Litchfield enquirer., 1875-01-14
The Latest Political Change in
 Spain.

We hope no one yesterday permitted
 the news of the recent change of govern ment in Spain to disturb the special fes- tiyities which distinguish New Years Day from all other days in the year. By all accounts the monarchy has succeeded the republic without bloodshed. This fact alone, it IS true, does not constitute rea- son for witnessing the substitution of monarchical for republican institutions with calmness; but there is the additional fact that the republic which existed in Spain bore only formal resemblance to the republic which exists in this country, and i'll all the functions designed for the maintenance of public order and private rights was far inferior to the monarchical and aristocratic institutions of England.
 It does not follow from this that the cit izens of free country should rejoice to see the overthrow of the Spanish republic. A bad republic may be many times better than good monarchy, because the at tempt of people to govern themselves, however poorly they for the moment suc- ceed, educates the individual, and in the course of time builds up the enlightened public opinion upon which in the last in- stance republican institutions must rest But the real character of @ government, under whatever name it goes, must be taken into account in estimating the re- suits of it's overthrow, and as firm believ- CTS in the absolute right of the people to govern themselves we must yet confess that the Spanish people have thus far shown very small capacity for self-gov- ernment
 The common saying that it is useless to attempt to keep the run of affairs in Spain indicates how nebulous and contradictory have been the administrative acts of the Spanish government since the abd1cation of Amadeus. It is true that under Caste lar there was considerable ground for hoping that a true republic would emerge from the inchoat and chaotic con- dition of affairs. But the principle ground for this hope was the high character and executive ability of Castelar, himself and of few of his associates. The disorean- ized and inexperienced mass of people be- low him finally forced from the helm the one man who possessed an intelligent per ception of the successive compromises of opinion which are necessary to the main tenance of popular government. Since the retirement of Castelar, the wretched condition of the country has become more and more apparent. The Carlist in- surrectlOn has been a continual drain up- on her pecuniary resources and the pa tience of the people. The dreadful con dition of Cuba has increased her admins trative difficulties, and the treatment of the Virginius led to her humiliation by both Great Britain and the United States. In Europe she has been a kind of checker board for the use or amusement of conti- mental diplomatists The authority of the republic has been respected neither at home nor abroad.
 Suddenly, and apparently almost by com mon consent, Don Alfonso, the son of the deprayed Isabella, an inexperienced youth seventeen years old, becomes king. It is ceBB9EEttsA tha hf calls We doubt whether he has any clear notions of any kind, and certainly the older men by whom the ad- ministration will necessarily be conducted will make the essential character of the boy government such as they think best Cuba will still remain a constant souroc of of perplexity and trouble, and the new Spanish government will not be permitted by foreign powers to evade the obliga- tlons assumed by it's predecessor. The cost of the government will not be dimin- 1shed by monarchical forms, but probably increased. and the taxes will still be high. It is uncertain whether the Carlists will yield readily to the new king, and, al- though his authority may he recognized promptly by monarchical governments, this act of courtesy will carry with it few substantial benefits. In most respects Don Alfonso will have to bear precisely the burdens which have crushed out, for the time being, the republic
 : In the meantime, the experience of the last two years undoubtedly has taught the Spanish people something. Just now they may have reached the point of dis couragement where any change is regard ed as one for the better. But very short trial of the son of Isabella will convince them that what they require is not new but better government.
 As between a republic and monarchy of equal administrative weakness there is not much doubt that the Spaniards will finally choose the republic The acces- sion of Don Alfonso, unless he is absolute ly different from the rest of his family, may be the very means necessary to it's final establishment.