A LIBERAL PRETENDER.
Dos JUAN DE BORDON, the younger son of the late Don Carlos, is pres- sing his claims on the Spanish people through the medium of the Times. A fortnight ago, that journal published his manifesto to the Spaniards, and commented upon it in the leading columns. Don Juan has this week replied to the comment, and provoked an answer. Don Juan's po- sition is a novelty. He is a Bourbon who sees the beauties of freedom. He is a pretender whose ambition has been kindled by the success of the French Emperor's appeals to universal suffrage, and by Victor Era- manners appeal to the same tribunal. He is a legitimist who believes that right divine has "no signification without the assent and love of the people." He does not desire to kindle civil war, but he asserts that un- less he obtains a hearing, and, we suppose, an appeal to universal snf- frage, revolution and civil war are imminent. "It is," he say, with astonishing candour, "from a sentiment of duty that I bring forward my pretensions, and submit them to the people." "I do not promote revo- lution—I disclaim, once for all, any intention of kindling a civil war in Spain ; " but—" If I do not receive a hearing, a revolution and its con- sequences are imminent." With an eye to an English public, he cen- sures the severe press laws, the abuse of administrative power, the in- tolerance of Jew and Protestant, and he deplores the low state of Spanish credit; implying that, under his benignant sway, he would amend all these defects, pay bonds, take the gag off the press, ensure elections with- out governmental corruption or intimidation, and reform the colonial System. But these gilded baits do not take. The absurdity of his
sition is transparent, and the impudence of his pretensions manifest. We have had enough of pretenders of all sorts : and if Don Yuan de Borbon wishes to lead a happy life, he had better cultivate obscurity. He will best serve the Spanish people by leaving them alone. Spain is really improving in many respects, and the way to arrest that improve- ment would be to get up a new civil war.
Previous page
