New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-28
fear that the Saints, who are no longer iso-
lated, will wish to resume 1t.
MARRIAGE AND Politics.


The marriage festivities which are TO peg'p
at Madrid to-day-Alphonso' birthday-are ap-
parently devoid of political significance. ING
union of the reigning head OF the eider ori'io"
of the Spanish BOurbons with fIincess Oh 'ne
| Uonshuro-I lorraine house has been proposed
and arranged with all the Formally ana cere-
mony of modern diplomacy, ana sancuoheu III
advance nv the Pope, the Emperor OF Austria
and the Cortes: but despite the HISTORICAL
associations of the event and the increased
inheritance with which the secret treaty with
| Germany has invested the statecratt oil vienna,
,be marriage is regarded with languid interest
IN rho European capitals. Times have changed
s;nco the condidature of Prince Leopold
nIupoed two great nations headlong into the
abyss of war. The Spanish succession, when
oDened the way for the downfall oil crowned
intricuer and the establishment OF Repuoncan
government in France Is now matter OF
trivial importance In the combinations oil
European diplomacy.
While it is certain that the nomination of
Prince Leopold caused unnecessary Jealousy
and excitement in the Council Chamber OF
Napoleon ILL.,, the indifference manifested
throughout the course of the negotiations
between the two Courts which have resulted
in the marriage of Alphonso XII. and the
granddaughter of Palatine Joseph, is not
wholly justified by the facts. Although the
present decade has witnessed the collapse OF
Liberalism and the complete triumph of Reac-
ton beyond the Pyrenees, the energies OF the
Nation are not parayzcd. For century Span
ish Cabinets, owing to civil warfare and colonial
Encouragement, have adopted tmorous policy
of inaction on the Continent. CASTELAR, under
took III "a recent outburst of eloquence before
the Cortes to suggest to the Ministers of the
Restoration coura geous and comprehensive
policy abroad, based upon upright and salu-
tary administration at home. He maintained
that the settlement OF the Eastern question had
been only temporarily deferred, and that
European war was imminent. and he con-
tended that Spain should secure the vantage
which the nobest of her national aspirations
eau draw from these amending complications
Holland in past centuries had turned to pront
the wars between Spain and England, between
France and Spain, and between Spain ana
| Germany; and in like manner the Italy OF
| to-day has been the model of diplomatic pen
| etration, establishing its independence and
completing its development during the wars
between France and Austria, Prussia and
| Austria. and Prussia and France. Spain, he
declared, must not lose such precious mo-
ments, but must adopt foreign policy which
Will create for itself friends everywhere.
| The orators words did not fall upon dull
ears. Ii is possible that the Ministers whose
torpor and indifference to what was going on
in Europe he denounced in such unmeasured
terms may do something to reassert the moral
power and political authority of the ancient
monarchy. 1t may be that the listlessness as
well a. the old riOtous blood has oozed out OF
Spanish veins, and that the kingdom will not
only be better ordered at home but more in
fuential abroad. If such a result is to be
worked out, either by a reactionary Cabinet
or by progressive advisers like CASTELAR,. the
union of the reigning houses in Vienna and
Madrid is al important factor of the problem.