Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 October 1869 — Spain. [ARTICLE]

Spain.

About one year ago a number of discontented leaders at the head of tbe Spanish army revolted against their Queen, Isabella. This revolt was acquiesced in by tbe people, although none but troops participated in it Isabella was reputed to be a woman of disolute habits, leaving the cares of government to courtiers, vicious, feeble and effeminate, whose conduct had alienated the nation from its sovereign. No regret came from any quarter wheu the government changed rulers. General Juan Prim, Marshal Serrano aud a citizen named Topete were the most conspicuous leaders in the revolt and the government naturally fell into their hands.— They, for years before, bad had the reputation of being liberals, and it was expected by those who had confidence in them, that they would exert their influence to establish a liberal form of government, if not republican, at least a m tnarchy so limited as to secure personal liberty aud individual freedom. They pretended that they only exercised their authority until the voice of the nation conld be expressed in thte choice of lawful ruler*. At length, after many dilatory pretexts and delays, which made it apparent the trinmvirs intended to boldjon as long as possible to the power they now possess, a legislature, caff ed a cortss, was elected, which framed a constitution that provided for tins choice of a king, and the throne was disgracefully offered as a prize to any of the royal aspirants of Europe, A number of candidates have appeared, but the claims of each have been rejected upon one pretext or another, as they have been canvassed by the

At the time this revolt occurred in Spain, a revolution was begun in Cuba, an island of the West Indies belonging to the Spanish government. Instead of Hetinglb a friendly manner towards their brothers and co-rebels in Cuba, the triumvirs treated them as enemies, and have from tbe first attempted to subdue them by force of arms. Meanwhile, the quiet inhabitants at home have been goaded to insurrection by starvation, arising from the suspension of trade, the stagnation in all kinda of busineea, the mistrust caused by the weakness end tyranny of the new governors, the dissatisfaction of the priesthood, and the doubts which hang over the future. lliere is no stability,*no certainty tor anything. Friends and foea have been treated by turns with ferocious severity, until nobody fuels safe. Thus, in a single year, the new government finds itself engaged in two formidable wars of its own causing—tbe rebellion at home and the revolution in Cuba—and at the same time is attempting to carry on a war with Peru and Chili, in South America, which Isabella had on hand when expelled from the throne. a. And this is the formidable power which very prudent men in England and extremely cautious ones in tbe United States are perpetually advising President Grant not to offend lest Spain make war on us also! Since tbe days of the Middle Ages, Spain has never been able to carry on a foreign war, if wo except her six months* raid iu Morocco, a few years since. We Lave no doubt President Grant’s administration will act with diguified prudenee towards all nations, whether weak or strong, and especially in the war between Spain and Cuba he will so act in the interests of justice and humanity aa to satisfy the reasonable wishes of the conntrv.