Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1885 — DEPOSED BY DEATH. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DEPOSED BY DEATH.

The Ycyithful King of Spain Succumbs to the Universal Enemy. Priueess Mercedes Proclaimed Queen Under the Regency of Her Mother. The death of King Alfonso removes one restraining influence that has kept people and parties in Spain within proper bounds. Alfonso was accepted as executive by the Spanish nation as a [sort of compromise. Spain had been in a ferment for twenty car thirty years, and Alfonso was accepted hi.

1874, not because he was satisfactory to Monarchists or Republicans, but because all could tolerate him. Since his accession Spain has enjoyed ten years of comparative tranquillity. He succeeded in recon-' ciling factions and establishing on a firm basis a constitutional monarchy, and the question of who can fill his place is a serious one.

THE MONARCH’S DEATH.

The Queen Appointed Regent—Political Future of Spain. ; London dispatch. King Alfonso of Spain died at Madrid on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 25, of consumption, accelerated by dysentery. Throughout Monday night the King had spasmodic fits, tho result of fever and debility. Six doctors from Madrid and two physicians of El Parde were in constant attendance upon him. They decided on Tuesday morning'- that his Majesty was in a dangerous condition. Tho fits continued throughout Tuesday, and finally resulted In his death. Tho Pope’s benediction arrived before he expired. All ojjicers of state and the Cabinet members, except tho Minister of War and the Minister of the Interior, were present at the aeath-bed. The Cabinet met immediately, and the Queen was unpointed Regent. In accordance with the law, tho members of the Cabinet have tendered their resignations, hut will remain in office pending the Regent’s pleasure. Grave fears are entertained of a disturbance, and orders have been given to have the troops confined in the barracks. It Ims been decided to proclaim a state of siege at Madrid. A largo force of military and police is being quartered throughout the country as a precaution against a Carlist uprising. Princess Mercedes, the five-year-old daughter of Alfonso, will be Queen under the regency of her mother, Christina. Senor Sagasta wul form a new Cabinet. Washington telegram. The Spanish Legation on Massachusetts avenue is draped in mourning on account of tho death of King Alfonso. Mr. Valera, tho Spanish Minister, speaking of the probable effect of tho King’s death upon the political future of Spain, said to-day: '7 see no roason why it should materially disturb tho existing condition of things. It is natural to suppose that the Queen will be appointed Regent until her eldest child, now five years old, shall reach her majority. The King had grown in popularity ever since his succession to the throne eleven years ago. At that time the republican spirit was very strong among a certain portion of th 9 Spanish people, and Alfonso had many bitter prejudices to overcome. This he gradually did." When asked whether Castelar, the famous Republican leader, now a member of the Spanish Parliament, would be likely to attempt to restore the republic, Minister Valera shruggedihis shoulders and said: “I can’t say what that man will do, but we Monarchists hope for the best. The nobles and ruling classes will be a unit in favor of a regency, but whether they will succeed or not is as yet a mdre matter of speculation."

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Historical Sketch ot the Deceased Baler. AlfonßO XIX. (Alfonso Francisco de Assisi Ferdinando Fio Juan Maria de la Concepcion Gregorio, etc.), King of Spain, eldest son of the exQueen Isabella Ft., was bom Nov. 28,1857. When his mother was driven from the throne by the revolution of 1868, he accompanied her to Paris, where he resided with her for some time, but subsequently he went to Austria, in order to prosecute his studies in the Theresianum, or nobleman’s academy, at Vienna, to which he was admitted Jan. 20‘, 1872. He remained there three months. June 25, 1870, Queen Isabella formally abdicated her right to the throne of Spain in favor of her eon, but no open steps were taken at that time to secure for him the position which this abdication left open to him. His pretensions were, however, opposed by his cousin, the eldest son of the Duke of Montpensier, and his aunt, the Infanta Luisa, but as so many qretenders were calculated to complicate matters, the claim of Louis Philippe’s grandson was ultimately waived in favor of the heir of Isabella. Early in 1874 the Prince of the Asturias, as hb was then styled, visited England, was entered as a student at the military college at Sandhurst, and witnessed the autumn maneuvers at Aliffcrshot, Dartmoor, and other places in tho fall of the year. December 29, 1874, General Martinea Campos proclaimed him King of Spain-in Valencia, and a few days later Alfonso, who had gone over to Paris in order to spend the Jour da l'An with his mother, left France for Spain, arriving at Madrid Jan.,14,1875. He was most enthusiastically received. Fob. 16, 1876, he departed from Madrid to take command of the troops operating against the Carlists, and the 20th of the following month he returfted in triumph to the capital at the head of 25,000 men, having subdued the .Carlist insurrection. In the same year, the ex-Queen Isabella returned to Spain, aftd was tepeivOd by her son at Santander July 29. . . ' , King. Al{qhst> mafriqd,! Jan. 23,1878, at Madrid, his cobs in; tha PVJnces s "Maria de las Mercedfes, Infanta. 01,. Spain,"aftfighter of the Due de M<mtpenster:' "(She was bom Juno 24, 1860.) ‘ The exQueen Isabella was much opposed to this unlbn, and to mark her disapproval she left Spain and went to Paris before the marriage ceremony took place. Queen Mercedes died June 2)6, 1878. King Alfonso married secondly Nov. 219, IS®, Maria Christina, daughter of the late Archduke Charles Ferdinand, of Austria. (She was born July 21, 1858. Panthers, wildcats and bears are .reported very numerous in Sullivan andTJogo. Counties,