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234 A HISTORY OF CHILE haps, but the latter left for Europe of his own accord. This caused a rupture between the clergy and the gov- ernment and the former was joined by the pelucones, dissatisfied now with the president they had elected. There were many citizens imprisoned or banished for political offenses, which the opposition now sought to have returned to civil rights. Some of the pelucones joined with the liberals and passed a general am- nesty law through congress, in spite of the protests of the government. This still farther separated the pelucones from the government. A new ministry was formed with Salvador, San Fuentes, and other leading liberals, as members, and for a time the agitation subsided. But at the end of three months the new ministers resigned and the opposition became pro- nounced. The subsequent elections which soon followed (1858),- increased the political ferment. For a time liberals and conservatives laid aside their ancient differences and united in opposition to the government. The pres- ident determined upon more stringent and repressive measures ; newspapers were suppressed, meetings dis- persed and leaders apprehended. The liberals insisted upon a revision of the constitution, making it more democratic in some of its provisions. A meeting was called in the capital, having for its object the forma- tion of a club to agitate the question of constitutional revision. The government prohibited the meeting and apprehended those who assembled in pursuance of the call, December 12th. A state of siege was declared and repressive measures were more strenuously enforced. The result was a revolution, fomented by the liberals and abetted by many of the old pelucones. Copiapo, Talca, Talcahuano, San Felipe and Putaendo joined the revolutionists. The government had the army and the