492 POLITICAL TROUBLES. 



declaring the provinces of Santiago and Aconcagua under martial law for the space of seventy 

 days. Government deemed it expedient to have a more prompt, certain, and desperate remedy 

 for offences than the procrastinations and vacillations of common law afforded. The bando 

 was signed by a new Intendente, Senor Ovalle being considered too inefficient in the crisis. 



At the same time, the Egualistas were absolutely prohibited from assembling ; the printing 

 offices of "El Progreso" and "La Barra" both liberals were closed ; and the few opposition 

 papers printed elsewhere in the republic were directed to be excluded from the mails coming 

 within the infected districts. Simultaneously the police were started in pursuit of political 

 offenders, whose numbers it was whispered amounted to more than forty, including members of 

 Congress, editors, lawyers, and the prominent men of the club, who had been guilty of speaking 

 or writing doctrines repugnant to the rulers of the nation. There had been no overt act of trea- 

 son, nor could one be directly alleged ; although it was charged, and probably believed by many 

 partisans of the ministry, that papers had fallen into the possession of the latter which proved 

 a deeply laid scheme for the overthrow of the administration, and specified the names of the 

 persons who were to succeed. These gentlemen were, of course, to be among the first secured; 

 and as few of them anticipated such an event, they were arrested and conveyed to prison before 

 learning the nature of the offence charged. However, as there is a sort of vocal telegraph in 

 the society of Santiago, notice of the intentions of the government was given to a portion of 

 the proscribed, and they were not found by the police. One effected his escape by flight over 

 the tiled roofs while it was still daylight. Panic spread through all the opposition ranks, and 

 there was not a man bold enough to strike a blow for the relief of their leaders. Deserted 

 by those who should have rallied for their support, the artisans and laborers who had been 

 seduced from loyalty under the promise of amended fortunes now crept cowed to their abodes 

 of improvidence and idleness. Not a voice was raised in encouragement ; not a dollar laid on 

 their so-called altar of liberty .and equality ; not an arm raised to arrest the oppression against 

 which they had made such outcries. " Sauve qui pent" was the watchword; and though 

 some of them were among the highest born, they were begging shelter and concealment at 

 the hands of those whose houses were least liable to search, no matter how humble. Greater 

 treachery to avowed principles or to a party never was exhibited. 



Even among the better classes throughout the city the utmost consternation prevailed. A 

 ball given by the American minister was deprived of three fourths of its intended guests, who 

 feared going out, or from distress because of the incarceration of friends. Safe as they were 

 likely to be under the protection of the " stars and stripes," should an outbreak really occur, 

 the few who had assembled were not unfrequently in whispering trepidation. Dearly as the 

 Chilenas love dancing, and gaily as sounded the good music, life and spirit could not be roused, 

 even with the aid of champagne ; and the timid groups, startled at every external noise, 

 returned to their homes long before midnight. 



November 8. The government bulletin announced: "Not a drop of fraternal blood has been 

 shed. Praised be God. Favored by Heaven, the criminals have concealed their shame by flight. 

 From to-day the tranquillity of Chile is more stable. Notwithstanding there were names in its 

 support which authorized revolution, anarchy has proved impotent." 



As none of the liberal papers were permitted to circulate openly in the capital during the 

 state of siege, we had only one-sided versions of the difficulty ; and these were not always destitute 

 of embellishments. An account was subsequently published by those most interested, which 

 was essentially as follows: 



On the regular day for the meeting of the Egualistas at San Felipe, according to custom, the 

 national flag was hoisted over the house. This flag bore the inscription: " Viva la republica 

 democratica; viva la Sociedad de la Igualdad; valor contra la tirania" (Huzza for the demo- 

 cratic republic; huzza for the Socialist society; war against tyranny). An hour before the time 

 of meeting, the acting governor of the province sent the commandant of police to remove it, 

 and, without waiting for the owner of the house or giving him notice, it was violently torn 



