New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-13

Tho Spanish revolt is an indication of national
di,content rather than of growing enthusiasm for
republican institutions. The area of dissfection
in the towns seems to be widening, and a small
group of nferOr officers the army is suspected Of
entertaining revolutionary designs; but the middle
classes, upon whose consent republican institutions
must inevitably depend in any country under the
sun, are Indifferent to the success of the movement
If CASTELAR, could have obtained the unbroken sup
port of those classes IN the day of bis power the
Republic founded by him would not have persisted
through sheer inanition. Probably there is no
other country in Europe where there is so little
public spirit among people of wealth and education
as in SPAN. They know how corrupt the Govern
ment u.s. how stagnant is the whole course OF public
admins ration how pressing is the need of in
sttutions. But they will not exert themselves nor
make any personal sacrifices to secure better state
of things. They despss the priests an ignorant
and lazy class, yet content TO follow their bid
ding even in political matters. The Church and
the Army are the only real sources of political
power in Spain, and neither the one nor the other
can be a hot-bed of repubcanism. URtIl there is
a reawakening Of the middle classes TO q sense of
their public functions. isolated revolts such as
these that are now reported in the cable news
possess little significance
"a
TRIBUNEs Washington dispatches the other day
about Lieutenant-Colonel lges. 1t seems that this
officer was court-martaed eight years ago for the
same olence-that Of duplicating pay accounts-and
that although the court-martial was con PEELED by
the evidence TO find him guilty eight of Its men,
bers Joined IN q recommendation of cemency. This
President Grant approved, although as he himself
said, 1t was 1" the second time clemency had been
extended To this officer. remarking ut the same time
that hrs offence involved " falsehood, fraud and an
act of dshonor" One clearly proved offence of dis
honesty ought to be conclusive against officer,
and the fact that Lieuenaut-Colone llges has been
on trial now for the third time. apparently for the
same offence shows that the standards have been
lowered not only in the Army but IN the White
House. There should be an end of loose and de-
morazing sentimentalty on this subject Every
guilty officer should be punished without regard to
influence" or the number of his friends. and this
rule should apply to the case of Colonel Morrow as
we'll as to that of Lisutenant-C Colonel Ilges.
Lord Rpon has shared the fate OF every English
Viceroy who has made a resolute attempt 10 intro
duce radical reforms in Indian administration. A
great outcry has been raised against him; no has
incurred the enmity of the official classes, and will
return to England at the expiration of his term
with scarcely shred of popularity remaining.
Lord Lawrence nAu Slnllar experience. great nero
though he was He had given deliverance to the
Anglo Indians in their hour OF deadly peril, but his
immense services were forgotten as he I'M
de took to reform the fragrant abuses connected
with the admin istration The popular Yceroy is
he who carries TO Calcutta neither experience nor
knowledge of Indian affairs and is content to have
overyth go on in the old way. Lord Lytton was
a Viceroy of tins order, and he was acceptable TO
the official classes. Lord Ripon was veteran Of
the Indian Office. who for many years had made a
close study OF the tendencies OF British rule in the
East. He has brought forward the Native Juris-
dction and other measures of liberal character,
and has encountered the opposition Of the civil and
military staff and the main body of British resl-
DENTS 1t Is reassurlng to learn that notwithstan
ing the clamors raised against him, and the cap
tious criticism OF tho Conservative press in Eng
land, the Liberal Government giving him most
cordial support and strengthening his hands in
maj