New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-01
THE ALFOSSYr CONSPIRACY.

Less than q week ago we were discussing
the probability of restoration in Spain Of
the Bourbon dynasty, and although there was
little to indicate an immediate movement in
that direction, we warned our readers Of the
wide range of contingencies within which the
conspirators of the barracks and the emisSa-
ries of the exiled family find their sphere Of
action. 1t would seem from the news we
print this morning that even before that time
the conspiracy for pronunciamicnto had been
well nigh perfected, and that the fatuous
speech of Don Alfonso to the grandees
who visited him, announcing his readiness TO
come to Spain and make everybody happy,
was merely part of the preliminary comedy
which was to prepare the country for the
practical demonstration by the army. 1cster-
day morning we announced that Gen. Martl-
nez CampOs had pronounced with two bat
talions in favor Of Don Alfonso, and had
marched upon MurviedrO, in the province of
Valencia. Accompanying this dispatch, how
ever was the statement that II portion Of the
Republican Army of the North had been de-
tached from the pursuit OF the Carlists and sent
to put down this new instruction. No one
wastes his Credulity too much upon Span
ish news, but if any inference were drawn
from these statements it would be that Gen.
Martinez CampOs had pronounced upOn his
own responsibility and that Marshal ScrTano
was inclined to try conclusions at once with
the Alfonsist party. But the later news bore
an entirely different face. The revolt in
Valencia was by no means an isolated crime.
1t was shared in Madrid and throughout the
army. 1t is now reported that the entire mil
Of Of fho
Center Ehas joined the AlfOnsist insurection
and that 1t receives the acquiescence Of
Marshal SerranO and the ministry. If
this news ia not exaggerated, there is
nothing to prevent the return to Spain, the
solemn proclamation and coronation of the
son of Isabel III.
He is youth of seventeen years, not strong
either in body or mind. He Is universally re-
garded in Spain as illegtimate. He has no
claim whatever upon the throne except that
he is the son of his mother who was as bad "a
woman as queen. Her mother was like her
self, and her father, if possible, worse. For
four generations the line is utterly corrupt
and worthless. Since Charles III. no one can
point to q good reign, we may almost
say to q good action, of a Spanish sOveT-
eign; of course we except the unfortunate
experiment of Amadeus of Savoy, who was
a gentleman at least. But Charles w. and
his son Ferdinand were not gentlemen in
any sense of the word. They were cOwardly,
treaeherous, untruthful, weak and personally
dishonest. Queen Christine and Queen Isabel
were not ladies; it is not possible TO call them
so without casting derision upon the name.
They we're unfaithful rulers, Unfaithful wives,
not honest even in money matters. Both the
Kings and both the Queens we have men
toned broke their word so frequently that no
one could trust them. Their public character
was as bad as their private. We do not ac-
cuse them of being the cause Of al the misery
which Spain has suffered for the last century.
Even the best of Kings, like Charles III. for
instance, could not make Spain happy. But
it is as clear as day that these sovereigns
while doing no good have done infinite harm
10 their unhappy kingdom. Their incapacity
as rulers was as evident as their immortality
"a individuals Their acts were as noXiOus as
their example.
The last OF the race, Don Alfonso, has this
bad blood in his veins. II is his only claim to
the crown he seeks. 1t is useless to say lie
has any other. He has no such clam NJ heirs
apparent, like the Prince OF Wales, OF pre-
tenders like the Prince Imperial of France or
even like his cousin Don Carlos. The last
represents the Catholic religion and divine
right; young Bonaparte represents the i'm
perial system; the Prince of Wales represents
the British Constitution. But Don Alfonso has
DO principle behind him. He will grant any
constitution the brigand- generals who bring
him in, ask for His family care as little for
political consistency as personal honor If he
comes to Spain, ne will come az the stool
pigeon Of sel6sh and savage conspiracy Of