Evening star., 1894-04-12
CAsTELAR,s SECESSION.
Comment Caused Over His Withdrawal
From the Republicans.

No event Of greater political interest has
occurred in Madrid. Spain, in many years
than the formal withdrawal Of Emilio
CASTELAR, from the republican group in the
cortes and his alliance with the monar-
chists. The scene in the cortes when the
announcement of Senior Castelar's secession
from the republicans was made by Senator
Celleruelo, the leader of the moderate re-
publican group, on Tuesday, was one OF
great excitement. which was intensified by
the announcement Of several other repub-
licans of their intention to follow Senior
CASTELAR, into the monarchist ranks.
A great many harsh words were INDUCED
in. particularly by the republicans, who
do not underestimate the injury which
Castear's secession has inflicted upon the
republican movement in Spain.
The final severing Of all associations with
the republican party by Senor Castelar, nat
rarks of his former Political associates. but
1t will probably have little effect upon the
course Of events in Spain.
The most impressive individuality Of this
generation in Spain, a man of spotless per-
sonal character and great intellect-greater
academically, however, than politically-he
has, nevertheless. for some years past been
little more than name, and his practical
leadership has steadily waned ever since
his brief presidency" If his tenure Of
chief authority in the then distracted state
NAV be so styled. Inc WOTlO mas COIIlc tO
regard him more and more as man of
thought perhaps of Dreams rather than of
action. He has not, during the present
reign especially, been a force In Spanish
politics.
In February, 1888, a little over two years
after the death of King Alfonzo XII. Senor
CASTELAR, created q sensation in the cortes
by declaring, in the course Of long
speech, that when the monarchy implants
democratic reforms all republicans must
serve It, He applauded the liberal prin-
ciples Of the cabinet Of that day, pointing
out the conquests of liberty and democracy
in Spain, and declared that II the same
nciples were continued the present mon
archy might become the most remarkable
Of the time. This virtual acceptance of the
monarchy and abandonment of the repub-
lican propaganda was accentuated at SUBJ
seQuent times, and gradually a small party
of moderate liberals, known as the pos
sibilist," was grouped around him. His fol-
lowing was too small to largely influence
events, and in May. 1898. he formally an
nounced his retirement from public life
On that occasion he said:
II shall remain a republican until l die,
but shall not act against the monarchy,
as I am convinced that, for the present
this is the only stable and progressive form
of government possible In Spain. In this
conviction is to be found the reason why
1 have asked my friends and my party,
now freed from my long political history.
to enter Loyalty the ranks of the liberals,
and to do all in their power to help the
monarchy.
II hope that the next change in the min
istry will bring one of my friends into Of
flee, in order that the fusion of republicans
and liberals may be sealed and consecrated
l. myself, far from public affairs. shall de-
vote the rest of my days to the study of
history and to literary work.
He subsequently, called together the chiefs
of his party to take formal leave Of them.
He gave them some parting counsel, though
he did not attempt to dictate to them what
their future course should be. AS result
his "possibilist' party was practically dis
banded. Some of its members allied them
selves with the republicans. while others
Joined the monarchists, and made what is
known as the monarchial party, as distin-
guished from both conservatives and
liberals.
The followers Of Senior CASTELAR, were, how
,sver, too few to ef1sos by such action any