New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-26
DFdTH OF ALFONSO.


ous inheritance in Spanish history. 1t not ohl9
dopyives the ancient monarchy of a sagaclonS
and nonular sovereign, but it also opens the
way for n protractcd regency Taught with
danger. The Princess of Asturias is a little
maiden who has lust passed her fifth birthday.
Many wears must intervene before she can
ascend the throne, If she be nominated III ono'
for the succession. regency VIII DE newt
able, and this will expose both the throne anu
the State to political intrigues, dynastlc plots
and revolutionary uprisings. No Governheh.
that can be formed will have the elements OF
stability and inherent strength. Inc miili"y
chiefs are always supreme IN Spanish poiitica'
councils owing to the immObllity OF the mhduie
classes. The military party without SOW
creign will be hopelessly divided into rNal
cobols. each Jealous of its authority and pre-
rored IN intrigue at court to revel in bOmDast
and menaces and to stir up strife among 'io
lower classes. Spain is almost the only country
IN Eurone where the virtue of loyalty has
retained its serve quality. Until queen
Isabella was driven from the throne seventeen
wears ago there was a species OIL dumD re'e'-
ence for the throne. Loyalty like blgotry was
. bcnumbing superstition, which brutallzcd the
minds and dcbauched the cOnsciences OF span
iards. so that imbecilty and rapacity on the
throne were rcycrenccd and idOlizcd. Inc
storm and stress period of revolution ana
Ronublicanism impaired this feeling, but King
Nfonso's robust virtues and popular traits
have tended to restore 1t. But the helpless
little maiden in the royal nurseries is not
Ggure TO inspire old-time reverence Tor the
authority of the throne. The Kings daughter
vnfa N
regency; and rcgcncics are provcrbial Tor
weakness and insecurity.
King Alfonso's reign opened under me mos.
unpropitious conditions, and II 1t mas cloSe"
peacefully and prospcrousIy, the result Is
largely To be attributed to his anlaOle QUALITIES
and his good judgment in political crises Inc
Carlist war. which the Republican Ad'hlhls'I'-
ton had been unable to suppress, was brought
to CLOSE cary i'm 1876, and ms restless rlNa'
Don Carlos. was compelled to take refuge III
France and ENGLAND. The Cuban Instruction.
which for many wears had balllcd the military
rcsourccs of successive Governments, was
practically under control i'll February 1873.
The LEGAL uprl,ings which subsequently occurred
in the northern provinces OF SPAN were cash!
suppressed. Since his entry into Mauilu' Ten
wears ago, Alfonso has commanded the conn
dcncc of the Cortcs ana the loyal support Oh HIS
subjects. His skill and tact in dealing with the
leaders of the strong factions INTO Which the
Ministerial party has been divided nave pech
generally recognized. Political rivals nave III"
mo accession To complain of fayOntlsm Oh MS
mart lie has faithfully discharged his colSt'-
tutlonal functions and made no attempt 10
Mace himself above the law. IL MS UoNeI"-
mcnt has put the narrowest possible intcrprtta'
tion uDon the article of the new Constitution
establishing rcl sious tolerance ioI non-Catho-
lie briefs and freedom of private worship lie
ho. known that there was an overwhelming pun
lie sentiment i'm favor of unquestioning SuDillN-
sion to the Church His religious zeal only III
tcnsiicd the good impression created by MS
couiagc, manly bearing and aiiecuonate ieSal"
for hi, subjects. No SPANS Ii sovereign OF the
ccntury ba, been 30 highly esteemed by all
classes of the population as Alfonso. His sell
possession when twice assaulted by pol'''c''
ossassins. his courage in repeatedly visiting the
cholera wards, his love match with MciceueS
and grief when she died. aud his anablc man
ners and confidence III his subjects coiuDlhe" "
render him popular sovereign.
At the beginning OF Allonsos reign the re-
lations of Spain and the United States were i'll Il
critical state owing TO the unfortunate HE'l'"'
affair. His influence had determining weight Ill
the satisfactory adjustment OF the controversy
The pecunary indemnlicatlon OF the 0Ilccis
and crew OF the Nirginius, the prosecution oil
Burcl the pardon Of several Americans con-
dcmned to death. the restitution OF cOnllscated
estates in Cuba, the return OF Tweed without
nm cytradition treaty and continued Efforts Tor
the negotiation of commercial treaties are puDilc
acts which have attestcd the sincerity oil his
friendship for the United States. His pre-
mature death will be heartily regretted by
Americans vino have witnessed 50 many
practical evidences oi his enlightened policy.