Page:Civilization and barbarism (1868).djvu/298

254 division from San Juan marching to Cordova, revolted on the way, and joined the Unitarios, who were sanguine of success, but unskilled in the art of war. The two Aldaos then at Mendoza, pursued them, and after a few marches and countermarches, conquered them without firing a shot.

On returning to Mendoza, the victorious troops, hearing of the victory at Tablada, revolted and threw the power into the hands of the liberal party, which showed no more prudence than it had done at San Juan. These mistaken men persisted in immediately establishing their long-desired constitutional forms, respect for life being their great maxim, and parliamentary discussion their means of action. Their enemies took advantage of this infatuation to ridicule them, and to endeavor again to overthrow their plans, while a magnificent system of government was maturing under the direction of General Albarado.

The brothers José and Francisco were planning within their prison walls their reestablishment in power; while the monk presented himself in the neighborhood and with sixty men and the use of skillful intrigues, opened a campaign against a government dependent upon a fanatical people, two thousand men under arms, and a man of reputation at its head. The prisoners soon escaped, and the discussion of terms of conciliation by the feeble government, gave time and resources to the Aldaos. The die was cast, and the fate of Mendoza was decided. A month was sufficient for the army to be nemmed in, and even fired upon in the streets.

Facundo Quiroga sent several hundred gauchos from Rioja to aid the three colonels of Mendoza, who had