The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-03

The influence OF the Revolution.
His Majesty Alfonso XII. is reported as
saying that Notwithstanding he is q ''liberal
constitutionalist' he understands the burdens
that rest upon him in his new Office and will
try to carry them. Until his arrival in Madrid
We shall know nothing about the policy OF the
new reign. The dispatches from Spain are
contradictory and must be examined with
scrutiny One despatch announces that
Marshal SerranO endeavored to prevent the
accession of Prince Alfonso, but was at the
mercy of Primo de Rivera. This is an incredi-
BILE story, and only shows that the reluctance
of Serrano was like the coyness OF the lady in
the poem, who, vOwing she would never
consent, consented.
Another despatch informs US that General
Dorregaray, OF the C,rlist army, has laid
down his arms and given his adhesion to King
Alfonso. This is not probable. There is
probably no power n Spain that Don Carlos
would more willingly fight than Prince
Alfonso. We cannot understand any
reconciliation between the Carlists and the
Altonsists that would not recognize either
the immediate or the ultimate right Of Don
Carlos to the throne. 1t is just possible that
there might be a truce patched up, like that
between the Count de Chambord and the
princes OF the Orleans family, making Don
Carlos the heir to the throne. But this would
be hardly feasible, remembering that Prince
Alfonso has sisters living and several cous-
ms, sons Of the Duke de Montpensier, in the
line of succession. There could be no recog-
ruling out the whole Orleans family. The
reconciliation in France was based upon the
fact that the Count de ChambOrd's natural
heir was the head of the house of Orleans
No such condition, however, exists in Spain,
where both branches-the Orleans and the
Bourbon-have many representatives, heirs
presumptive and apparent to the throne So
that without better advices than we have at
present we are compelled to dscredit the
story that the accession of Alfonso will bring
to an end the Carlist war.
1t will be interesting to observe the effect Of
this revolution upon politics in France. The
promptness with which the house of Orleans
acknowledges King Alfonso may be accounted
for by the intimate relations existing between
the families. If the Bourbon party in France
were to give hearty adhesion to King AL
fonso the peaceful establishment of his
throne might largely influence monarchical
result in France. But we see no possible ALI
ance between the Count de Chambord and
Alfonso as King of Spain. Their interests
would be antagonistic and marked with more
than usual bitterness because of the old
family quarrel If the Count de Chambord
should abdicate his pretensons and permit
the Count de Paris to come forward as king
the result might be the establishment Of the
Orleans family upon the three thrones Of Bel
GUM, France and Spain. There certainly
de Paris as King of France and Alfonso and
Leopold than another prince who could reign
in France.
It is possible we shall have on effort to unite
in some way the AlIonsist and Bonaparte fam
lilies. The policy of the Bonapartes has
always been to deal with Belgium and
Spain more as dependent than equal Powers
and we cannot see any ground for an alliance
that would be permanent in its character.
When the present Queen Isabella was yet I'M
married and the diplomatists of Europe were
fighting over proper husband Prince Jerome
Napoleon went to Madrid in the hope that he
might become an accepted sutton; but the
Bonapartes were not in favor then, and
Jerome did not win the royal hand. Whether
an attempt will now be made to unite the two
houses, either by the Prince Imperial marry
ing the sister of the King or the King marry
ing one OF the Bonaparte princesses, is Ole of
the problems that belong to the immediate
future of Continental politics.
The success Of the effort to put Alfonso on
the throne will naturally be followed by
another monarchical effort in France. Already
there are signs OF unusual activity among the
parties in that country but we question
whether MacMahon will be as easily controlled
as Serrano. He is certainly a more honest
man. He commands the army, he has pledged
his word to support the Assembly, and any
change in France will probably be dictator
ship, based upon the law establishing the
Septennate.
New Years Pulpit Talks.