The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-08-20
THE EMANCIPAT0R OF SLAVES
rhundered Against Grave Abuses
of the Monarchy
N A DEMOCRATIC NEWSPAPER
Is an Orator of the First Rank
and a Bachelor.

The most interesting, perhaps the
most important, man in Madrid is
Emilio CASTELAR,, the stateman who lib
Grated the slaves of Porto Rico, who
conducted the delicate negotiations
growing out of the Virginius filibuster-
ing expedition of 1873, and who, as
president Of the republic in Spain, COM
manded at once the respect of friendly
nations and the enthusiastic support of
Liberals at home, says Poultney Bige-
low in Harper's Weekly.
Mr.. CASTELAR, today unites about his
table all that is most interesting in
the Spanish capital, excepting the i'm
mediate court circle, which of course
could not openly appear to countenance
an avowed republic. 1t is worth noting
in parenthesis that socially Spain enjoys
more political liberty than Germany, in
the sense that man in Madrid who
avows sentiments in opposition to the
government does not on that account
necessarily fall under boycott SO Sc
we're as to forbid all people loyal to the
government from frequenting his house.
have In mind several instances of
notable Germans who, in consequence of
voting against measure of the govern
ment, have been wholly ostracized by
not merely the court, but by the army,
the officials, the learned professions, and
even the members of the diplomatic
corps in Berlin.
1t is safe to say that if CASTELAR, were
a German he would in Berlin be forced
to live as much out Of the world as If
he had been smitten with the plague.
His house is on the beautiful Avenue
Serrano, in the upper part Of the town,
near to the French embassy and the
present residence of General Woodford.
] first had the pleasure of meeting the
grand old Republican through the med;-
alton Of common friend and member
Of the Golden club. was shown into
an ante-chamber so filled with treasures
of curious and beautiful bric-a-brac that
was lost in pleasant admiration while
the maid carried my card to her busy
master.
Soon he appeared-a sight shall not
readily forget; frank, strong face, with
brilliant, penetrating eyes that seemed
always dancing with disposition to
smile. His nose is such as I usually
find on strong men-not so large as the
striking ono of Paul Kruger, but re-
minding me somewhat Of that on the
= great Baron Stein. Anywhere on pub
lie thoroughfare I should have stopped
to look twice at CASTELAR,, for his yery
carriage suggests an uncrowned king.
He has been Cromwell of Spain-for
brief period, it is true, but still
period long enough to stamp his name
in history as the first to make his coun-
try great without cruelty, and strong
without the destruction of personal lib
erty.
1t is now "a years ago that CASTELAR,
thundered against the abuses of the
monarchy in his famous paper called
the Democracy. He was then but So
years Of age, having been born in 1882.
His devotion to popular rights cost him
dearly, for the government punished
him by turning him out of professor
ship he then held at the Madrid uni
versity. Undeterred by this, the young
politician seized the first opportunity
that offered itself for proving the sin
cerity Of his Republican principles. and
In 1866 he was condemned to death for
having taken part in fights on the barri-
cades against the government. Fortu-
nately for us, he escaped across the from
tier in time The fear of death has no
place in Castelar's philosophy, and when
therefore such a man openly preached
the doctrines of the Golden club. Peace.
goodwill, free trade among nations"
no one can accuse him of shirking war
from fear of shouldering musket.
Mr.. CASTELAR,, when I first met him
last year, regarded war between the
United States and Spain as an absurdity
"a monstrosity. The very idea he
secuted as unworthy the serious thought
of educated people. He deplored at that
time the lingo spirit that was being cul-
t1Vated by certain section of the
Spanish press, but assured me that the
great bulk of the educated people want
ed peace and home rule for Cuba.
Castelar's drawing room is, if possible,
more richly furnished than the one into
which l was at first ushered. Here are
precious paintings by old masters, vases,
bits OF armor, carvings, tapestries from
the far East, as well as Europe; not a
single thing that does not indicate selec-
tion by connoisseur with ample means
TO crafty his tastes. OF course his
study was the most interesting room in
the house to me. and he took me in to