The New York herald., 1875-07-14
The situation in spain.

is becoming critical and that the
most important events may be antici-
pated. Dsraei once said, in his half
mystical rhetoric that what always happens
is the unexpected Spain has been problem
for centuries. Apart from the rest OF Eu-
rope, without sympathy with the civilization
of the Continent it is partly European and
partly Oriental Spain is country Of con-
tradlctions. It is combination of nationah-
ties. When we speak of Spain we use
geographical expression. There are several
distinct races in Spain, with different languages
and customs. The Catalonian and the Basque
are as far removed as the Teutonlc and
Slavonic One of the problems Of modern
science is the origin of the Basque. small,
gallant proud race, hedged in by the noun
tains and the sea, loyal to traditions and the
Church, who, under the ancient monarchs,
held only a nominal allegiance to the
throne, cherishing their rights and priv
leges with extreme devotion and jeal-
ousy willing to die for Carlos against the
Alfonsists, but quite as ready to die for their
inherited rights against Carlos, the Basque
is only one of the many nationalities that
are embraced in this peculiar country. Conse-
quently national politics are invariably COM
plcated by the local controversies, provincial
rivalries, the desire of the Andalusian to rule
the Castilian and the Basque to govern the
keen-witted, enterprising Catalonians There
is no interviewer nationality Of thought and
sympathy and religion which we see in Ger
many and England At the same time, and
what is sign of hopefulness in looking at
the future, Spain always divided against
itself is always united against the foreigner.
Isolated from Europe, it has responded slowly
to the intellectual movement that has changed
nations like Russia France and England.
Yet every attempt to impose foreign prince
upon its people has led to misfortune and
disaster Even Napoleon could not com
mand respect for Bonaparte, and Amadeus,
although elected by the Cortes, was never
accepted by the people
What compelled Joseph Bonaparte to abdi-
cate in the earlier part of the century and
Amadeus to follow his example fifty years
later was this intolerant spirit toward the
foreigner. The Spaniards would much rather
have an idiot like Charles III. and vagabond
like the last Ferdinand than monarch like
Amadeus, who was the kingliest ruler on
European throne during his brief reign. But
a higher spirit has arisen in Spain. The
movement against the French and the
patriotic uprising which assisted so largely in
the victories of Wellington were the beginning
of new era. Even Spain, dormant torpid,
unyielding, has responded to the feeling in
favor of self-government, which, beginning
with the fall of the Bastile, has given us a
German Empire and o French Republic.
The revolt against Joseph Bonaparte was the
opening of the eyes. The Spaniards then saw
clearly that there was something nobler
than a king, crown or Church.
The many resolutions and pronunciamientoS
and changes in ministries and parties which
have marked Spanish politics in the last fifty
years are only the volcanic movements which
show that all nature is in convulsion, that the
period is one of upheaval, and that the
country Is passing through political change
resembling the geological changes of the
earth. The young men are animated by the
spirit Of liberty and progress. There is
scarcely class that leaves the university that
is not republican. The schools have arrayed
themselves against the Crown. We see in
Spain what we saw in the United
States twenty years ago. The young
men were in favor of liberty. In the
United States, those who remember
the Fremont canvass in 1856, know
that it was a campaign OF young men. The
heart OF the nation, which is expressed in its
youth, was in revolt against the mind of the
nation, as expressed IN Its conservatism, its
respect for property and custom and vested
rights So with us the anh-slavery feelingrose
like a tide, rose with the generation that came
pouring into manhood, eager, brave, intense
and in time it conquered, as youth must
always conquer. Spain has been rising in
similar fashion. CASTELAR,, Salmeron and the
men around them, who made the Republic,
are young men fresh from the universities.
In this they resemble the leaders of
the French Revoluticn-Danton, Vergniaud,
Robespierre, Saint-Just-an Of whom died
in early manhood. What we see in Spain is
the movement of the people toward liberty
and self-government movement driven by
the fire and impulse Of the growing genera
ton.
OF course, q contest like this must be fought
amid many discouragements and delays. We
cannot change people in day. When the
earth is torn up by the husbandman we must
wait for the seasons to cover It with grass and
growing corn. Time and nature are always
the sure restorers. In Spain we have arrayed
against the Republic the mightest inAu-
ences, q standing Church, standing army
and az aristocracy. When our critical friends
despair Of the Republic in Spain, and think
with eomplacency Of what we have done in
this country, and how much better we are
than other people, they forget the influences