The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-09
THE POLITICAL EFFECT.
Carlist and Republican Plots May Bring Civil
war and Cuban Independence.

Carlist and Republican Plots May Bring Civil
War and Cuban Independence.
Canovas del Castillo was the greatest political
factor and power in Spain since the time of the
Duke of Olivares, the favorite of King Philip ".
Canovas exercised an extraordinary control over
the late King Alfonso XII, who could never
forget that he owed him his crown. The fact is
we'll known that the King never dared to con-
tradict Canovas, and in the few instances in
which he expressed opinions contrary to those OF
his Prime Minister the ~latter's angry look was
enough to mako the King yield. The Queen
Regent inherited from her husband the same re-
spect for the iron-handed ruler. During the life
of Alfonso tho Queen had a grudge against the
Prime Minister, because she was jealous Of his
influence over her husband. She loved Alfonso
passionately, and her jealousy of some ladies of
the court gave rise to several scandals in the
palace. Canovas always interfered. rebuking
her for her conduct.
The last scandal was about the spring of 1891.
The Queen found the King promenading in the
garden Of the palace with one of her rivals.
In a sudden fit of anger, she horsewhipped both.
The news spread through the nation and the
monarchy was threatened. Two hours after the
event Canovas. without even announcing him
self, entered the private rooms of the Queen and
said to her:
Madam, a constitutional queen has not the
oLliho Al $50 ~ - TAhSs ASoA AAtA tAobS 'ho
| not one of love, but Of state. Before your pri-
vate feelings are the interests of the monarchy.
| Tomorrow you will leave Spain for Austria.
| and you will await my orders in Vienna"
She did as he said. A few months after tho
Queen returned, and from that time on she had
no other will than that of Canovas.
He saved the crown of Spain for my hus-
band. she always said. and he will put 1t ON
my sons head"
C.-on.o -a-.u Lnl a,,oh .nuaanl lA....
over her. Sagasta. a man OF perhaps more
ability as a local politician, has not the strong
control over his party that Canovash had over his,
nor that power of m which made many
they Believed that he was was in the wrong wrong. '1 c"nso,
yas's main characteristic was his stubbornness.
10 yield, even to reason; was fpr him, 2 disgrace
for this reason. such fire and enthusiasm that,
Notwithstanding that many other Spanish poll.
tor. none had his great parliamentary success.
The important thing was not what he said. but
and was greatly helped by a strong voice, which
resonnded. when he spoke. through the House
iiamentary debate. When his speeches We're
read afterward. dull and plain and containing
many obsolete words. 1t was hard to understand
how they could have such a wonderful effect on
Canoyas believed that the spaniards ought to
be ruled by force. In his first historical work
youth, he expressed some liberal ideas, of which
Tx hllOrWdIu Tcpcnlcl' ne Sdlu hIterWhru lndJ
the only mistake OF the Kings of the House of
Austria was in involving Spain in foreign wars,
and that aside from this they ruled the Span.
iards in the stern manner through which alone
the nation could be made happy.
Such a man in his public life, Canovas was by
a singular contrast. exactly the reverse in pri.
waite, life. He married, late in life, o woman
much younger than himself, who is said to have
had a powerful influence over him. When he
was a bachelor his valet, an old man whom he
knew when he first went to Madrid as a poor
student, was his tutor. When Cunovas
came home late he chattcd with the
valet like a child. He never dressed
but as tho valet wished. and many times no
confessed that he was greatly afraid OF him.
With his intimate friends he was overland, and
they all loved him as few men are loved. His
friends presented TO him the handsome house in
which he lived in Madrid, and before his mar.
riaRe he had already a large fortune from their
bounty.
The man who told Canovas that he was a
1 great poet-although his verses are really void