The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-01-05
THE REACTION IN SPAIN.

TEE II NEACTION In SRAhNs
On the last day of the year, the Boston
Advertiser, In summing up the politics OF
the year, expressed the opinion that 1874
would be remembered "as the period OF
the elimination of great conservative re-
action" AS an argument gong to show
that this conservative reaction had ''culni-
mated" It thus cites the situation in Spain
In 1878 the republic was in full opera.
ton. The year closed with the leader OF
Spanish republicans in possession ofpower.
But various events at home and abroad had
thrown upon Castelar's government I'm.
merited discredit, and at the beginning OF
1874 his rule came to an end. SerranO, who
succeeded him, belongs to The reactiOnary
school, and Bourbon restoration with biz
consent. If not assistance, has beef looked
upon as probable. The Spanish republic
Is still {. dictatorship and the extraordinary
strength exhibited by the Carlists is one OF
the signs of the conservative reaction. But
the year closes with less than ever sale
about restoration, and the strength of the
Carlists has seriously declined
Who can tell what II day may bring
forth? Before the paper, containing THU
ctdtCintni, hdu lNhIhNu VI ITO ituuties
Alfonso was proclaimed King of Spain, and
thus, perhaps, completed the 'culmina
tion" so far as that unhappy country is
concerned If Castelar, was correct, as he
doubtless was, in saying that zone OF the
nations most fitted for federation that is
for a repablic--"is Spain" what hope is
there fer the rest of Europe? Must tn,
reaction continue in France, extend to Ger
many, Italy and the re. of Europe, until
liberal governments hall only be remem
bercd as a name ia the pastl Look al
Spain for moncn'. 1t has, in the north,
province, POSSESSED sof independence, where
each town is a republic of itself, governed
by officers elected by the residents thereof
they have constitutions, vote taxes, max,
and amend laws, aAl give neither credit
or blood to the kings Neither is Spain
without republican traditions as, for in
instance, the Cortcs of CASTLE and that OF
Aragon. Moreover. in 1858, n victory was
gained over tne monarchy in whicl
the reigning dynasty fled, and til,
principles of national sovereignty,
individual rights and universal suffrag,
were proclaimed-yet the attempt 10 cs.
tablish a republic failed. Why: Because
these revolutions never triumphed except
when the conservatives unitedswith the re.
publicans-and the former were always
stickers for monarchy the republican
followers, not the leaders. were unfamiliar
with the idea Of Il republic, and that OBJ
ject was 10; avowed until after the attain
ment of success; the republican leaders.
as well as followers, were divided in senti
ment--some being naturally conservative
and others radical the triumph was
achieved, or, rather, made a success onl,
by the aid OF the military and the mass OF
these knew of no state government but one
of a monarchial form. The result of these
and other causes, therefore, was in former
revolutions only to effect change Of Inon-
archs and, sometimes, of reignins houses.
But as the people had been brought face to
face with the fact of a republic, as it was
believed they were being constantly edu-
Gated in the ideas of self government, the
last revolution was hailed with joy, and ii
was believed, by many, that Spain had be-
come republic in fact as well as in name,
that the republic was not for day, but
for all time. The end of Castear's govern
ment, last year, rudely dispelled some OF
shese day dreams, and many have not hest
tated to predict that the restoration was at
hand; while others held, with the ADDER
tser, that, as the efforts of the Carlists
seemed to, be declining and as little was
said about restoration, reaction from
the reaction would be the next step. But
Alfonso Is king-and such king! The
restoration may bring peace, but it will be
treachcrous and temporary peace. The
proud old Dons, the aristocIacy of Spain
may delight in the bauble of monarch fol
day, but they will not long consent to
accept the Sandwich Island principle that
royalty and ''blue blood is only derived
from the mother without regard to the
father. When they become disguised, as
they surely will, with this burlesque on the
divine right of kings, they will find Cas-
telar and his republican associates ready tt
strike another blow.