THE PERUVIAN WAR 321 date apart from official influence. At this juncture the conservative party espoused the candidacy of Baque- dano, not having a suitable name to present as its offi- cial candidate^ and sought in this way to fall in with the popular movement. The conservative leaders de- nounced official interference in the nominations and elections, and sought to bring about a reunion of their party with the Montt-Varistas, the latter being a branch of the ancient conservative party, opposed to radical reforms and in favor of aristocratic government, but at this time without very well-defined political maxims. They, the Montt-Varistas, knew the government influ- ence to be strong and, therefore, decided in favor of the official candidate. Santa Maria was nominated. But dissensions were rife and on the loth of June General Baquedano withdrew his name; this gave the death blow to the movement which had been started against the government. The latter carried the elec- tions, and the opposition suUenl}' acquiesced, heaping opprobrium upon the president elect.* Santa Maria selected as his cabinet the following names: Minister of the interior, Don Jos6 Francisco Vergara ; foreign relations, JDon Jos6 Manuel Balma- ceda; justice, culture and public instruction, Don Eu- jenio Vergara ; finance, Don Luis Aldiinate ; war and navy, Don Carlos Castellon. The ministry was not en tirely satisfactory to the opposition, but still did not incite resistance, and the new government began its administration with fair prospects of success, and with hopeful expectations of bringing about several contem- plated reforms. Meanwhile the war in the north had been practically decided by the battles of Chorrillos and Miraflores,
- "?Era me orador ilustre? No. ?Un intcrjdrrimo magistrado? No. ?Un escri
tor notable? No. ?Un Sabio? No. ?Un caracter, un h^roe, un solado, siquiera? No." C. Walker Martinez. 21
