The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-27
Frightening Prospects OF tho Spanish
Republic.

Republic.
The Carlists have met with q reverse before
Estella which shows that the Spanish govern
ment are strengthening their position in the
field. The desultory mountain warfare which
the Carlists waged with whatever advantage
could be gained from it seems des-
tined to be tho limit of their sue
cess. That the government troops numbered
five thousand and whipped their opponents,
who numbered three thousand, is q sign of
the right sort that the Madrid authorities un-
derstand their duty to the country. Nothing
short Of gross Encouragement or half-hearted-
ness can account for the fact that the fol-
lovers Of the Bourbon pretender have been
allowed hitherto to choose their ground and
the conditions under which they fought The
solitary column cut off by the Carlists and the
small garrison surprised by them became
every day stories showing the want of general
ship among the republican commanders. It
may afford some consolation to the Carlists
that they were outnumbered, but that shows
their weakness, while it is an apology for their
defeat Don Alfonso, brother Of the Pretender,
and Generals Ollo and Tristany are reported
among the wounded. The debris of their
army took the road for the French frontier,
while the Carlist forces OF Berga have with
drawn from their position. If the govern
ment act with energy there Is little doubt that
the Carlist faction can be soon deprived of
further power for mischief
With tho ipov,rooukc NJ No~ ,.~n -
progress has been made. Difficult of attack
by land or sea, it would seem that the city can
only be reduced bya regular SIEGE The with
drawal of Admiral Lobos out of range of the
shore batteries held by the insurgents does not
promise speedy end to the difficulty. The
action ofthe British authorities at the request
be 1t noticed, of the Germans, in ordering o
restoration Of the ships captured by the insur-
gents and taken from them by the English, is
an additional sign Of the growing strength of
the Republic. This action will give confidence
to investors in Spanish Treasury bonds, as well
as being Of actYal service 70 the republican
cause. Sefor Castelar, has been elected to the
Presidency Of the Cortes, and affairs in Madrid
generally go to show more determined front
than has been hitherto presented. The art of
governing is not to be learned in day. and.
apart from the wildness Of the orators and the
wild confusion of parties this may account for
many Of the shortcomings of the republicans.
NATIONAL TEMPERANCE CONVENTION, This
Convention Is now in session In Saratopa. and
embraces among its members large number
of gentlemen distinguished for their services
in the great cause of temperance. Among the
subjects Of discussion proposed for the present
gathering are the following: The Church and
Temperance, Drinking Usages of society,
Temperance id Educational institutions, In
ebriate Asylums and Alcoholism, the Rela-
tons Of Drunkenness to Crime, The Sabbath
and the Beer Question, Parental RESPONSE
bility, Intemperance among Women, National
Legislation, Temperance Literature and last.
but not least. the Financial Question. There
are other topics embraced in the programme.
but we think if the Convention handles thoea
enumerated above with proper care and de-
liberation it will accomplish all that can be
expected Of 1t. At any rate, we hope that the
present convocation will not end. as most Of
its predecessors have, in an essential 6zzls.
and do more harm than good to the great
cause intended to be promoted.
The FoRaEnrEs ON THE BANK OF ENG
LAND.-The trial of the prisoners charged
with the commission Of forgeries on the Bank
Of England was brought to o close in London
yesterday. We are specially informed. by
telegram to the HERALD, that the four Ameri-
can prisoners were convicted and sentenced
to penal servitude for life. A very serious
crime has thus been compensated and the ma