nd Progressives. The constitution
which this body framed, comprising essentially a revival of the
instrument of 1837, was never, however, put in operation. In the end,
by a royal decree of 1856, the constitution of 1845 was amended and
re-established. Save for some illiberal amendments of 1857,[841] which
were repealed in 1864, this instrument of 1845 continued in operation
until 1868. Throughout the period, however, constitutionalism was
hardly more than a fiction.[842]

[Footnote 841: One established conditions under
which senatorial seats might be made hereditary.]

[Footnote 842: Cambridge Modern History, X., Chap.
7; XI., Chap. 20; Lavisse et Rambaud, Histoire
Generale, X., Chap. 6; XI., Chap. 9; Hume, Modern
Spain, Chaps. 7-12; Clarke, Modern Spain, Chaps.
5-11; Mariano, La Regencia de D. Baldomero
Espartero (Madrid, 1870); J. Perez de Guzman, Las
Cortes y los Gobiernos del reinado de Da Isabel
II., in _La Espana Moderna_, 1903.]

*673. The Constitution of 1869: King Amadeo.*--By a revolt which began
in September, 1868, the queen was compelled to flee from the country,
and, eventually, June 25, 1869, to abdicate. A provisional government
effected arrangements for the election of a Cortes by manhood
suffrage, and this Cortes, convened at the capital, February 11, 1869,
addressed itself first of all to the task of drafting a new national
constitution. A considerable number of members advocated the
establishment of a republic; but for so radical an innovation there
was clearly no general demand, and in the end the proposition was
rejected by a vote of 214 to 71. June 1 a constitution was adopted
which, however, marked a large advance in the direction of liberalism.
It contained substantial guarantees of freedom of speech, freedom of
the press, liberty of religion, and the right of petition and of
public assembly, and in unequivocal terms the sovereignty of the
people was affirmed afresh. A Cortes of two houses was provided (p. 609)
for, the members of the Senate to be chosen indirectly by the people
through electoral colleges and the provincial assemblies, those of the
Congress to be elected by manhood suffrage, the only qualification for
voting being the attainment of the age of twenty-five years and
possession of ordinary