The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-07
THE LATIN REPUBLICANS,
ITALY. SPAIN AND PORTUGAL UNDER
MINED ny THEIR INTRIGUES.

ROME, July 2U,-The question has been asked
in many places why the Quirinal has ragged
with n]anclcss Ncronic tyranny against tho Re-
publicans and the Catholics suspected OF Re-
publican iutriRues. As events develop in Eu-
rope and America this mystery Of iniauity ia
explained. The cruel severity even can be un-
dcrstood with which, after order Is reestab-
lished, the italian Government continues to
strike Republicans and Catholics suspected Of
Republicanism. Besides the need OF raising
high barriers against the anti-dynastic torrent
and the general discomfort, besides the mpeTa-
tive necessity of giving an example that shall
not be forgotten, the Quirlnal fears the recoil OF
the Republican ideas in Spain and In Portugal.
The reports of its agents are not rose colored.
In Portugal the Republican party liz organizing
for the day when the republic. established in
Spain in consequence OF the defeats in Cuba or
OF a shameful peace. shall drag Portugal into
the same whirlpool. The house OF Braganza,
like the Spanish and italian monnrchies. has
undergone Il deep depreciation. Constitutional
dynOsties have become the source OF I'M
paralleled dccadence. The Catholics. notwith-
standing their principles of obedience, feel and
begin to say themselves that these reduced and
Snslaved powers are merely elements Of dig
organization and Of ruin. Italy hud the fairest
OF fortunes. Caressed and supported by general
opinion. protected by the strongest powers.
~ " N'li INV "'AIA tuNON "
ished tho world by its fruitful virility il 1t had
been provided with organs of national life.
Italy has fallen the full length of Calvary
through the lack of skill of its Governments and
the exploitation OF the bulk of its people by an
oligarchy without conscience and without POI
litical honesty.
In the Latin countries parliamentarism i'm
ported from abroad has become the coat of
Nessus that has burned the loins of the nations.
f.l4A 80 49,
shaving the poor people, left in ignorance. by
loading them down with crushing taxes. these
are the general causes Of the Republican move
ment. In Italy the elements Of organic disso-
LUTON have been complicated with the false
mathematical unity. Instead OF a confedcracy
that could be brought into agreement with Il
great central power, with the genius of the race
and the traditions Of history, and also. We may
say, with the regular workings of the Supreme
Pontihcatc, the Quirinal has established the
French unity. which, proceeding from the work
OF athousand years, represents u national power
and hegemony, whereas in Italy this form OF
power was merely a foolish and injurious ex-
crescence.
Misery and famine in Italy, the Spanish
American war, the criminal hlunders COM
mitted by the monarchical Government in
Madrid. the live and close connection between
Republicans in Spain and Portugal. the com
muuity Of aims and Of efforts of all Latin Re-
publicans. these are the near. the immediate
causes Of the great Republican movement.
The Quirinul seems to feel sure that the Repub-
lican chiefs Of the three countries are only
awaiting n signal to found in the three coun-
tries u Latin republic under the protection o.
the French Republic. At any rate. King Hum
bert has sent the warship Piemonte to the
harbor Of Lisbon with the mission of protect
ing the Queen mother. Maria Pin, a relative Of
the Quiriral and a Piedmontese.
These terrors and panics of the Quirinal will
not seem exaggerated to the clear-sighted and
impartial observer. Dynastic Italy has nc
longer on its side the protection OF the Triple
Alliance and the possession Of power. 1t has
against it the Pope, the general interests OF the
Church, the genius Of the nation. the tradition
OF centuries. misery. ruin. universal popular
dislike. Spain seems better protected against
q sudden attack. The Pope has rallied arounC
the throne the living forces of the nation
The monarchies are mounting guard about
the poor Queen Regent. But Spanish parlia.
mcntarism. we must declare. has been incapa.
Bile Of protting by the collaboration of Leo XIII
aud the advantages OF an enviable position
Conservatives and Liberals have both treated
the country like a rich farm of which the mos
must be made. In Spain as in the Antilles
corruption and personal profit have been erect
cd into rules and practices OF the Government
The insolent bureaucracy. the rapacious ia
voritism, the incapacity OF politicians. the swal
lowing up Of all the living forces OF the nation
by the Unsuitable a%ppetites OF rings have
stripped and impoverished the country. TIL,
conduct Of the war has laid bare the whole in
competence and negligence OF the constitutional
parties. They have not organized the country
they have disorganized it. Add to these too rea
facts the feeling spreading more and more tina
the parliamentary system of foreign importation
is the octopus Of the European States, and |
may reasonably be feared that the monarch
may not pass safely through the crisis througI
which it is struggling and bruising itsell
What can the Pope do, what can the relate
monarchies do against the force OF events an,
the inteXible logic OF history? The Gospel
have spoken the sentence OF damnation O
everything that produces evil.
Portugal Is free at this moment from a vic
lent crisis. The immediate causes of the re
publican movement are less active. but on &C
count OF its propinquity and its common inter
ests 1t will have to enter the general dance
The BraganZa dynasty has not kept its prom
ises. Like every strictly constitutional Euro
pean monarchy, it has become a power OF dis
organization. 1t governs with habits of absc
lutism and with parliamentary principles {
tho same time. That is the coupling
two scourges and two causes OF weakness
These hctions of government, this purel
bureaucratic mechanism. this dispersio
OF forces in wirepulling and i~ntriRues al
the tomb OF dynasties and perhaps OF nj
tons. The Portuguese Catholics likewise b.
gin TO perceive that these political mixture
and plunderings are a violation OF all diviI
aud human laws. They have tried sever
times to break the ancient bond with the o.
parties in order to work for the uplifting
their fatherIand. In this shaking Of all polit
cal foundations will the house OF Braganza |
fortunate enough to withstand a strong repul
hcan onset coming either from Spain or frol
the lower classes OF Portugal itself2
Tile incredible manner in which the Cover
ments have managed the Cuban incident leaC
men Of sagacity to believe that Latin Ere
masonry has decreed the establishment OF Il
Latin republics, In that case the Kings ha,
merely TO call Louis PhiIippe's cab; they a