The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-24
THE SUN, SUNDAY, JULY "a, 1898.

gravity than the possible discomfort Of q few
oficers therefore Amadeus unwillingly yielded
to the representations OF his Minister, and
signed the commission. No sooner did It be-
come known that HidalGo had received the APP
pointment than the entire artillery corps ten
dered their designations. The situation at once
became serious. especially as a majority OF tho
artillery officers stationed in Madrid were
known to attend meetings at the house of q
violent opponent Of the emancipation policy
OF the ZorrillA Government. All attempts at
a compromise were skilfully subverted by
those Interested in aggravating the political
passions on both sides. The resiRna-
tons were accepted and immediate steps
taken for the reorganization OF the
corps. The superior grades In the artillery
we're filed by transfers from the engineers and
infantry. while serGeants we're promoted to be
company officers. h fear was widespread
that the other arms would follow the example
OF tho artillery. and that the country would. In
consequence. be left defenceless. Placed In
this unfortunate position. Amadeus was be-
lieved TO contemplate demanding the resigna-
ton Of the Cabinet and making an appeal to
the Conservatives for support. Time, how
ever, was not allowed the King to put the
project attributed to him into e1ecu-
ton. TIL Cabinet, anticipating difficult
ties at tho palace. submitted the matter
to the Cortes during the session OF Feb. z. 1873.
and. having obtained a vote OF confidence, pre-
sented tn the King the decree for the dissolu-
ton OF tho artillery corps under circumstances
which left his Majesty no alternative but to
sign 1t. Finding himself thus tricked by his
advisers into following q course which his better
judgment condemned. and realizing in the
moral and political d~isorRanization OF the army
the futility Of further effort, Amadeus on Feb. g
announced to Senior Zorrilla his determination
to abdicate. Toward the evening Of the follow
ing day 1t began TO be noised about that the
King had intimated o desire to renounce the
crown. and the matter was eagerly dis
cussed In the theatres and clubs. On Mon
day morning Feb. 10Y several newspapers con-
hrmed the report, and. during the course
OF the day, signs Of unusual animation and ex-
element were visible In the streets and public
places OF the capital. Enormous crowds had
conRregated around the palace OF the Cortes
when the Chamber Of Deputies met ats o'clock.
sehor Dorrilla, the Prime Minister. admitted
that the King had spoken OF abdication. but de-
clared that nothing could transpirc officially on
so grave a matter until his Majesty had given
the subject more reflection. He requested
the House to suspend it's sittings, but after
a vehement debate the Republican members
persuaded the Chamber TO declare itself in
permanent session. On Tuesday. Feb. IL. tho
abdication message Of the King was read In the
Chamber OF Deputies. In this message he
said: Il realize that nv good intentions have
been In vain. For two long years have I worn
the crown Of Spain, and Spain still lives In con-
tinual strife. departing day by day moro widely
from that era Of peace and prosperity for which
/ have 30 ardently yearned. Had the enemies
to her happiness been foreigners. then. at the
laaA ~ hnr II. A~I ArtnI ,o1IiN..
would have been the first to give them
baltic. But all those who. with sword
and pen and speech. aggravate and per-
petuate the troubles Of the nation, are
Spaniards; they all invoke the hallowed name
Of country: they all strive and labor for its we'll
being; and. amid the din of combat, amid
the confused. appalling and contradictory
clamor OF the contestants. mid so many and
80 widely opposed manifestations OF public
opinion. 1t Is impossible to choose the right,
and still more impossible to find a remedy for
such vast evils. I have earnestly sought a
remedy within the bounds Of aw. Beyond this
limit. he who is pledged to obey the law has no
right to CO."
After the reading Of the abdication message.
the Chamber Of Deputies and the Senate as
sembled in Joint session, the President Of the
former assembly acting as presiding officer Of
the sovereign Cortes. The abdication was ac-
cepted. and a message accepting 1t land express
i've Of regret was voted. Mr.. Whitehouse finds
it easy to trace the eloQuence Of CASTELAR, in the
rounded and hig~h-soundinR sentences of the
address. With such a certificate OF good
conduct In his pocket. Amadeus might aspire to
any throne which happened to be vacant. I'M
less, indeed. he preferred the dignity OF a
citizen IN the midst Of q free and independent
people" This dignity he did prefer, but
amid a nation whose ideas of freedom and
Independence differed materially from those
entertained by their Spanish cousins. and Of
the sincerity Of whose affection he was more
convinced