The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-06-15

journalistic writing, he was able to go q
he University of Madrid. The young
an prepared himself for an educational
career. Soon after he had finished his
work as student an examination was
held to MI the professorhip Of history
and philosophy In the university he
carried OF tbs prize over the heads of all
OF his older competitors and became a Tall
fiedged professor in one of the oldest uni.
vsrsities In Europe at the age Of 20.
Like almost every change in his career,
Cetelar's first appearance in public life
was made under dramatic CIRCUMSTANCES.
de had gone to attend Liberal meetip z
in the Theatre del Oriente. Az that time
he had never made a speech in hts life
and did not know that he could make
one. But, as thssmeeting progressed, he
became so exoited that no rushed to he
tribune aud delivered an address which
set the audience wild with enthuiasm.
man, and, moe Important, IL revealed
him to himself. 1t led TO his employ.
ment on the most important liberal paper
| In Madrid. Two years later he founded
paper of his own, La DvmocrAcia
BY his speeches and writings CASTELAR,
helped to bring about the revolution OF
| 1866. When that failed his paper was
suppressed and he was condemned to
death. He received warming. however, In
time TO escape Into Switzerland. Two
years later he returned to become the lead.
or Of the Republican party. Two Other
young leaders who have since played i'm.
portapt parts in their country's history
were included under tbs same, ban with
CASTELAR,. They were Sagasta nnd
Marttos. In one Tof the most powerful
speeches he ever made i heard CASTELAR,
refer to this fact. and he pointed out as
showing the progress of liberal principles
that Senior Sasasta was at that moment
the Prime Minister of the country.
CASTELAR, became President wnen the
republic was already doomed. IL any
man could have saved 1t ne would have
done So. He did save the country from
civil and foreign war. and prevented !,
from being torn to pieces before he was
second time driven into exile by the
placing Of Alphonso XII. on the throne.
Though CASTELAR, was q thorough going
Republican he was never plotter or ex
tremist He would never consent to TURF
his country's difficulties TO party advant
nge. There was an example OF this In this
recent war. Twenty Thousand Republi
cans signed an address pledgine him
their support II he would declare a repub
| lie. Castelar's answer was to 20 into the
Cortes and take the oath among the Mon
arohists.
"Castelar's studies Is well as his earlier
experiences had convinced him that NJ
republic could stand until the people had
mastered the principles of liberty and
| freedom. As he said 30 me once, he be.
lieved That the republic would come, not
only in Spain but all over Europe. But.
he added, 1t will CONS by evolution, not
by revolution His formula for popular
/ government was,
Educate the people. give them uni.
versal suffrage: then let them decide for
themselyes-a slow but sure process
Americans especially may well join
with the people of Spain in mourning the
loss Of the great statesman. For Ameri.
can institutions ana for the American
people CASTELAR, always had the greatest
regard and warmest admiration. He
spoke of 1t as the great country, the
land OF freedom the champion of peace.
| He was one of the best informed men In
Europe on the history and institutions Of
the United States. / fhave skheard hin
speak with a great longing. as though Il
was one OF the dreams of his life, OF his
wish to visit our country and TO see fol
himself and face to face the peop lie who
had wrought out such q great work In ths
| western continent.
"Once in his life CASTELAR, was instru.
mental IN averting war between his coun
try and the United States. That was In
| 1874, when he was President of Spain ant
Minister Of Foreign Affairs. The shiI
Virginius was taken of the coast OF Cub
while conveying a party of American
| filibusters to the island. Some of thess
We're summarily executed by the Spanlsi
authorities. Those.of us who have passed
middle age remember well what an up
roar the affair caused. The newspaper
denounced the outrage. Public speaker
clamored for war; Gen. Sickles, tn,
American Minister to Spain, was read,
to demand his passports In Spain til,
feeling was scarcely less intense. Th,
Americana had been caught in an attempt
to aid the Cuban insurgents, and thsr,
was popular demand that they shoule
| suffer for it Every tone of Castelar,
Ministers held this attitude, but neither
ciamor nor influence caused him to los
ais head. he promptly disavowed til,
act of the Spanish commander and ordered
that full reparation be made
This act coming ut crit
ioal moment and Drawing popu
lar disapproval, entities CASTELAR, to rec
| ognition as discerning statesman VIII
had his country's welfare rather than bill
own popularity at heart"