The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-24

Within the next few days an event was to
occur in Madrid which destroyed the possibility
Of founding q durable foreign dynasty In Spain.
The session OF the Cortes on Dec. 81 had been
marked by violent denunciation OF the new re-
gime on the part Of the opposition. In vain had
Prim argued and pleaded; his efforts to shield
the sovereign whose advent he impatiently
awaited were but imperfectly successful. La
boring under great excitement, Gen. Prim, in
company with two aides-de-camp. left the
Cortes after dark to drive to the War
Office. As the carriage entered a mar
row street, the Gale del Turco. 1t was
stopped by q party Of armed men, and
the General was fired upon at close range. The
assault was SO sudden and unexpected that not
even an attempt was made to seize the aggres-
sor. who promptly took to flight. Nine shots had
taken effect; covered with blood. the General
sank into the arms OF an aide-de-camp while
the carriage was driven at full gallop to his
house. In spite Of the gravity Of the wounds
and the necessary amputation Of his fingers,
the doctors did not at first apprehend a
fatal termination. On the third day, how
ever. fever ensued. and in the evening OF
Dec. 80. only a few hours before the arrival of
the Italian prince, upon whose brow he had
labored SO persistently to place the crown,
Prim expired. Tho first news which greeted
Amadeus when his frigate cast anchor In the
harbor OF Cartagena was that OF the assassi-
nation OF the man to whom he had expected TO
turn for guidance and advice. Moreover. It
was but too evident that II even Prim had
met with death at the hands Of his political adj
versaries for the part he had played in attempt
ing to bring peace to his distracted country,
there could be but little doubt that q foreign
ruler whose importation was 30 bitterly re-
scented would. from the outset. become the
target OF every discontinued person in the
realm. Yet Amadeus hesitated not a moment.
Turning to those around him. he exclaimed:
Gentlemen. my duty Is clear; let us get on to
Madrid" Passing the night at Aranjuez. where
his reception by the populace was cold and for
bidding. the King reached the capital about
noon on Jan. 2. 1871. A state carriage was In
waiting to convey him to the Cortes, but
he signiled his intention Of entering the
city on horseback. Again. when 1t be-
came evident to him that care was being
taken TO surround him 30 as to prevent any
possible contact with the crowd the King babe
all his attendants to fall back. and rode alone
several PAGES In advance Of them. From the
railway station Amadeus went directly TO the
church where the remains Of Prim lay In state,
and thence proceeded to the Cortes, where he
took the oath and received tho homage OF his
new subjects.
The first official act OF the new ruler was the
belecClOn II u ministry lne IOrIndIlOn OF winch
was naturally intrusted to the late regent,
Marshal Serrano. The Marshal gathered around
him a Cabinet comprising representatives OF
the various Liberal Monarchical factions.
among whom Ruiz-Zorrilla. Martos. Sagasta,
and Moret may be especially mentioned. In
the new Cortes. which met on April 3. 1871.
there was a considerable ministerial majority.
and the political atmosphere seemed less dan
Gerously charged with the elements OF storm
than had been anticipated. The brief lull.
however. was soon followed by violent con-
~troversy and bitter recrimination patriotism
was thrown to the winds in the wild attempts to
harass the foreigner" whose aid and counsel
had been 30 recently invoked. TIL truth is
that. in 1871. the Spanish people was but Ill pre-
pared TO appreciate the advantages OF a liberal
Government. 1t must also be recognized. In
view OF the vast influence exercised by the
priesthood In Spain. that Amadeus was GrisV-