Year: 1872

The Spanish Elections.


Our news dispatches from Spain this MORN
ing are more than ordinarily interesting. The
elections, from the government standpoint,
are making satisfactory progress. The
prospects Of the opposition do not look SO
bright as at one time they did. The members
Of the Electoral College have been chosen,
and SO far as the figures reported warrant us
to come to any conclusion, the result must be
regarded as a gain to the government. 1t is
believed that five hundred and fifty Presidents
and two thousand one hundred and sixty-two
Secretaries of Electoral Colleges have been
elected In the government interest. The
opposition, or what is called tue coalition,
claims two hundred and seventy-two Presi-
dents and one thousand two hundred and
six!y-one Secretaries. The city of Madrid
was carried by the coalitionists; but the
ministerialists feel emboIdened to conclude
that in the lower branch Of the Cortes they
must have at least two hundred and seventy
Deputies


So far as the elections have progressed
they justify the conclusion which we ex-
pressed some days ago-that there was fair
prospect of government victory. The Elec-
toral College by an enormous majority is on
the government side. Five hundred and fifty
Presidents, as against two hundred and
seventy-two, and two thousand one hundred
and sixty two Secretaries, as against one
thousand two hundred and sixty-one, make
the matter so plain that even doubters must
begin to believe. If the elections turn out as
these figures indicate it will not be difficult
for Amadeus to maintain his position and to
put some vigor into the government machine.
He can count with safety on Serrano and the
unionists. He can count also with safety
on Sagasta and his section Of the progressists
These two parties represent the pith and mar
row of Spain. Against them are arrayed the
cans, the Carlsts, the Alphonssts and those
who adhere to the banner of the Duke Of
Montpensier, an apparently formidable band
The opposition band, however, when carefully
examined, will be found more formidable in
seeming than in reality. 1t is notorious that
although Gorilla is opposed to Sagasta he is
not unfriendly towards the X Ing, and he is
pledged to the constitution Of 1869. 1t is be-
lleved by some that he and his party have 80
broken with the Sagastinos that an alliance
with them and the republicans Is all but certain
Against this erriniga ws must put the words Of
Gorilla himself, who only q few days ago de-
clared that he and his party stood by the King
and the constitution of 1869. 1t Is difficult to
see how united, vigorous opposition could
be composed of such heterogeneous materials
as Carlists, Alphonsists, Montpensierists and
republicans. The anti government party in
the next Cortes will no doubt be numerous,
but as it will be party not united, it will and
must be weak AS we have said before, IL the
returns give the government two hundred and
seventy Deputies in the lower house there will
present.


At the same time we would not have II
thought that Spain has yet found an end to her
political troubles. The disaffected parties are
numerous and powerful. Each party is more
bent on pushing Its own interests than in
advancing the interests Of their common coun-
try. Party fighting will continue; local in
surrections may take place; but as the strong
est combination must rule the presumption is
that Amadeus will yet have chance to give
proof of what metal he is made. He went to
Spain at Spain's request. Ho is not unwilling
to retire il Spain wills it. But until Spain
does SO will it his hand, as the hand of
brave man, must remain on the plough and
there must not be any looking back In the
long run the republicans must win but Spain
does not yet seem sufficiently trained to claim
republican rights and enjoy republican privi-
leges.