Page:A history of Chile.djvu/352

 320 A HISTORY OF CHILE factions, was again divided in sentiment. Some were with Pinto in his support of Santa Maria, others were for General Baquedano, the liero of the war. Two meetings were held, one at Santiago and the other at Valparaiso, on January 2nd, the one at the capital to form the basis for a liberal convention, the one at Val- paraiso for the same object, but in favor of other men than those who inspired the movement at the capital. The meeting at Santiago wished to hold a convention at Santiago composed of distinguished persons, law- yers, deputies, doctors, senators, municipal officers and university students; in the meeting at Valparaiso much was said of democracy, of the popular elements, local representation and national interests. Secret influ- ences and interests moved different persons toward one or the other of the groups, and ambitious leaders in each faction created discord. In the Santiago meeting the resistance of the radicals was most characteristic and the convention went to pieces, loudly blaming the Valparaiso gathering for the work. Thus stood mat- ters when news arrived of the surrender of Lima. Political agitation, in the face of the glorious news, was momentarily suspended, as if by a spell, and all parties united in manifestations of enthusiastic patri- otism. Still, in the midst of the jubilation, Santa Maria's partisans did not forget to work. Baquedano's name was suddenly presented by the opposition and his candidacy became formidable;* but during the evening and the following morning the rumor was cir- culated that Santa Maria was the official candidate. He was amigo intimo de Pinto, and the government in- fluence was actively exerted in behalf of the minister. But public feeling ran high, and called for a candi- cabeza a los pi6s, con grande prestijio, con popularidad enorme," — Martinez,
 * "La candidatura de Baquedano surjif^- i snriio como Minerva armada de la