New-York tribune., 1906-07-28

=, write OF the inquisitiOn without bitterness
q, bring the operations to calm analysis. 70
.sstr mt its origin ana reason for being in the
-,sisions OF the time and to trace its influence
:, che mental constitution OF the Spanish peo-
-,s-x1eh Is the task to which Dr. Lea brings
- experience OF a born investigator and the
..n,se and dignity of a trained historian. Not
=, the hand TO paint those brilliant scenes
,s-ough which Prescott's idealized figures move:
i. hts the passionate love OF liberty that made
,r,,,uv's pages glow with righteous wrath
T-ssng endless patience he has sifted a mass Of
-,a4erial inaccessible TO his predecessors IN or
-,r 70 throw Mgat upon the construction and
--srton OF a tribunal whose significance lay
-. N The tragic fate OF certain individuals or
!, ehe spectacular execution OF multitudes than
.. .tbe silent influence exercised by its inces-
can't and secret labors among the mass Of the
.,,,o and in the limitations which 1t placed
= ne Spanish intelIect-in the resolute con-
~v,tisn with which il held the nation In the
-,eaievaI groove and untitled it for the exercise
- rational liberty when the nineteenth century
s-,ueht in the inevitable revolution"
me period ushered in by Ferdinand and Isa-
al. vas one OF Iawlessness and disorder drift
,,v toward anarchy. The feudal system had
,.ssea TOO long. Loyalty and patriotism were
a.aa Justice was market commodity. and life
and uroperty were without security. Ferdinand
-4fhout being a truly great man, is pronounced
.be greatest monarch Of the age. Cautious
ali poised pitiless in matters Of policy, he en-
soaxored 10 establish his throne in an absolut-
,-n from which reotitude and justice were not
always absent. He vas ably seconded by Isa-
bena. who floats in history in a maze Of exag-
qsrated ideaIism. but who possessed the quail
ifies that fitted her to be the counterpart Of
her capable and energetic husband In the
etruerle with disorder the formation of brother
hoo5s or associations for the maintenance Of
,ubiic peace and private rights was a potent
instrumentality and engaged the best efforts of
the monarchs, while the control OF the great
military orders contributed largely 70 their
roWer While the Crown was thus taking actual
charge Of the machinery Of government it was
impossible for the polite Ferdinand and the
r1ous Isabella 10 neglect the interest Of the
faith or which, according to the belief Of the
sav. al social order rested. Yet It would be an
error 10 believe with some that the inquisition
Eas but a political engine for the conversion
q Spain from a medieval feudal monarchy to
a modern absolutism. It has been rather attrib-
uted 70 national popularity requiring the state
70 represent Cod and demanding unity. not a
freedom. of faith.
The intolerance toward the Jews, who formed
large and important part OF the population,
vas instigated by the Church. and became
impressive factor in the national existence as
that indornitable people Increased in wealth and
power As taxes and prohibitions multiplied
AGAINST them many escaped these evils by sub
hitting 10 baptisul-in such numbers, in fact, as
70 create a new class, that Of converted Jews.
there was as yet antagonism Of race, only
one OF religion. Hundreds Of thousands were
ounVerted. With wealth and culture and the en-
e1gy OF the race the new converts aspired to
the highest places in the state and married into
the noblest families. In time there were few OF
tie nobility Of Spain who were not more or less
nearly connected with the Jew. A strain OF that
hood was found in the veins OF Ferdinand the
Catholic. and Torquemada, The first inquisitor
general was Of Jewish descent But the
zEiiiry Of their rise was the undoing Of the
converts
Their success showed that thus far there had
s zen 10 aniagoRism Of race but only OF religion
which as apostates they lavished on the faithful
sons Of Israel reacted on themselves. It i'm
possible TO stimulate popular abhorrence Of the
JeE without at the same uTne stimulating the envy
sna jealousy excited by the ostenta ton and ar
fogsnee Of The New Christians What was the
use q hgniliating and EXTERN mating the Jew II
ing the people as taX-gatherers but were to bear
Fae IN court and camp and church?
And so the old relations between Jew and
Christian were changed. Fanaticism and in
tolerance were aroused and kept alive. the
pulpit taught that kindness to the Jew a
sin until gradually the Spanish character
changed until II was prepared to accept the
laquisition, which by q necessary reaction slim
uated the development OF bigotry-" The long
and painful history Of Jewish persecution in
spain reached a climax in their expulsion from
ne kingdom by Ferdinand and Isabella.
,s WIN tie surrender Of Granada in January. 1872
5eS&orK 55eS &orK q reconquest was accomplished The
Their WORK To- @ WIZ 1T ta so sccesaS % son oS e Tic6
s1ntory, and Industrious Moorish population
s. Ae cessation Of the drain OF the war, even
-.s-lAerd might persuade himself that the Jews
sle 70 longer financially indispensable. The pop
Re, tsanalcis-ll required constant repression 70
-p ne peace; the operation Of the lnqusiuon de-
b-sse ib-ysea the nope that gradual conversion would
Ag ABOUT the desired unity Of faith, and the only
- without q miraculous change Of heart, be ex-
apon baptism. II is easy thus to understand the
5Eo-ges leading 70 the measure, without attribut,
ssalta for though. as We shall see. there are
whole ii Vas paipabIT Gndesirabie financially
Step by step. with unerring lcgic the historian
eacs Us through the various phases Of the de-
Felopaient that ended in spiritual slavery. The
SFe is somewhat too cold 20 be captivating
and the profusion Of foreign words is somewhat
1Atathing 70 the general reader, but always
1iefe is present q sense Of calm dignity, OF re-
H1aee upon authority. Of freedom from heat
sne ezaggeration that creates an impression
mai this work must endure among the authori-
les this epoch.
-AeSuccess Of the converts in attaining high
'-ee in caurch and State naturally made them
mark Of envy and jealousy. Where difference
v creed no longer existed difference Of race
ses emphasized by the suggestion that the con-
.aslon was not genuine-that the New Chris
--ns were only Jews in disguise Hence the
royeaent 10 connuel conformity. and inasmuch
y application must be made 10 Rome for the
Nsesssarv ,7ie-.o,,,,.s, ,t,a rr,5ent sox1areigns