Year: 1872

No one will neglect to read the remarkable
letter which we publish this morning from our
regular correspondent in Madrid, Don Emilio
CASTELAR,. 1t ia the most complete and graphic
presentation of the present condition OF poll
tics in Spain which has been put in print.
The intrigues of the Liberal Union, the plans
of the Radicals, the fanlticsm and superstition
Of the CaIlsts, and the unflinching and con-
sistent radicalsm of the Federal Republicans,
are all traced by the ablest and most unerring
hand in the Peninsula. SenOr CASTELAR, also
refers with equal frlnkness and dehcacy to
those unfortunate palace influences which have
so long kept King Amadeus in the hands of
reactiOnaIy Unionists and renegade Progresis-
tas BY reading this letter. one may under
stand better even than the average of men in
Madrid the exact relations of factions to each
other and to the dynasty.


But the portion of the letter which will ct
tract universal attention is the close, where
the distinguished orator and statesman defines
the attitude of the Republican party toward
the existing monarchy. There is no one
who has the right to speak with more au-
thoritative voice. He is not only universally
recognized as the greatest orator of the Latin
race, but he divides with Figueras and Pl y
Nargall the central direction of the Republican
movement in Spain. His declarations as to the
intention of the party are therefore to be taken
as indicating the programme OF the most IN
tclligent and enlightened Republicans OF the
Peninsula. 1t has been thought by many that
as soon as the advanced Liberals, under tie
lead of Ruiz ZOrrilla, should attain t1e
government, the Republicans would for
sake their attitude of uncomDromisng
protest and give a provisional support to the
Radical Cabinet. But it is evident, from Selor
Castear's letter, that there Is more prospect
of the Radicals drifting into the Republic than
there is of the Republicans joining the Radi-
calls. The most immediate peril which now
confronts Spain is some military conspiracy
which, under the lead of ScrranO and Mont
pensier, may dethrone the King in the interest
of Prince AphonsO of Bourbon. But it is now
impossible that such movement should be
consummated in the old-fashiOHed way. with
out publicity and without echo. The pmc;ice
of universal suffrage for four years has edu-
Gated the people of Spain in politics too far
to allow a few generals to arrange the fate OF
the nation without question. Any attempt at
a Bourbon restoration would certainly result
in disorder, and in that hury-burly the Re-
publicans would certainly be found working
for the triumph Of their own principles and
not for that of any prince. One great advan-
tage which they possess over the partisans Of
all other solutions is the frank and sincere
courage with which they define their convc-
tions and avow their plans. 1t startles even
us at this distance somewhat to hear a gentle
man of the eninence and character of Senor
CASTELAR, say that "for the establishment OF
" order and democracy the King must be
L" sacrificed" Yet this is no more than he has
frequently said in his place in the Cortes,
amidst the applause of his friends and the
angry interruptions of the majority. Theie
is no question but that these bold and COZ
sistent words will in the end exert powerful
influence among the thinking and patriotg
men of Spain.