LOUTS BLANC ON REPUBLICANISM AND ENGLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 1116, 1 March 1869, Page 3

LOUTS BLANC ON REPUBLICANISM AND ENGLAND.

Mr Louis Blanc has addressed a letter, from Brighton, to Senor Garrido, congratulating him upon his adhesion to the Republican movement in Spaiu. After referring at some length to the evils of monarchy, M. Blanc writes : — The example of England is perpetually cited as a proof of the excellence of a constitutional monarchy ; but ifc is forgetteu that this regime has been the cause for centuries of the most hateful abuses and the most frightful disorders. It is forgotten that the tranquil aud ordered liberty which the English enjoy is a conquest of very recent date — a blessing the temporary possession of which they owe simply to the moderation, the virtues, the domestic tastes of their Queen, devoid at once of all ambition and of all genius. Let there come another Charles 1., or another Charles IT., or another George 111., or another George IV., and it will be seen whether constitutional monarchy would be as much for the advantage of the English as it is to-day. A miserable regime must that be whose excellence depends upon the virtues of ( this man or that whom the chance of ' birth may place on the throne, and which ! may become execrable to-morrow if the I elected happens to have a depraved will or an evil genius. And, then, is the experience complete ? Constitutional monarchy in England has hitherto been but the crowning of a system of privilege. How far it is reconcilable with the sovereignty of the people as that has j been recognised by the last Reform Bill, i if not in principle at least in fact — that lis what reiiains to be seen. In any case, |is England more happy than SwitzerI land ? Is she more powerful than the United States ? Perhaps you will be warned to take care that you do not by the establishment of a Republic expose yourselves to the tinker of the Emperor of the French. One must despair of the future of Spain if she were capable of yielding to a consideration so pusillanimous, so offensive to her pride, so unworthy of her power. But, moreover, the menace is a vain one. Napoleon has before him Prussia, which bides her time ; by his sid>3, Italy, which burns to avenge herself; beiiiud him, France, which desires to be free ; beneath him, the revolution growls. What could he do against Spaiu ? The fear of ghosts should be left to children and old women. Let Spaiu pronounce for a .Republic, and her decision will be received with enthusiasm by all elevated intellects and brave souls in the two worlds. In England, the cause of the Republic', so far as Spain is concerned, is vigorously pleaded by some of the most earnest organs of public opinion. A few d<iys ago ifc was pleaded by the ' Spectator ' ; to-day by the ' Pali Mall Gazette.' Courage, Spanish liepublicans, your voices v.-ill find echoes everywhere. Of those abroad who sympathise with your efforts the name is legion.