Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-13
A1nREaEnEKArING.

SPAIN REGENERATING.
The gradual but sure growth OF democ-
racy in Europe is one Of The most significant
signs of the times. The United States have
demonstrated the fact that country having
lations with every civilized government
upon earth can exist and prosper without a
king. France is demonstrating that great
country can enforce the laws aud increase in
prosperity without king. These things are
revelations to peoples who had been taught
for generations that republicanism was a
mere utopia, that appeared very alluring in
looks but was impracticable system of
government. The consequence is that in
every country in Europe body of ardent
republicans are TO be found, who scatter
democratic ideas around them, make con-
verts, and bide their time. Even in Spain,
until Of late years the most mon
archy and priest-ridden country Europe
contained, Tepublicanism has to-day a
crowd of devoted adherents, led by the
able and patriotic CASTELAR,; their persistence
and moderation is certain, within mode
rate space of time, to work great changes
in the government of that country. So
powerful are these democratic influences
that the kings ministers are compelled to
make continual concessions to the prevail
ing sentiment. RscentIy the Segasta minis
try has shown failing powers, and a Liberal,
Marshal Serrano, has assumed a strong atti-
tude in affairs. The policy he proposes is
something like that on which Louis Phil
lippe was placed on the throne of France,
ga monarchy surrounded by republican in
stitutious." On this as a basis Serrano I'M
dertook to secure the cooperation Of Demo-
Gratis, Radicals, Moderates and other shades
Of liberalism. The CONSERVATIVES laughed at
such project, but they are at this moment
convulsed with CONSERVATION at seeing Ser
rano successful in his policy. The Liberals,
knowing that every advance gained is
step nearer TO the ultimate triumph of
their principles, have alarmed the mon
archical absolutists by joining, to the
number of eighty-fve out of eighty mine,
prominent leaders in the Serrano policy.
They are ex-deputits of the Democrat
Republican group. The substance of the
declarations of these men of advanced ideas
is that they do not consider the mere form
of the government as absolutely essential, so
that they obtain, whether in a republic or a
monarchy, the reforms and practical demo-
cratic system for which the Liberals have
contended--the system of national sovereignty
based upon universal suffrage. They will
assent 10 the continuance of the present
monarchy, and support the policy of Serrano,
as long as liberal and constitutional princi-
Piles are adhered to. They require a code
which guarantees the liberties of the subject,
the rights of the nation, freedom of worship
and liberation for Spanish liberalism and
Spanish democracy. These are high
claims in nation that so long sub
mitted to absolute power in the SOW
ereign, and where an arrogant and mer-
ciless priesthood could maintain the torlures
Of the inquisi,ion and the fires OF the Auto
de Fs. The policy of Marshal Serrano, as ex-
planned by him in the Senate during
its session on the 9Th of the present
month, included the establishment Of
universal suffrage; the legaliz alton
of civil marriage; reform of the gen.
eral administration; reduction of taxation;
improvement of the national credit, and
liberty of the press and of public worship
Sweeping demands these for a country 80
long crushed and tyrannized over by re-
lentless despotisml Serrauo stands well in
the Kings favor, and Should he admit that
stateman's policy, and rally around his per-
son the young, the ardent, and the intellect
ual by countenancing the liberal policy an
nounced and advocated by Serrano, Spain
may in a few weeks make sharp and
momentous step forward that shall bring her
in line with the most advanced monarchical
and by banishing the narrow sys-
49,, that h-s snffocsted the nation and |
sumo that rank among the nations that it is |
the pride Of her patriots TO recall,