, 1874-10-24

vocation of a Cortes and with any form of
constitutional sanction.
The refusal of Russia to concur in the re-
cognition of the Spanish Government appears
to have been deliberate and probably final.
The Emperor ALEXANDER seems to have re.
Cured to the policy of his father, who affected
to be the champion of legitimate monarchy in
every part of Europe. 1t was only under the
pressure of necessity that NICHOLAS recognized
Louis PHILIPPE in France and ISABELLA II.
in Spain. The Qaadruple Alliance of Eng
land, France, Spain, and Portugal was avowod-
ly intended to coQnteract the policy of the
Northern Courts, and especially of Russia. 1t
is conjectured, not without probability, that
one Of the objects Of the Emperor ALEXANDER
is to proclaim his independence by refusing
in a matter Of secondary Importance to follow
the lead of Germany. For this purpose it
would have been sufficient to withhold recog-
milton but, if hitherto un0ontradicted state
ment may be trusted, the EMPEROR has volun-
tariiy affixed a more general meaning to his
policy by addressing a letter to Don CARLOS
on the disadvantages of revolutionary change.
1t is perfectly true that strict adherence to the
principle of hereditary succession constitutes
the best security against disorder and civil
war but the lesson was scarcely needed by
the Spanish Pretender and it is too late for
the nation to profit by the benevolent ~counsels
Of Russia. The Spanish rule of succession
was altered nearly fifty years ago, and the
dynasty which was consequently placed upon
the throne is now in exile. The suggestion
that the Emperor ALEXANDER is neutral
between the rival Pretenders seems to be
tarfeSohed. 1t is true that Queen ISABELLA or
her son might sympathize with denunclatiOns
of revolutionary movements, and of Republics;
but in addressing a letter to Don CARLOS the
Emperor of RUSSIA will be generally supposed
to have acknowledged the validity of his
claims. If the Imperial throne of Russia we're
not beyond the range Of revolutions, a formal
censure waich would apply to all recent Euro
p3an changes might have seemed iniudici0us.
A dozen Italian and German princes have been
relegated into private life since the commence
ment of the Spanish troubles and Austria has
been excluded from the German Confederation.
Russia has acQliesced more or less cordially in
the results which have been attained, and there
Is some inconsistency in questioning the prin-
cipIes on which alone accomplished facts can
be justified.
The French Royalists and other opponents
of Marshal MACMAHoN's Government have
found in the Emperor AL~EXANDER's letter to
Don CARLOS an additional reason for disap-
proving of the recognition of SERRAN0 1t is
not surprising that any difference of policy be-
tween Germany and Russia should encourage
the hopes of dissatisfied French politicians but
the Importance both of the recognition and of
the Russian protest may be easily exaggerated.
One Of the strangest of recent political rumours
is the statement that the Grand Duke CoNsTAN-
TINE has been sent to France for the purpose of
procuring the elevation of the Dake of AUMALE
to the first place in the French Government.
1t is equally difficult to understand why Russia
should concern herself with the interests of the
ORLEANS Princes, and how the supposed scheme
could be furthered by the %ofioious Interference
of member of the Imperial Family of Russia.
1t is absurd to suppose that the Emperor ALEX
ANDER is contriving an alliance with France
and Spain against Germany although ingenl-
Gus spectators have devised a cause Of quar-
rel in the supposed designs of Prince BISMARCK
against the independence of Denmark. 1t may
be taken for granted that the Emperor ALEX
AMBER has made the condition of Spain serve
as a text for a political discourse simply be-
cause remoteness renders interference in Span
ish quarrels obviously impracticable. The
German Government resented by the reoognl-
ton of SERRANo an outrage committed by the
Carlists on a German officer but the hopes
and fears of Intervention in the Spanish quarrel
have already subsidized. Russia will give no
assistance to Don CARLOS. nor Germany to the
Government of Madrid. It is only because