Mackey – Encyclopedia Of Freemasonry Vol. 1

1 4 2 SECRET SOCIETIESand Comuneros combined to oppose the reactionary party .They also succeeded in suppressing Carbonarism, which hadbeen introduced into Spain by some refugee Italians . Thesesocieties, in fact, though professing patriotic views, werenothing but egotistical cliques, bent on their own aggrandisement.How little they were guided by fixed principles isshown by their conduct in Spanish America . In Brazil theyplaced on the throne Don Pedro, and in Mexico they establisheda republican form of government, just as it best suitedtheir own private interests. But such is the practice of mostpatriots .523 . Clerical Societies .-But the royal party also formedsecret societies . Among these we have mentioned the "Concepcionistas,"or Defenders of the Immaculate Conception,"founded in 1823 (see 52o ante), with the sanction, if not atthe instigation, of Ferdinand VII . This was followed in1825 by the "Defenders of the Faith," also previously referredto, and in 1827 by a third, known as the " DestroyingAngels ." The existence of the last is denied by clericalwriters, but that it did exist, and that the Minister Calomardewas its chief, are facts proved beyond dispute . The doingsof these clerical secret societies covered the king, a . despicablecharacter in every way, with disgrace, and involvedthe country in constant internecine war and ruin, which arematters belonging to history . But as specially concerningthe secret societies of Spain, it should be mentioned thatat that period they were split up into four distinct parties(1) the Aristocratic, who received great support from England; its objects were the restoration of the constitution,and a change of dynasty . (2) The Mineros, whose headwas General Mina. They were chiefly military men, closelyallied with the Aristocrats, and largely subsidised by England. The American Government, with a view to the conquestof Mexico, also favoured them . Opposed to themwere (3) the Republicans, whose designation indicates theirobject. (4) The Comuneros, who, though also desiring arepublican form of government in Spain, opposed the plansof the third party.