CASTEL VETRANO, vl-tra'no, Sicily, town in the province and 27 miles southeast of Trapani, on a rocky hill. It lies in a fertile district, is regularly built, has several churches, grammar school with municipal museum of antiquities, many of whose objects were fond at Selinus, in the vicinity. Grapevmes, olives and rice arc extensively cultivated. The white pine produced in the neighborhood is esteemed the best in Sicily. Articles of coral and ala baster are manufactured here. Pop. 25,000.
CASTgLAR, Y RIPOLL, Emilio, Spanish orator and statesman: b. Cadiz, 8 Sept. 1832; d. Murcia, 25 May 1899. He was left an orphan when quite young and his early life was spent in boarding schools. At the Institute of Alicante (1845-48) he was distinguished for his ability to memorize, for his intellectual grasp and his oratorical powers. His knowledge of philosophy, history, litera ture and the Latin and Greek classics was very extensive, in fact, much more so than of law, which he went to Madrid to study in 1848. He obtained his degree in law in 1852 and that of doctor of literature the following year. On leaving the university Castelar entered political life as a member of the Progressive party and before the end of the year he had already be come a noted character, thanks to his wonder ful oratorical gifts, and one of the shining lights of republican democracy. His youthful speeches were collected, published and spread broadcast by the ultra-Republicans, and the press of Madrid opened its arms to him. He accepted a position as editorial writer on El Tribuno, which he left some time later, when the latter went over to the monarchy. He joined the staff of the Sobcrania National, which he also left when the latter became alto gether radical. Finding La Discusion, whose staff he next joined as chief editor' 1 writer, too timid in its advocacy of Republican prin ciples, he lopurded La .iftmoentao, dedicating it to the ov.ltrow of tfie, monarchy and the house of Bourbon (1864-66). He took part with the Democrats against the Socialists. It was at this period that II, ,tc and published, in the Alenco, 'La historia de la civilization en los cinco primer°, siglos cristianismo' (1S55-58). In the latter year ne became pro fessor of Spanish history in the Central Uni versity. This gave him an opportunity to preach from two great tribunals, the university and the press, his democratic ideas. He was finally deprived of his chair in the university on account of his radical republicanism. The. substitute professors in the department of Spanish history at once resigned out of sym pathy with Castelar; and this was followed by a revolutionary demonstration which was put down with considerable bloodshed (10 April 1865). But the revolutionary fire was still smouldering and very active plotting went on in secret. Castelar, arrested in 1866 for par ticipating in revolutionary activity, was tried and condemned to be hanged; but he succeeded in escaping,. in disguise, to France, where he continued his editorial, Journalistic and literary work and wrote 'Semblanzas,' 'Uri alio en 'Recuerdos de Italia,' 'Vida de Lord Byron' and (IntroducciOn at estudio de la historia.' He was one of the most active
.spirits among the revolutionary party in Paris, and on the triumph of the latter to 1868 he returned to Spain, resumed his chair in the university and was elected a member of the Cortes, where he became the leading advocate of republicanism and the most distinguished orator of the nation. On the establishment of the republic in 1873 Castelar became Minister of State. He was instrumental in the abolish ment of the military orders of Santiago, Cala trava, Alcantara, Montesa and San Juan de Jerusalen; and later on, those of Carlos III, Maria Luisa and Isabel la Catolica. On 6 Sept. 1873 he was elected president of the executive, a position he held until the follow ing January, when a counter revolution once more forced him into exile in France, where he continued actively his literary work. He fin ished his 'Historia del movimiento republicano en Europa' and the second part of 'Recuerdos de Italia,' 'La redencion del csclavo' (poem) and 'El ocaso de la libertad.> Returning to Spain in 1876 he was elected to the Cortes, of which he remained an active and prominent figure for 17 years, always dreaming of the ultimate establishment of the Spanish republic by peaceful means. Thus his discountenancing revolutionary means to gain revolutionary ends helped the cause of the monarchy and of law and order, although he continued the leader of the opposition. Gradually he greatly modi fied his republican and revolutionary attitude until he had come, in 1893, to see that Spain was not yet fit for any other than a monarchical form of government.
Castelar was the mouthpiece of the Repub lican ideal in Spain, which his brilliant ora torical gifts, his writings and his ceaseless activity kept constantly before the people. He fought for universal suffrage and the abolition of slavery in Porto Rico; he defended the principle of religious liberty; advocated the election by popular vote of die atcaldes; and he was a powerful champion of universal mili tary service. He strongly influenced the poli tics of his age in Spain; and this influence extended to all the Latin countries in Europe and America. His literary works, which are very voluminous, include, in addition to those already mentioned, the following: revo luciOn religiosa' • 'Perfiles de personajes y bocetos de ideas' ' • hist6ricos sobre la Edad Media' ; formula .del progreso' ; de la formula del progreso): (La cuestion de Oriente); (Cuestiones politicas y sociales' • sobre politica europea' ; y esperanzas); rendition del hermana de la caridad' ; toria de un coraz60; Wiscursos politicos y literarioC ; (Fra Filippo de la historia'; suspiro del Moro); Wis curso de reception en la Academia Espanola' ; (Discurso en la Coruna sobre literature gal lega" ; historica de mujeres celebres.)