The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-02
The Duture or the Spanish Republic
and Our Relations with Spain.

Chief OF the State rather than authorize the
infection of the death penalty, CASTELAR, took
the vacated place with the clearly announced
object of reconciing the army to the Repub-
lie. Yielding to tho demands of the army
officers he re-established strict military law.
and the sentence of death. which had
been abolished by the extreme republicans.
was again put on the military statutes
| If only the army would consent to serve the
Republic faithfully he was prepared to shower
honors and rewards upon its members. No
distinction in future was to be made on ac-
count of the political opinions or affiliations
of the officers; but Carlist Alfonsist and
republican were to form happy family under
the benevolent government Of CASTELAR,, and
the honor and glory of old Spain was to be
revived under the life giving influence of the
Republic. Such we're the dreams of the Span
ish orator, carried away into the regions of
fancy by fervid patriotism and On over rich
imagination.
There were not wanting cool headed friends
who saw what the issue of all this brilliant
promise would be. The monarchists in and
out of the army were only too willing to make
an alliance with the Republic which would en-
able them to sap its foundations and regain
their lost power. The first step necessary
was the re-establishment of the severe military
laws which would make the monarchical
officers masters of the lives of the republican
rank and file. They were powerless against the
popular government because the troops under
the relaxed discipline could not be made to
pronounce against the government at the will
of military conspirators. The true friends of
the Republic warned CASTELAR, against entrust-
ing o dangerous power into the hands of men
who were known and declared enemies to the
cause Of repubicanism. But the warning
went UNDECIDED CASTELAR, was resolved to
trust to the honor of the officers of the army,
and though no open act of treason has
been committed the result has scarcely an
swered his expectations. IF only he would
consent to the re-establishment of the old
severe military laws which had been abro-
gated by the republicans, the Alfonsist
officers promised that Carlsm would
SOON be suppressed All the power
the military chiefs sought has been granted to
them, and yet they have effected nothing. 1t
has been their aim from the beginning to
make the country feel that under the govern
ment Of CASTELAR, the suppression of the Carlist
war is impossible, and that to restore peace it
is necessary to call in military dictator To
! achieve this end the monarchists and the army
officers have worked to embarrass the govern
ment and discredit the Republic. They have
made sham war on Carlism and constant
untiring war on the Republic. Now they are
on the eve of reaping the results Of their
treacherous conspiracy by the overthrow Of
the man who trusted in their sense of honor
involve the death of the Republic, unless,
indeed, he should prove himself second
Theirs, which nobody knowing the man ex-
poets. This fact may be CLOSED over or dis
sembled for short time but as soon as the
monarchists have secured their hold on the
country even the name of republic will be
abandoned and tho restoration of the Bour-
bons proclaimed.
Serrano is well known as the leader of the
faction which aims to place the Prince Al
fonse on the throne. During the minority
of the Prince the control of the national affairs
would remain with the Marshal, who, as head
of the army, would be more absolutely master
of the situation than ever Prim or ODonnen
had been. The pretence that under Serrano's
government the Republic would be maintained
is simply put forth to lull the populace into
acceptance of the change until such time as
the monarchists will have assured their posi-
ton. The policy Of Serrano will not be al
Logged to depend upon his own whims or con-
victions. He is only the agent of the men who
are resolved to rule Spain for their own advan-
tage and according to their old despotic no.
TONS They call themselves by many names,
but they may be classed generally
as monarchists. with tendencies towards
q centralized military government. 1t was
fear of this faction that drove the intran-
sigentes of Cartagena, Cadiz Malaga and
Seville to arms, because they were resolved
not to return to the hateful Mameluke rule
under which they had writhed 80 long. The
danger these men foresaw of entrusting high
commands to generals who had been the sub
servient tools of despotic governments has
been justified by time. Those political
schemers in uniform have only proved dan
gerous to the government which trusted them.
Before enemies in arms, whether at Cartagena
or in Navarro, they have proved themselves the
merest bunglers and wholly unfit for the bust
ness of command But though unskilful
before an enemy, they can be treacherous to a
| friend.
The consequences Of the fall of CASTELAR, will
affect strongly the foreign relations OF Spain,
and our sapient diplomaes at Washington win
| find that the sacrifices Of national dignity they
have made in favor Of Castelars Republic have
! in reality been made for the benefit of mill
tary dictator. What will then become Of our
sympathy for the struggling Republic? In
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