Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01

broadcned the sphere OF free thought and
expression and widened the scheme of
religious tolerance, despite the active op-
position of the Ronsish Church. He was
happy in his effort TO keep that influence
from plunging the country into sea of
trouble, conceding to it Just enough to put
it in an attitude before the world, as more
than selfish if it is refused, and vet not
enough to wholly deprive the people of the
right to worship according to the dictates
of conscience. Yet it remains that toler-
alton in Spain is of character that in
America it would be regarded us
tyrannous. King Alfonso was clear
type of the weakness of the Bour-
bon, ahd that he possessed some re-
deeming qualities and did great good to
Spain and much for the cause of human
liberty, is to be attributed rather to the
atmosphere of the age, than to any other
cause Alfonso came by his physical de-
fects by natural descent from line of
decrepit and profligate princes That he
should have proved of such mettle as he
was, is surprising when the sources of bis
being are considered. That he should
have died young and the victim
of inherited weakness and worse
ills is not surprising, nor is it
strange that the news should now come to
hand that his infant heir should already
manifest scrofulous tendencies, indicating
the approach of wasting consumption.
Should this baby Queen die before attain
ing her majority, Spain may become the
battle-ground of revolution and the scene
of disorder that can scarcely be forecast,
even by the freest fancy. The House OF
Bourbon will possibly receive its death
blow and the possibility of republic in
Spain be again revived.
FRANCE
In France the year has been marked by
political disturbances, but the republic has
not been shaken. The Oriental policy of
the Government has been maintained and
the status quo in Tonquin preserved in its
| integrity. France succeeded in her strug-
gle with China, despite the jealousy of
nearly all other Powers and their desire
that she should fall. Not only has the
treaty of 1872 been preserved, and all its
| compacts enforced upon the Anamese, but
| the commercial rights of the French have
been augmented and strengthened. While
England and Russia were at odds over the
| Afghan frontier. France negotiated q treaty
with Burmah looking to an offensive and
| defensive alliance, thus indicating that
France contemplated extending a protec-
torate over Burmah, and possibly of gain
ing a firm foothold in that country.
France has never abandoned the idea of an
Eastern empire-it is the hope of her peo-
pie and the core of her foreign policy. The
deposition of Minister Ferry, which took
place within the year, and the formation
| in March of the De Freycinet Cabinet,
checked whatever schemes may have been
entertained in this direction. But
the fall of the Ministry did not
materially change the policy of the
Government regarding the Tonquin war
or modify its Madagascar policy.
The year promised to be the last of the ad-
ministration of President Grevy, but the
Chamber and the Senate have made him
his own successor, to serve for seven years
longer, and the ambition of Brisson is thus
crushed. The election of 4 President in
France is not the occasion for such agita-
ton as in this country. The Office is not
| contended for as among our political lead
ers, and it can scarcely be said to be the
gift of party favor at all. The opposition
would, if they could, blot out the Republic
| itself and substitute such undemocratic
rule as the strongest among them might be
| able to maintain. In France it is the Re
public on the one side and all its enemies
on the other. If there is any division
among the latter, it is not upon the ques-
ton of opposition to republican forms OF
government. Grevy has made good Pres
ident. He has been radical in nothing and
conservative in all things relating to the
national policies. He has been firm for,
| and true to republican institutions and the
friend of democratic forms of expression
among the governed. He has handled the
contending factions of monarchists and
Bonapartists admirably, and in his recent
election was the only man upon
whom the Opportunists and Radicals
could unite. A less discreet
man in his position would long
since have precipitated revolution.
The career of the Republic in France leads
the student of history to conclude that the
people are not yet fully up to due appreci-
alton of the benefits and possibilities of free
government. Politically, they lack the
information that in America all voters do
or may possess. Nor is the wisdom dis
played by the representatives of the peo-
pie in the legislative bodies promising,
since it is manifest in some of the most
absurd actions, such, for instance, as over
| throwing Cabinet for q military reverse
| and the substitution of another to pursue
precisely the former policy.
ENGLAND, EGYPT AND AFGHANIsTAN.
In England the agitation of the year has
| been purely political. For a time it ap.
peared that Mr.. Gladstone would be re-
| turned to the head of the Cabinet, but that
hope may now be considered to be very
distant. The true sentiment of the recent
elections is not yet sufficiently determined
to enable positive judgment to be formed
as to the probable result Generally, how
1
ever, the result will probably be accepted
as decided victory against the Liberals
though their minority will be small-and
as an indication that the party will be re.
organized upon more conservative basis
The Irish Home-rulers have made great
advances, and the hope of government
for the Irish people has never been so great
as at this time. Even to Mr.. Gladstone i.
credited plan for home rule which i.
represented as liberal as anything Mr.. Par
nell has, in his secret heart, expected from
the present. This report, which at thi:
writing is but report, has reused the
nobility and landed proprietors of botl
Ireland and England to bitterly denounct
the scheme of an Irish Parliament. and II
| afan or Il. II L