The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-06-26
A GIRLS STORY OF THE GILLIAN IN
SURRECTION.

A GIRLS STORY OF THE GILLIAN IN
sURRECTION.
The author of the following letter
from Chill is South American girl, in
her early teens, the daughter of planter
in Chill. In writing to the POST Office
Box" of Hdrpers Young People she art
lessly gives the best explanation of the
Chilian insurrection which has, to our
knowledge, yet been published.
CHILL, So. AMERICA, April Q, 1891.
After the long time that has passed
without my writing to the Post Office
Box l wish could write as have done
before-Of my happy country life, of
studies and amusements in the clty-but
all has changed. My country is now in
the midst of the saddest of all wars, a
civil strife. l think it will be interesting
to you and to the readers of Hdrper's
| Young People to hear something of the
present situation in Chill, and of the rea-
sons which have obliged the peaceful in
habitants of this country to declare war
| against the president, Don Jose Manuel
Balmaceda.
For many months past the president
had separated himself from the best men
OF the country; he called to the Ministry
men without position and of bad reputa-
tion. The Congress exacted their dis
missal, which the president refused, and
ordered the closing of Congress. 1t
would be too long to describe all that
took place during the winter, or to write
at length all the abuses committed by
the president and his ministers. Accord
ing to the constitution of this country
the president has to govern with the
Congress, but Balmaceda openly vio-
lated the constitution and the laws. The
time was approaching for the elections,
and the people wanted to elect their own
president, but Balmaceda had his own
candidate, one of his favOrites, whom
the people and the Congress refused to
accept.
Balmaceda saw them very determined,
and in December suppressed all public
meeting. One night the conservative
party was holding a peaceful meeting in
the rooms of their own club, and Balma-
ceda sent armed soldiers to attack it.
The members were not armed, so they
had to disperse. A boy, nineteen years
of age, Isidro Ossa, running away from
the soldiers, was shot dead in the street.
This embittered matters very much, for
his father belonged to one of the oldest
frmilies in Santiago, and is very much
respected by all.
The president went on from one abuse
to the other, the people trying by every
possible means to arrange matters be-
tween him and the Congress, but he re-
fused everything. On the lst of January
the deputies and senators signed solemn
act, exacting the abdication of Balma-
ceda, and on the 7th of the same month
the Chilian men-of-war turned against
the president, and declared themselves in
60 &c tl,n n,,1 ,f tln
This movement was to have been
seconded by the troops on shore, and
then it would have been only a revolu-
ton of a few hours, but one of the mill
tary chiefs advised the government, who
took most active steps to suppress the re-
belliOn, ordering the Imprisonment of
all the deputies and senators who had
signed the act. Those who could escape
went on board the men-Of-war others
hid, and some were taken prisoners.
Now began reign of terror; the presi- |
dent declared himself dictator and the
country under martial-law. He ordered
the closing of the courts of justice, of all
the public schools, all clubs, all the |
printing offices, dissolved the Naval
schools, the board of health-in one word, |
all the civilization of the country dis
appeared. The prisons are crowded
with gentlemen and young men.
A secret revolutionary committee was
formed in Santiago, meeting now in one
place, now in another-cOustantly i'll
danger and actively working for liberty. |
The fleet counted at first with few re-
sources, but quickly organized an army |
of recruits on the island of Santa Maria, |
in the south of Chill, the young men from
Santiago, Valparaiso, and other cities es-
Gaping in disguise, in open boats and as
they could, to the fleet. Meantime, on
land, the suffering was terrible, and sue |
cess seemed almost hopeless, for the die |
tator had all the army, and continued re-
cruiting the laborers from all the estates |
by force. All the houses and estates of |
opposition gentlemen were searched for |
arms, and many of the sons flogged ter
ribly to oblige them to declare where |
their fathers hid. Our dear old home,
San Gabriel, of which l have written so
often, was entered by an armed force of
ruffianly soldiers, who searched and pill |
laged the house, took all the finest |
horses, and conveyed as prisoners to tho |
town of Linares our Overseer and two of
our men servants. Fortunately we were |
not there. As the soldiers have con-
tinued visiting the place, it has been i'm
possible for us to return there. nor is it |
safe in Santiago, so we have spent this
sad summer ON another farm.
In Santiago the opposition founded
two free newspapers, called La ReuOtu-
cion and Ell Constitutional. Icannot tell |
you how very difficult it has been to pub
lish them, as the government has spies
everywhere. The distributors Of these |
papers are young girls and ladies.
In the month Of February the feet
took possession Of the port Of Iquique,
after several terrible encounters with
large numbers of government troops.
This victory was followed by many
others, but all have cost hundreds of
lives. Gentlemen and young men from
Santiago have fought as private soldiers
ON the side of the opposition, for this is
a struggle for life, for civilization, and
for the liberty which we have entirely
lost under the dictator.
The opposition are now in possession
of four rich provinces, from Tarapaca to
COquimbO, and we may expect from one
day to another decisive battle in the
of Santiago to end this
time of suffering and despotism. Large
numbers Of government troops have
lately gone over to the opposition, which
have been enthusiastically received. 1
am glad 10 say that patriotism has been
more powerful than Balmaoedas gold,
for while the dictator offered rewards to
those who helped him, the opposition
worked only for their country
Several European powers have already
the representatives Of Con
gress as the lawful government, The
london. Times and the Illustrated London
Nelss have published Interesting articles
on the war In Chill.
Z. Lhdd forgotten to tell you that all cor
has become impossible, let
lets being opened at the pOstofiice by
order of the dictator. ] take advantage
oi an opportunity Of sending this by a