New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-05
ALFONSO XII.

There is nothing to Obstruct the quiet pas
sage of Don Alfonso into his kingdom. The
Marquis of Molins, with q deputation OF
erandees and politicians, has started for Mar
settles to bring him to Spain by way OF
Barcelona and Valencia. He will review the
army of Martinez Campos, and possibly reward
that patriotic warrior with new title Tor his
timely pronunciamiento. He will then go on
to Madrid and will be received by that NUM-
clpality with demonstrative and genuine en-
thusiasm. 1t is city of loyal men. Most OF
them get their living, in one way or another,
from the Government, and practice has MADE
them very expert in changing their politics TO
suit any situation. They were satisfied with
the Queen until Novaliches lost the bridge
at Acolea. They welcomed Prim, Serrano
and Topete as liberators. They received
Amadeus coming and sped him departing
with equal spirit and enthusiasm. They
were content with each of the half-dozen
Presidents who succeeded each other 10 1873,
and when Serrano and Pava garroted the
RepuLlic, they made no objection. When Don
Alfonso comes back, the population which
souandered its chalk in writing "Down with
"the Bourbons" on every dead wall in 1868, and
which cheered with frenzy when Prim an
nounced that the hated dynasty should
"never, never, never" be restored, will stint
itself in its daily beans and cigarettes, to
burn candles in its windows and hang Its
doorways with flags to welcome back the
representative of the shabbiest royal family
in the world. The time since 1853 is so short
that most of the men who made that great
revolution are still in active political life.
Prm is in his grave but SerranO and ToDete
will meet the son Of Isabel the Second with
loyalty mistaken by the temporary unpeas-
antness; and most Of the men who fought by
their side, and most of those who formed the
new constitution, will assist in consolidating
the power of Don Alfonso, whose presence in
Spain is their disgrace and condemnation.
About the consolidation of his power there
need not be any doubt. His government has
as good a chance of lasting as any govern
ment can have in Spain. 1t has this decided
advantage over Republican system, and over
q serious monarchy such as Amadeus OF Savoy
hoped to found, that it rests on nothing but
name, and gives free play to revolutions. All
parties, for the present, are interested In put
ting the young Prince ON the throne, and then
fighting for his possession. lie says, IN the
priggish little phrases which princes are taught
to speak to Populations, that he IS not to be
king of party but of all Spain. This is true,
in the sense that he proposes to remain king,
and to allow all parties to amuse themselves
by cutting each others Threats as merrily as
they please, so long as they do not IN
terfere with him. The recent traditions OF
his family all favor this view of the
monarchical function. His mother was never
injured by the successive rebellions, mutinles,
and conspiracies which made and destroyed
her cabinets, and might possibly have been
to-day upon the throne, had she not been so
infatuated with Marfori and Gonzalez Bravo as
TO exile her old paramour SerranO and her
own sister the Duchess Of Montponsier. When
that had been done there was no resource left
TO them and their adherents but to attack the
DYNASTY. Ii her son avoids such glazing errors
as these he may remain for good while King
of Spain, and see twenty revolutions rise and
fall without losing his throne. His danger
will be in taking sides If he restricts him
self to the part of a constitutional monarch,
and allows all parties to fight out their own
ouarrels and rob the treasury in equitable rota
ton, he will be reasonably safe until another
great upheaval comes.
tt is reported that many of the leading liberal
politicians have offered their support to the new
monarchy. There is no reason why they
should not. If they do not choose to be exes
or outlaws they have no other choice. 1t is
true that the King comes in by conspiracy,
but there is no other way by which a mon
archy can now be established. His authority
is no more irregular or illegal than that of
Serrano has been for tho last year. and with
out considering its origin, it is the only
authority now existing in Spain. Those who
do not recognize it recognize no law whatever.
Besides, the events of the last six years must
have shown that in the present state of morals
among the Spanish army and Spanish poll
ticians, there is no immediate prospect of any
government except one founded upon the
ambition and the avarice of Ofiice-seekers. 1t
is sometimes foolishly said that the Span
iards require q strong government. The truth
is that strong government seems at present
impossible in the peninsula. No government
can be strong which is liable any day to be
overturned by conspiracy of jealous soldiers
and selfish politicians. The restoration of
King Alfonso gives to Spain just such rule
as this He serves as symbol of authority
under which the stealing and the fighting may
be done without interruption. When the
grandees the other day made their address to
him, which heralded the coup of tho army.
they prayed that he Knight become Prince
"wOrthy of the name he bore, the century in
(Which he lived, and the country in which he
"was born" The pious aspiration is in fair
way to be answered. If training is good for
anything, he will be rs accomplished repro
bate as any of his race. He will be worthy
associate of the frauds who have made this