Page:A history of Chile.djvu/247

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CHAPTER III THE ADMINISTRATION OF BULNES THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT MONTT THE CIVIL WAR OF 1 859 General Manuel Bulnes was naturally the hero of Chile after having defeated Santa Cruz at Yungay. Chile adores her military heroes and cherishes their memories with national pride. Bulnes had fought at Maypo, at Ochagavia, at Lircay, and also against Bena- vides and the Pincheiras. General Prieto, the hero of Lircay, had been sufficiently honored by two terms in the presidency, he was now succeeded by General Bul- nes, who was a pelucone and a military hero of the old school, like his predecessor. He was a man of good judgment and made up in natural qualifications what he lacked in high birth and education. The new president was inducted into his high office in September, 1841, and immediately honored his asso- ciate in the late war, General Cruz, with the war port- folio. He formed his cabinet by naming leaders of different factions and parties for the different depart- ments; Don Manuel Montt was made minister of pub- lic instruction and justice, Don Manuel Renjifo, of foreign affairs. With such men at the head of the government mil- itarism and peluconism were paramount, although Bul- nes began his administration by declaring a general