Year: 1869

When Serrano resumed office few DAYS ago he
made a declaration, the Importance OF which mas
not-so far as / have seen-been dwelt upon. He
said "The Government has no programme, but VIII
be guided by the supreme decision Of the Cortes"
No programmed This meant, if anything. that,
though pledged to monarchy, the Ministry was un-
prepared with a monarch. But it was necessary,
nevertheless, to present constitution. AS the ma
jority IS monarchic the inevitable consequence Is
constitution based upon this principle. For the COM
mttee charged with its preparation and represent
ing the majority, TO bring forward the draft OF
constitution not embodying the principles and the
pledges of that majority would obviously be to VIII
ate the elections and to play the game Of the minor
Ity. Serrano's declaration-made with the candor OF
honesty-was much condemned, because it laid bare
the vulnerable place and gave the Republicans great
advantage Thus, when the Committee was APP
pointed they were able to demonstrate the absurd
ity of empowering any Committee to draft Consti-
tuition for the permanent guidance of the nation,
when there was no agreement as to the ultimate
power the Government was to assume. Rivero's tact
saved the situation. He suggested the appointment
of the Committee at once, without discussing its
competency to deal with them or other delicate
points and that IL should report progress by thus
evading n premature debate upon the fundamental
point he gained time to confer with the members of
the Committee so il can report progress" at its
own convenience But although by this clever per-
formance, one dilemma was Unexpectedly solved. the
more serious one remains of dealing with 1.-THE
fundamental question" Again Riveros tact
saved the situation. 1t is understood now, that he
has suggested the presentation of declaration
merely embodying in a succinct form, what are
styled the bases of the Constitution" These are
the great principles which the revolution of Septem-
In uad 20 boy mi euf-
frage; freedom of speech; liberty Of the press; right
of public meetings. abolition of slavery abolition Of
the death penalty; nviolabity of the person. habeas
corpus and nviolability of domice and correspond
ence; trial by jury and forth. These Sefor Rivero
SAYS are essentials: whether exercised under mon
archie a republican form of government is unim-
portant But those who know SefOr Rivero
are persuaded he is not satisfied with an ar
gument Of this kind, and il it suited the
policy of his political opponents, they would
press him with certain ugly questions respect
ing royal prerogatives" lie would find it most
difficult TO answer. For the present his object is
gained and we shall therefore, in all probability,
find the fundamental question" STAYED of, to be
taken up AZ more convenient season. No one seems
to doubt Sehor Rveros purpose to be the smoothing
Of the way for the establishment of the Republic he
having openly declared his intention to be guided





change; but up to the present time his course
appears to commend itself to those who have most
reason TO feel jealous of his authority and his rapidly
augmenting influence. We shall have exciting debates
when the "bases of the Constitution" presented.
Looking at the composition of the Committee, it is
even difficult 10 conceive that they should come to q
unanimous understanding on any point. The Lib
era- Unionsts-a great misnomer. for they were
never either liberal united-belOng TO that ancient
school of politicians which learns forgets
never forgives. They have always been the deter
mined enemies of progress, the devoted advocates Of
absoutism and the persistent good haters of every
party but their own, but especially of tho Pro-
gressists. Between the latter and them no love is
lost. This party. which born at Cadiz in 1872
has been consistently liberal, without growing in
political intelligence TO the stature of repubcanism
bat comprises many men who incline thitherward.
BY these they touch tho Democratic monarchists,
who are only one remove from the pure Democrats
or Republicans. The Democratic Monarchsts are in
favor Of complete liberty of conscience, and some
desire the separation of the State from the Church.
Senor Oozaga the head of the Progressst party and
of course of the most important men on the Com
mittee. is deadly opposed to liberty Of conscience.
This is notorious fact, established beyond the possl-
bility of disproof by his antecedents How is this
one question of Ia Hbdd dc CoscHos going TO be set
tied IN Committee and in what form will it be pre-
sented to the COrtes in the bases of the COnstu-
tion ~ Violent rs must necessarily be the aterca-
tions in Committee they certain TO be aggravated
in the Chamber. Then the Liberal Unionists. mon
archical by tradition and preudices. are bigots by
education. What amount of religious liberty are
they likely to consent 20, believing that
there is no salvation out of the Church. and no
church but the one Of which the Pope is the head
This question of religious liberty only of the
distracting elements in the center Of the Committee,
and il by feat of strength anything like har-
monious understanding should be preserved in it, the
partisans of the Committee in the Chamber not
pledged to unanmty while the Republicans are GER
tain not to accept the plans Of their opponents with
out scrutiny.


You photographed, ON tho bth of last month.
that the draft of the new constitution contained
clause declaring that slavery should not be tolerated
nor encouraged ia any part Of the Spanish posses
sions 1t is the fifth clause, and will DO embodied in
the basis of the Constitution" Upward of 400
pettions for the immediate abolition Of slavery are
ready for presentation, but the emancipation leaders
in the Cortes deem it desirable to wait until the
question comes on formally Tor discussion. before
they present their own Amendments, sustained by
these petitions The people are mad about Cuba.
The general cry is that it must DO preserved at
anv risk. 80 tho moment for submitting any
proposition for the abolition Of Slavery Is most un-
proptious. We were informed by telegraph on the
2sth Of last month that the Portuguese Chambers
had, the previous day. decided to abolish slavery
throughout the domnons of Portugal There have
been what called portaras or procamations pro-
hibitlng the introduction of slaves in those colonies
which were free from them but there remained An
COLA, Benzuela, and Mozambique, the latter on the
east coast the former tho south coast of Africa,