The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-12-22
DON CARLOS, THE PRETENDER.
Facts Upon Which He Bases HIS ciai"' ~
the Spanish Throne.

Facts Upon Which He Bases HIS oiai"' ~
the Spanish Throne.
Since the recent death of Premier
Canovas, who virtually welded tho
scepter of supreme authority in Spaln'
the followers of Don Carlos, grandson
of the original pretender to Inc
Spanish throne, have asserted them,
selves in large numbers, and signs OF
another Carlist uprising are dlstlnc'lJ
manifest.
During the greater part Of the pres,
ent century Spain has been troubled
with repeated efforts on thepart OF the
Carlists to capture the reins OF govern !
ment; and, though each attempt 10
gain this coveted end has slgnally
failed. the cost of subduing the Car
lists into temporary submission has
been something immense. In view
of the likelihood of another uprising at
some time in the near future, it IS per-
tinent to inquire into the facts upon
which the present Don Carlos grounds
his claim to the Spanish throne.
What is known as the Carllst party
in Spain originated with the first Don
Carlos during the early part OF the
present century. This Don Carlos was
a brother to Ferdinand VII of Spaln'
and next in order of succession pro
vided Ferdinand should die without
male issue. In spite Of three mar
riages Ferdinand was left childless;
but finally, as the result OF a fourth
union, daughter was born to MN.
Under the old salique law daughter
could not inherit the crown, and Don
Carlos reioiced therefore in the
prospect of his early accession to his
brothers throne. This feeling or
satisfaction was, however, soon con-
verified into one Of disappointment and
, chagrin by repeal of the old sallque
4 law and the adoption of what was
e commonly known as the natura! rule
of descent, permitting any child to
q inherit the crown, Don Carlos entered
l.. his protest against this abrogat;on and
0 as the result of his refusal to accept
d it, suffered Punishment to the PapaI
states in 1888. On the death OF Ferdl'
nand in the same year the lnfanta
Maria Isabella was declared queen, but
r Don Carlos Immediately set up MS
v own claims to the throne, which III
i declared of right belonged to him.
Il In the assertion of this claim Dol
IS Carlos was warmly supported by tn
IS king of Portugal, and by royal ret
T. niue of intrepid followers at home
70 His claim was rejected, however, b.
the Spanish cortes and also by tn
k quadruple alliance of Spain, Portugal
X France and England, which not onl
in compelled Don Carlos to betake him
m self to some remote place OF refug
beyond the borders Of the kingdom
- but also compelled Dom Miguel tn
10 10 king of Portugal, to surrender hi
% crown as the price of his folly IN SUI
~ porting the Spanish pretender. DO
~ Carlos found safe retreat at Bourge
~ in France, where he surrounded hin
W. ~. self with the emulated pomp of tn
~ Spanish court and haughtily assume
La La the title of Charles V of Spain. Dc
, ao Carlos died in 1855, leaving his In
W aeinarv crown to Don, Carlos tt
q Younger, who renewed his father
u ~ claim to the Spanish throne under II
w title of Charles VI. This second pr
W tender made various attempts to pc
sess himself of the crown OF Spal
-, but in each one of them failed ign
,d miniously.
su' The present Don Carlos, who styl
81 himself Charles VII, is grandson
-. the original pretender, and son of D.
DC. Juan, brother of Don Carlos t
. 49, Younger. He was born in lS4o, a
VIZ VIZ first asserted his claim to tie Spanl
10 10 throne on the abdication OF HI
wv wv Amadeo in 1878. In the northe
W." provinces of Navarro and Biscay
ich Secured many warm followers, but
rb+ effort to capture the throne ended,
3oJ did the effort Of his predecessors,
,rT humiliating failure. Don Car
effected his escape, but the provin
,1a of Navarro and Biscay were strip
of their feudal privileges and 9th
:, wise punished for supporting the
10, tender.
TO Since that time Don Carlos
nus made no serious effort to possess h
u, use self of the Spanish crown, but thi:
1--WE due to the fact that circumstances b
10 been against him. His followers
10y, numerous, however, and, should
'olo again set up his claim, they co
H., easily embarrass the kingdom. ST.
IDLY is in no condition to brook anot
&C.. uprising of the Carlists, and rea
IL ing this fact, Don Carlos may
me renew his claim to the throne of
hing aua o Wbotover tnrn q fairs
oio' take, the situation in Spain at
. en- time is intensely interesting. -Atl'
,i''' Constitution.