The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-05

The advices from Spain, brough by the At
lantc, leave the issue of the contest between the
partizans Of ODonnell and Espartero in a. great
uncertainty as ever. As the telegraphic lines
are in the hands Of the government, it is impos-
sible to arrive at anything like correct estimate
Of the chances Of the insurrecton. OF its formid
able character, some idea may, however, be
formed from the fact that although ODonnell had
concentrated $4,000 troops in Madrid, in antci-
patton Of the revolt, it was not until after thirty
hours hard fighting that the National Guards and
citizens surrendered their arms This crcum-
stance would in itself be sufficient to demonstrate
the strength Of the popular indignation against
the Court; but it assumes still greater gravity
from the fact that at Saragossa, the headquarters
Of Espartero's friends, victory had been gained
over the garrison, and a sort of legal sanction
had been given to the revolution by the assem-
biage in that city ola quorum of the Cortes, who
proclaimed liberty and the constitution or in
other words, we suppose, the dethronement of lisa
bella and the declaration of republic. There
is no other issue to which the present movement
on the part Of the Spanish people points. The
language Of Escosura in the Chambers
which Immediately led to the conflict between
the two parties was but the expression of what
has long been fermenting in the popular heart,
and which would have long since burst through
all restraints but for the moderation or we should
rather say, the timidity of Espartero.
1t is well known that for the last few months
the adherents Of the court have been secretly d.
recting all their energies to the preparation of
another coup ddat, with view to re-establsh the
old corrupt influences which have proved the
curse and ruin Of Spain. O'Donnell, than whom
a weaker or more venal politician does not exist
although he is a gallant soldier, was induced to
listen to the offers Of the Christnites and to lend
himself to the plans Of the Paris Camarilla, thus
betraying at once the glorious cause in which he
so lately drew his sword, and the chief to whom
be owes his honors and advancement in life. 1t
is the misfortune of Espartero that his honesty
and singleness of purpose should not be accom-
panied by juster appreciation of the characters
and motives of the men with whom he is brought
into association. Once he gives his confidence
he gives it entirely, and thus it was that, though
repeatedly warned of the double game that
ODonnell was playing, he suffered him
self to be taken by surprise and made
the victim Of plot for which the pre-
parations of his Judas colleague had been
carefully matured, so as to enable the latter to
repress at once the popular sympathies Of the
capital 1t is said, even, that the Duke of Victory
carried this objectionable blindness to such an
extent as to suffer himself to be arrested in Ma
drid, although he must have had abundant oppor-
tunities of Withdrawing in safety, between the
time Of his resignation and the suppression of
the revolt in the capital. To allow his oppo-
nents to seize upon his person was in some de-
gree to render them masters Of the situation. The
report Of his arrest, however has still to be con-
frmed. 1t may merely be rase of the govern
ment to discourage his supporters in the pro-
vinces.
As natural consequence Of the partial sue
sesses Of the government Saryaez and the other
adherents Of Christina, who had been exiled to
France, are Fastening like hungering wolves and
birds Of prey to the frontiers The smell Of blood
Is too strong lure to the leeches who have so
long fattened and rioted upon the miscries Of
their country, TO allow them to await patient
ly the issue Of the struggle. They will
enter Spain as soon as they think they can find
safe passage to Madrid there to aid by their vim
dictive counsels and evil presence the re-estab.
lishment Of a military despotism. The move
ment Of a French army Of observation to the
frontiers has also lis significance. IL looks as IL
Louis Napoleon were about to carry out the in
nncle's abortive policy in the Iberiau PENN
sula.
+ All these designs, hov ever long matured and
cunningly planned as IL y seem 10 have been,
will in oil probability be defeated. The Spanish
people, although they yielded temporary obc-
dencc to the moderate counses Of Espartero
and consented to renew the experiment Of a con
stitutional monarchy, have evinced great faith
in IL success. For months past they have seen
the fatal influences Of the old Camarila again
themselves round the court and
fixed itself upon the minds Of all that
the struggle had yet to be made which was to
give free institutions TO the country. The con-
duct Of 0'Donnell has long been suspicously
watched, and the result has proved that his no
ncsty was not equal TO the temptations to which
he was exposed. His treason has. 'or the mo-
mont, given success to the court party, but the
resolute stand made by the liberals in the
provinces induces the belief that it will only be
temporary. II IL true that the army thus far has
sided with the government; but the recent expe-
rience of one Of spains former dependencies has
shown that, with a combined and determined will
on the part of the people, both the army and the
church may be rendered powcrle~ instruments in
the hands Of despotism. Besides, we have yet to
learn how much Of these alleged advantages OF
the Spanish government are authentic. All the
regular modes Of communication being controlled
by it, We must make large allowance for the
exaggerations and perversions Of fact which con-
stitutc so important feature Of Spanish tactics
With the example Of Mexico before their eyes, IT