The poet reached his political prominence in June 1848, with the momentary victory of the Wallachian Revolution. During the original uprising, he agitated among Bucharest's citizens, reciting "revolutionary hymns"; over three issues, "Învățătorul Satului" published his unabashed political essay, "Despre libertate" ("On Liberty"). Following Bibescu's ouster, the Provisional Government established a National Guard, and organized a contest to select its commander. Papazoglu recalls that Aristia was the first Guard commander, elected by the Bucharest citizenry with an acclamation on the field of Filaret. Other accounts suggest that Aristia presented himself as a candidate, but lost to a more conservative figure, Scarlat Crețulescu, and was only appointed a regular member for one Bucharest's five defense committees. On July 7 (Old Style: June 25), Crețulescu resigned, freeing his seat for Aristia.