OF the HERALD Don Carlos own answer to them
think can safely say, however, that q good
many people will be very greatly disappointed.
But Bismarck and the ultra Catholics hope for
crusade against Italy for the restoration OF the
temporal power OF the Pope-the Catholics be-
cause they are mad enough TO believe that such
crusade would succeed, Bismarck because he
knows 1t would not-and both will be disappointed
Non-intervention Will be much the motto of
Don Carlos as 1t is Of the United states. He has
absolutely not the slightest intention OF declaring
war against Italy.
AS to the kind of government he win give Spain,
it is very certain 1t viii not he constitutional
monarchy. Indeed. King Amadeus, with the best
Of intentions, proved that such thing Us govern.
ing with Cortes Is utterly and hopelessly lmpos-
sibie, and Don Carlos does not propose to attempt
it. What sort of government it will be remains to
be seen; but that 1t will be all honest, strong
government, and one wholly adapted to Spanish
needs and the spirit of the Spanish nation, |
have not the slightest doubt. The nations of Eu-
rope, instead OF fearing the advent OF Don Carlos
should rather welcome him as the only man who
can give peace and prosperity TO the country,
who can restore the finances to a healthy state,
pay the interest on the national debt and open up