The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-25

War, and not possessing the qualities
necessary for the head Of the govern
ment. His occupancy Of the post Of Pre-
n,ier was necessarily only temporary
shift, pending the assumption Of the reins
OF power by Sagasta, the liberal leader.
There is no Disgusting the gravity Of
the recent tragic event in Spain-the as
sassination Of Premier Canovas;it is con-
siderable, not only as regards the loss
OF Spain, but also as regards the loss
sustained by the government. Such
blow Is the most irreparable enc that
could have fallen upon the existing in
stitutions. The day of death, which in
Spain We call the day Of praise. is not
the rending Of just judgment, but rather
Of indulgence. Nevertheless, this toler-
ence must not be carried TO an extreme
in the case Of political parsonage.
Senor Canovas was an erudite scho-
lar, hard worker, perhaps had the fibre
OF statesman. l say that perhaps ne
he possessed the fibre of a statesman.
because 10 call a. great statesman "A
noble politician a marvellous genius
this man who, during the nineteen years
Of peace, has placed US on the borders
Of bankruptcy, leaving Us only his cor
rupted administration, two colonial
Ulysses. into which he has thrown un-
ceasingly the blood and wealth OF the ma
ton, is simply to ridicule the memory
of man, who. hav been learned his
torian, a skiilful polamist and an elo-
quent speaker, yet as statesman 1as
only stood as the greatest national ca
lamity. One of his many-perhaps MS
greatest-defects was that ne was never
in touch with the people among whom he
was born. A Spaniard by character and
by heart, ne was not so in mind.
Don Carlos on the contrary, personifies
his fatherland, in the image Of a man
His admiration and worship of his peo-
pie are unbounded. He firmly believes
in their future triumph. Il was mis- cor
viction that all that the Spaniards re-
quired to be placed in the front rank Of
nations was chief who would be able
TO identify himself with them. This sted-
fast belief has its roots as much in mis-
heart as in his head. With him il is
an instinct born OF ma ture reflection. In
the case Of Senior Canovas just the op-
posite was true, and as sentiments are
generally reciprocal this explains the ex-
traordinary unpopulartiy Of the later
an unpopullarity which through him has
infected the regency 10 such an extent
that 1t Will be the cause Of its death.
LAS TO the consequences Of the abomi-
nable crime Of the Santa Agueda, they
are patent 10 every one. The conserva-
tive party is dead, and disorder will soon
set in. Canovas' Importance in political
affairs did not arise from his personal
value, but from the position ne occupied.
The hinge OF door is but small piece
Of iron, lake ii away and the entrance
to the house remains unprotected. Such
was the role Of Canovas. He kept to-
gether the disjointed elements.
The conservative party is medley
Of incongruities, ranging form the cler-
icals to the extreme limits of advanced
liberalists. Premier Canovas' successor
must needs be taken from one of these
factions. Those neglected will be NOR
tally wounded. The dissolution OF these
heterogeneous forces is a foregone con-
clusion, and the breaking of one Of the
pillars that sustain a building must nee
essarily jeopardize the stability of the
whole structure. Events will follow in
rapind succession, and ere long we shall
witness the overthrow Of the present in
situations. which until now owe their
existence only to the passive role which
Don Carlos patriotism has compelled
nim 10 assume. His great love for Spain
has prevented the realization of his fer
vent desires and those OF his friends. He
had no wish to add to the complications
which afflict his poor country, and the
crushing of these most ardent aspirations
mas been one Of the most painful sacri-
fees he has been called upon to make in
his lifetime.
Another prediction which I made was
that Don Carlos would be King of Spain
by January l, 1898. IneXorable fate, the
force OF circumstances, will now have
10 accomplish that which his patriotism
has kept him from attempting. 1t is per-
tinent TO note the character assumed by
the conferences which are to convene al
Venice, between Don Carlos and his CO.
operate tors, who are assembling just now
az Lucerne, Switzerland, notable among
whom are the Marquis of Cerraldo. Don
and brave veteran, General Don Aware
de Maldonado, Count Of Galiana, repre-
senting the Carlist army, and the emf
nent jurlst and unrivalled orator of the
Spanish Parliament Don Juan Vezques
de Mella. These conferences are 10 be
conducted with the greatest elaboration.
AS I have said before. Don Carlos pa
triotism will not permit him 20 take ai-
vantage Of the evil hour Of his oppo-
nents, nor ID avail himself OF the ire
mendous force OF volunteers, one hun
dred thousand strong. who are now ready
and eager 20 mass themselves into con-
quering legions 70 conduct the rigAtful
heir 10 the Spanish throne, TO the place
OF his inheritance. in the Palacio Real, al
Madrid.
on BEING BURIED ALIVE