of Mariana
we find that author saying that two thousand were put to death _in all
Spain during the entire administration of Torquemada, which embraced a
period of fifteen years_.

Before beginning to examine the character of this tribunal it must be
clearly understood that the Spanish Inquisition was not a purely
ecclesiastical institution, but a mixed tribunal. It was conceived,
systematized, regulated in all its procedures and judgments, equipped with
officers and powers, and its executions, fines and confiscations were
carried out by the royal authority alone, and not by the Church.(320)

To understand the true character of the Spanish Inquisition, and the
motives which prompted King Ferdinand in establishing that tribunal, we
must take a glance at the internal condition of Spain at the close of the
fifteenth century. After a struggle of eight centuries the Spanish nation
succeeded in overthrowing the Moors, and in planting the national flag
over the entire country. At last the Cross conquered the Crescent, and
Christianity triumphed over Mahometanism. The empire was consolidated
under the joint reign of Ferdinand and Isabella.

But there still remained elements of discord in the nation. The population
was composed of three conflicting races--the Spaniards, Moors and Jews.
Perhaps the difficulties which beset our own Government in its efforts to
harmonize the white, the Indian and the colored population, will give us
some idea of the formidable obstacles with which the Spanish court had to
contend in its efforts to cement into one compact nation a conquering and
a conquered people of different race and religion.

The Jews and the Moors were disaffected toward the Spanish government not
only on political, but also on religious grounds. They were suspected, and
not unjustly, of desiring to transfer their allegiance from the King of
Spain to the King of Barbary or to the Grand Turk.

The Spanish Inquisition was accordingly erected by King Ferdinand, less
from motives of religious zeal than from those of human policy. It was
established, not so much with the view of preserving the Catholic faith,
as of perpetuating the integrity of his kingdom. The Moors and Jews were
looked upon not only as enemies of the altar, but chiefly as enemies of
the throne. Catholics were upheld not for their faith alone, but because
they united faith to loyalty. The baptized Moors and Israelites were
oppressed for their heresy because thei