POLITICAL TROUBLES. 491 



to disorganization and criminal ends. The object of each association is the same ; they incul- 

 cate the same tenets, have the same revolutionary views, the same means of action demoraliza- 

 tion and crime. 



"In Santiago a ridiculous symbol* is borne before their processions; in Aconcagua, a banner 

 covered with insulting and sanguinary mottoes. Here they counsel disobedience of the soldier 

 to his chief, of the citizen to the lawful magistrate ; there they make insurrectionists of the 

 incautious, open the prison doors, and give to the criminals liberty and arms. In Santiago a 

 cowardly and infamous member of the clubf spat in the face of the Intendente of the province; 

 in Aconcagua its governor is vilely and treacherously assassinated by the president of the 

 society. We have thus before us the objects of these secret and mysterious gatherings. An 

 insurrectionary movement has been contemplated for some time ; hence the accusations against 

 the Intendente, and the despatch of ball cartridges which were detected about the middle of 

 September. At Santiago the club has contented itself with threats, because it saw the impo- 

 tence of a struggle with the more extended elements of order and intelligence, which, creating 

 healthy opinions, control the disorders desired by disorganizes. For want of those elements 

 the resistance was less at San Felipe, and on this account the revolutionists have long had that 

 city in view. The movement so prepared there has burst out at last; but, happily for the 

 republic, its consequences will not be wliat the outlaws hope for. Public opinion is emphati- 

 cally and energetically opposed to the insurrection ; patriots of all parties will unite to save the 

 republic from anarchy, and though called on to mourn the blood of Senor Mardones shed by 

 an assassin the lesson will be invaluable to the future." 



Such was the bulletin, and such the sentiments of government. During the day, a report 

 reached town that the insurgent troops were on their way from Aconcagua ; and it was also 

 quite current that the Egualistas meant to strike a blow that night on their own account. All 

 day long the Council of State were in conclave. As a consequence of their deliberations, just 

 before sunset a body of military, preceded by trumpeters, paraded in the plaza, publishing a bando 



* Liberty. 



t Senor Sanfuentes, the member of Congress from Valdivia. This grew out of an obnoxious " Bando " just published, and 

 which was as follows. He was instantly handcuffed and imprisoned. 



" It is determined and decreed : 



"ART. 1. No society or club, whatever may be the number of persons composing it, shall be permitted to present themselvea 

 in the streets or public squares as a body, or to make exhibitions in said places of any description whatever. 



" ART. 2. In the act of issuing from the place in which the society or club may hare held its meeting, the members shall 

 disperse. 



" ART. 3. The meetings of the society called ' La Egualdad,' or those of any other of the same character, shall be announced 

 at the Intendente's office, by those who control it, at least one day in advance, designating the place, day, and hour of assem- 

 bling, in order that police may be sent to preserve order should it be deemed necessary. 



" ART. 4. The meetings of the society of ' La Egualdad,' or any other of the same character, shall be public, without hin- 

 drance of admission to any who may desire to attend, even if they are not members. As at every public re-union, the police will 

 take care that no disorder is committed. They will also prevent the crowding of persons about the doors of the locality, under 

 the pretext that they cannot enter; as also, that there be no hindrance to the entry of those who desire, should there be suffi- 

 cient room. 



"ART. 5. The name of the proprietor or landlord of the house in which the society, or any part of it, may meet, shall be made 

 known at the office of the Inieudente, together with those of the directors, presidents, or any other officers, in order that the 

 police may know the persons who assume the responsibility of giving a legal direction to these assemblage*, and to prevent the 

 infractions of law. 



"ART. 6. An authentic copy of this decree shall be affixed in such position at the entrance to the rooms of the society of ' La 

 Egualdad,' and every other of the same character, that those who assemble there shall see it. The said copy shall at least com- 

 prise the whole of the dispositive portion. 



"ART. 7. Infraction of the terms of this decree shall be punished, according to the circumstances of the case, by fines or 

 imprisonment; which, conformably with Article 127 of the laws for internal government, may be adjudged by this Intendencia 

 without appeal by those who may be found guilty. 



" Publish it, make it known to the directors of the society of ' La Egualdad' by the sergeant major of the corps of Vijflantes 

 and file it. 



"Ev*Risro DM. CAMPO, Secretary. 



" OVALLE." 



