He had been in Cordova in 1830, and had inspired its artisans and laborers with the love of liberty and equalality, in the broadest sense of these terms; and, though he was now dead, his ideas remained in the hearts of the people.
Obscure men who rise to power through the chances of social revolutions, never fail to persecute in others the intelligence and knowledge which they have not themselves; when the ignorant rule, civilization is brought down to their own level, and woe to those who rise above it, be it ever so little. In France, in 1793, the sovereign people guillotined those who could read and write as aristocrats; in the Argentine Republic, men of culture were called savages, and had their throats cut, and though the name seems mere irony, it is something more when applied by the assassin, knife in hand. The Caudillos of the interior rid their provinces of all lawyers, doctors, and men of letters; and Rosas pursued them even within the walls of the university and private schools. Those who were allowed to remain were such persons as could be useful in getting up a repetition of the government of Philip II. of Spain, and of the Inquisition.
Barcala felt himself to be a gentleman, and united a spotless reputation to great professional knowledge, and a talent for strategy which placed him among officers of the first rank. He made himself famous in the army of Brazil, and Paz and other officers of note regarded him with a respect amounting to veneration. Quiroga, who shot all the officers made prisoners at Ciudadela, spared him the—only one who had fought until the last of his men were surrounded, and retreat
