POLITICAL TROUBLES. 493 



down, and taken to the Intendente. A number of citizens went to the meeting of the society 

 on the same evening, though without other object than to pacify the artisans, whose excitement 

 and anger had been strongly roused by the act just mentioned. It was pointed out to them 

 that the public authorities could legally prohibit the display of a banner on private houses, 

 but that on the following day it would b quietly reclaimed as individual property. Persuasive 

 spr.vli.-s apparently quieted the greatly agitated mass. It was shown to them that the authori- 

 ties were eminently interested in fomenting disorder, that they might have a pretext for secur- 

 ing the most patriotic and influential citizens: not a difficult task in an unarmed population 

 whose only wishes were to protect themselves from corrupt legislation. 



On the following morning Senor Lara went to the Intendencia, when, without cause unless 

 his previous energy in defence of liberty might be regarded as sufficient and before he had opened 

 his lips, the Intendente ordered him to prison. Appointing Senor Caldera his counsel, and 

 advising him of the unexpected oppression he was suffering, the latter proceeded to the Inten- 

 dencia forthwith, and requested to be informed of the charges against his client. The only 

 satisfaction obtained was, that the accusation would soon be sent to the judge under whose 

 jurisdiction it came, and there the information might be learned. Knowing the judge to be a 

 personal enemy of Lara, and that the latter had a previous indictment against him in the same 

 court, to prevent influence on the new cause the attorney drew up a paper consenting to pay 

 all the fine demanded by the old accusation. It was necessary for Lara to sign this, and, as he 

 was incommunicated, Caldera entreated the judge for permission to enter the prison under any 

 restrictions he might consider essential; but the privilege was obstinately refused. SeRor 

 Caldera returned to the Intendencia, seeking the charges promised, and was assured that they 

 would be forwarded within half an hour, before which time the judge should not leave the 

 court, and an officer was sent to the latter requesting him to remain. Perfectly satisfied with 

 the conduct of the Intendente, Senor Caldera went home, where he found many respectable 

 citizens much alarmed from the fact that the populace would not leave the house in which the 

 Egualistas met, having gone there with a determination to take Lara from prison by force if he 

 could not be liberated otherwise. Many had attempted to dissuade them from so rash an attempt ; 

 but the resolution remained unchanged, and, as a last resort, all who were at Caldera's house 

 proceeded in a body to intercede with the mass. This resulted in the dispersal of the crowd. 



Grieved more at the excitement which was again springing up among the people than because 

 of the imprisonment of his friend, the counsel of Senor Lara went a third time to the court of 

 the judge. Not finding him, and the clerk assuring him that the indictment had not yet been 

 received, his steps were again turned to the Intendente's. Appealing to this officer, by all 

 their previous friendly relations, that he would communicate his charges, he was haughtily 

 told, " I will do so when it suits me." Distressed with the memory of the scene he had just 

 witnessed, Caldera then said to the Intendente : " Senor Don Bias, the people are aroused, and 

 it has cost much to restrain them. Do not force them into a painful conflict. I promised that 

 I would not rest in my efforts until the liberty of Seiior Lara was legally obtained." Losing 

 all dignity, and forgetting the language held but a little while previously, without further pro- 

 vocation the Intendente heaped unbecoming terms on the advocate ; and as his anger increased 

 with the expression of his own words, he actually ended by sending Caldera to jail. 



A few minutes afterwards a bando was published against all patriotic societies, prohibiting, 

 under penalty of imprisonment, all who might be suspected by the police, or whose political 

 sentiments were known, from assembling in numbers of more than six persons. On hearing so 

 scandalous an outrage of national rights, and witnessing the privilege of association torn 

 from them the only privilege or right through which a people can arrest despotism indigna- 

 tion pervaded every breast, and from all directions the people flocked spontaneously to the plaza, 

 in their anger thrusting aside the moderate men who wished to control them or to beg the 

 liberty of the prisoners. All the most respectable citizens hastened to the Intendente, earnestly 

 entreating him that, for the sake of the country, their children, and families, he would allay 



