New-York tribune., 1908-07-20
bLFONSOSCLEVER MOVE
Royat Tribute to the Republican
Leader CASTELAR,.

Copyright 1875 By the Brentwood Company
King Alfonso has once again given evidence of
sasacfsv far beyond hi. years by not only de-
creeing the transfer OF the body OF Emilio Cas-
,eisr the Church of st Francis the Great. but
,n likewise travelling all the way from his country
seat at La GranJa. Madrid by motor, in order
90 attend the ceremony OF the inhumation in this
national pantheon of Spain. For Castelar, was
not only of the most celebrated orators and
shie statesmen Of the Peninsula, but likewise
throughout his life unccmpromising and ardent
Republican the leader, IN fact OF the Republican
party from 1856, and earlier. until the day Of
his death in 1888. He OF the chief actors
IN the revolution which brought about the over
throw of the monarchy in 1865 strenuousiy opposed
the offer Of the Spanish Crown two years later to
various foreign princes beginning with Prince Leo
pold of Hohenzolerr. and ending with Prince
Amadeus of Italy. Duke OF Aosta. was consistent
foe of the latter throughout his reign at Madrid.
md OF Amedeus'e abdication became Prince Min
lister of the second Spanish Republic He availed
himself of his tenure of power as such to effect
the abolition Of slavery in Porto Rico. and when
he Bourbon dynasty restored in the early
part 1875. under Alfonso XII. he took his seat
in the Cortes the acknowledged chief Of the
Republican party.
That party became very powerful toward the
close Of the reign Of King Alfonso XII-indeed,
powerful enough have brought about once again
the overthrow OF the Bourbons when Queen Chris
tina then cnmpar ratively unknown and extremely
unpopular. as a foreigner. found herself invested
with supreme power Regent, for her little Six
vear-old daughter who had succeeded 10 the crown
ae Queen Mercedes. Alfonso XIII being born only
six months later, posthumous child
An extraordinary arrangement then took place
among The leaders OF the three great pohticai
rar:ie. at Madrid which deserves TO be recalled
here not only by reason OF its unusual character
but likewise because il illustrates that strain OF
ohivalry which of the most attractive traits
in the national character Of Spain. Canovas Del
Castillo leader OF the Conservatives. and himself
the eacfionary Of statesmen, was in once as
Prime Minister Realizing the critical situation
hy which the monarchy confronted. he called
into council his lifelong adversary. Sagasta, chief
of the Liberals, and also CASTELAR,, and submitted
them that il would be unsenerous to take any
political advantage of the helpessnees of the young
widowed Queen, of little Queen Mercedes and OF
the child still unborn. He declared that an
evidence of bis sentiments and of those Of the
Conservatives in the matter he had. after con-
sultation with his colleagues, decided TO surrender
Office the Liberals recommending Sagasta as
their chief TO effect then and there some sort OF
truce with CASTELAR, and the Republicans. to
tide at any rate the first years OF Christmas
regency. Sagasta, after consultation with his
friends and principal followers. agreed TO under
take the task of forming government, and at the
time drew up programme of Liberal re- .
of such extensive character and Of so far
reaching nature, to which he pledged himself and
his party. that CASTELAR, forced TO admit that
the Republicans. under the most favorable
circumstances. could not better at any rate
without plunsng the country into bloodshed and
civil
The trifins fact that tine Conservatives had an |
overwhelming majority in the Cortes did not matter
wey another interfere with the execution |
of this arrangement For, whereas in most par /
lsmentary countries the power of a new
Cabinet is the result of victory q general cleo
tion. in Spain the general election is the logical
result of the formation of Cabinet, follows |
the construction Of the latter, and by virtue of /
management the part of the authorities always |
ends in victory OF the administration at the polls.
The truce thus arranged between CASTELAR, and |
Ssgasta was Loyalty kept by the former. and Queen
Christina at any during the early years of
her regency wholly free from any anxiety
the score Of the Republicans. who particularly
strong in towns and cities and in the great indus
trial and manufacturing districts of the north of
Spain Indeed, the truce may be said to have
dured the majority Of tire present King. since
the Republicans took advantage Of the oppor-
that with America in 1895 II is no exaggeration. |
in short that King Alfonso XIII is large
ly indebted for the possession OF his throne TO-
dsy the generous forbearance of CASTELAR, during
his childhood, and his royal acknowledgment Of
the debt by ordering the inhumation of the great |
Republican leaders body in the national Pan
theon and his presence at the ceremony are
calculated still further conciliste the Repub-
cans and 10 them reflect that after all the
young monarch is imbued with sentiments both
progressive and liberal and honestly bent doing
the very best possible for his people and for his
country.