New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-13
EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.
GEN. PAvINS DEFENSE.

POET FREILIGRATH.
IFRoM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE'l
LONDON, March 25.-It is not likely that speeches
will save Spain any more than-as Prince bismarck
long since said--they could make united Germany.
But a speech by man who has proved that he can
do something else is worth listening TO- and Ten.
Pavia's account of his coup detat is statement Oh
real interest and Importance. The Spaniards them
selves have long been eager TO hear it. 1t contains
PERHAPS not much that is absolutely new, but IL
puts in clear light the strange circumstances IN
which the act was committed, and the cere-
monous politeness which marked every step
of Gen. Pava's proceedings The time was
the beginning Of 1874. Spain was republic,
az least in name. with Castelar, for President and
majority of the Cortes in opposition. That majority
however. was n coalition; agreed upon nothing ex-
cept that Castelar, should be upset, nor with the
least chance of agreeing who should succeed him. or
what form of government should replace the repub-
lie. Carlism was strong in in the North and
strong in intrigue at Madrid. Carthagcna was in
possession of the CantOnallsts-the Communists of
Spain. Frightful outbreaks had lately occurred at
Seville, Granada, Barcelona, and Alcoy. The army
was weak and demoralized. In short Spain stood on
the brink of a catastrophe; the elements Of civil war
in every province, and invading force ready to
take advantage of disorder, to profit by the alarm
which would follow the breakup OF the
existing government to proclaim itself the
savior of society, and TO put Don Carlos
the throne. Between Spain and the Pre-
tender stood nothing, CASTELAR, defeated, but
a cantonal government, which the army would not
have obcyed or the state OF the armies of the
North, the Center, and Catalonia Gen. Paya had
informed himself All were agreed, and equally
agreed in supporting CASTELAR, Gen. Paya sought
President Castelar, laid all these considerations be-
fore him. and entreatel him to "save society"-in
other words to send the Cortes to the right about
and govern without them. CASTELAR, refused
The General then besought him simply to sus-
pend the session; "a decree" he said, which
| would have made respected with four waters,
or. failing them, with four bayonets, taking
upon myself the tranquility Of Madrid"
Again CASTELAR, refused, declaring "he would
not forfeit one atom of legality" Bafed in every
effort to induce the President TO take measures for s
own safety and that OF the republic, Gen. Payia then
resolved to act for himself. We remember what ell
sued, but some of the details given by Gen. Payia
make the whole performance, serious rs 1t was look
almost ike a stage revolution. Ii is plain he knew
what value to set the Madrid mob. He actually
marched from the barracks to the Parliament House
with artillery loaded with blank cartridges. He was
met by n notification that vote of confidence IN
CASTELAR, had been passed. The stern soldiers mind
was made M and he answered it WIS too late. One
Deputy whose faith in DEGREES survived even
crisis of blood and iron, proposed while Paya was IN
motion that he should be deprived Of his post OF
Cap,ain-Gcneral Of Madrid. But the Minister
of War told the man Of words that resistance
was useless the session was suspended, the troops
entered; n few shots in thu air dispersed the few
pcputies who had ideas Of passive resistance; and
the work was done. Some Of the Foreign Ministers
were present. Gen. Payia sent a guard for their
protection they left the House under an escort; the
troops presented arms, and the General at The head
Of ms staff saluted them as they passed. That is
fine touch Of Castlian courtesy. Never for n
moment does Payia seem 10 have lost his head or 10
have dreamed Of setting up the usual Spanish mill
tarv dcspoism or making himself the military chief
OF the State.
How unlike what Naryacz and O'Donncll used to
do! And even Prm, whom we have grown used 70
prai.ug as the author Of the revolution which gave
some freedom to Spain kept power in his own hands
10 the day of his assassination. Payia was loyal
enough 10 suffer himself to be dismissed from COM
mand by the men who had found their way to power
through his means Cen Payia summoned the chiefs
of all parties-the Cantonalists and Cariss alone eX
ccpted and nightly eXccptod-t0 form government.
He sent three times 10 Castelar, but three times Cas-
telar declined The rest is history-not history as
surely better history for Spain than If she had
sunk beneath the yoke of Carlos and his priests
been split into fragments by the maniacs of the
Spanish Commune. Ii is certain that one of these
two things must have happened Payia says, " Ii
had MOI done this, should have received and de-
served the Cpprobrium OF the whole of Spain, and
Tie army would have dcspised me, and with good
reason, for that very month of January would not
nave passed without Don Carlos dc Borbon having
entered Madrid" Can any one Of MS say that IS not
trne-tlat what Pavia predicts would not have hap
pened And if not, judge Payia very severely
Tor saving his country Illegally Were all tho acts
of President Lincoln from April 1861, to July con-
stitutionalY
This reads, must admit. very ike an apology for
q coup dfiai, but ! cannot help il. Pavas act has
little in common with tho 18th Brumaire or the I'd
December. The criticisms on lt-eyeu Castoiars-
sound very much like tho demonstrations of the
iIlegality of coercion, with which Southern Rebels
aud Northern Copperhcads familiariled us during
the Rebellion. CASTELAR, down to this day clngs TO
his cherished legality-to every atom of it, and
clingng to it would have let the Of free gov
ernInent go to sudden ruin while carefully preserving
the form. lie cannot speak Of Payias act without
thrill OF anger.
From the "a Of January I have never exchanged
word a bow with Gen. povia; consequently Whatever
heart and homage to the trth. LaI nothing TO DO,
directly or indirect y, win the coup dtW OF the 81 OF
January Had known H. th0lgn iclt much regard for
Gen Plya, would have dlsmssed him. aud had me
moans OF dong so and had II been necessary would
have had him shot, and had the power 10 90 50. Gen
Paya has confessed that he had he'd no conference with
any member Of tie CASTELAR, Cabinet on this plan. nor
with any member OF the Right Vi the Assembly, ana
am therefore quite satisfied
CASTELAR, shows clearly enough in this the clement
of weakness which mpairs his fitness to govern. lie
is honest, eloquent, able, By the agreement OF all
,.o, Du tI,n prnfcseoria rtbe Moons Ort at times