This circular contains nothing new otherwise, either in theory or practice,
all previous governments in Spain, liberal or illiberal, having done the
same thing; for, although the last constitution in date prohibited
administrative acts of banishment, yet the prohibition was nullified by the
customary device of suspending the constitutional guarantees, which, of
course, had the effect of leaving unlimited power in the hands of the
executive.
This measure has been applied thus far to one person only, D. Manuel Ruiz
Zorrilla.
After living in retirement at his home in one of the provinces for more than
one year, that is, through the whole period of the republic, he came to
Madrid a few months ago and proceeded in the first place to initiate a
political movement with republican professions from one of the apartments of
the Escorial.
He has ended with drawing on himself the animadversion of King Alfonso’s
government, which has invited, him to leave Spain.
[Inclosure in No.
256.—Translation.]
Precautionary measures against opposition
party-leaders.
[From the Gaceta de Madrid,”
February 4, 1875.]
Circular.
The preservation of material and moral order and their speedy
re-establishment wherever they may come to be disturbed is the first
duty of the government and of its representatives in the provinces, and
in order that you may second the purposes of the regency-ministry, it is
important that you should have perfect knowledge of the principles and
rules to which to adjust your conduct in so important a question.
God has visibly protected the nation” in this fortunate crisis in her
history, allowing political events of such deep transcendency to be
consummated without having to lament a victim or wipe away a tear
because of them; on the contrary, rather, the country finds itself so
refreshed on entering anew into conditions of normal existence, that it
has been possible to mitigate many penalties imposed by other
governments, raising decrees of banishment, revoking enforced changes of
domicile, and even restoring liberty to no small number of unfortunates
who rather were the victims and instruments of the crimes of others than
culpable through their own willful acts.
The rebellions which afflict the country being extinguished, this work of
reparation and oblivion may be completed.
But a people which has suffered such violent transitions in a few years,
may readily preserve for some time afterward the smoldering germs of
indiscipline, and it may be
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that when the government most needs tranquility and confidence, moral or
material conflicts may be provoked by a few unquiet spirits,
dissatisfied because order and the public welfare do not give them the
same advantages as the anarchy and misfortune of their country.
Disorder is readily caused by no more than setting a few sophisms on foot
and leaving them to wend on their way of destruction and anarchy; order
laboriously creates itself, rooting assured principles and restraining
with uninterrupted energy and prudence all evil passions, and to such
end it is needful to repress discreetly, with as much underlying energy
as prudence in procedure, every attempt at agitation which might disturb
the general aspiration for peace and concord.
In this repression, and in whatever steps it may be necessary to adopt to
realize it, and even to foresee it, you must earnestly bear in mind that
the true responsibility for public disorder may always be traced to a
small number of persons who are rarely convinced of the very ideas they
diffuse; neither are they participants in the passions they excite.
It is imperative to prevent the repetition of the disheartening spectacle
so frequently shown in Spain, of the hard expiation imposed on the
misled sons of the people, the poor, the ignorant, the weak, seduced
sometimes by the most iniquitous machinations, by whom the prisons have
been filled or who have been sent to perish in remote islands, while the
real culprits who dragged, them on knowingly, and with interested
ambition enjoy impudent impunity.
Inspired by this pre-eminent idea of the government, you should give your
attention principally to those who may be leaders of any agitation which
may threaten public order.
It will, in the majority of cases, sufficiently effect its repression,
that one person only suffer the consequences of his conduct j it is
certain that the measure will never have to be extended to many if study
be devoted to the origins and beginnings of the evils it is sought to
cut off, and the country will assuredly find as much justice as
expediency in the inflexibly energetic chastisement of the true culprits
and the granting of the largest indulgence to the mere tools of their
ambition.
For like motives the Government regards as inexpedient certain general
measures which have sometimes been adopted respecting those who only
held affinity of ideas with the men who deserved the repressive action
of the public power, basing such measures not on the direct guilt of the
parties, but on the purpose to tranquilize peaceable citizens at any
cost or to satisfy opinion. This is not affected by such steps, which
rather irritate the undecided than deter the real disturbers. Popular
sentiment is surer. Nothing so fully satisfies it as the realization of
equity and justice by those in power, and this only requires that
attention be given to, and the extraordinary faculties of the Government
be exerted upon, the few who are the true and knowing cause of the
disturbance, in defense and shelter of the many whom they seek to lead
into misfortune.
Animated by these principles, you will for your part be sure of all the
sound opinion of the country and will set moral and material order upon
solid bases, counting in the application of such rules on the energetic
support of the Government, which deems them as the most essential to
which its conduct should be conformed in the present state of
affairs.
Madrid, February 3,
1875.
ROMERO ROBLEDO.
The governor of the province of———.
