FIRST ACTS OF GUATEMALAN RULERS—INTRIGUES OF PARTIES—THEIR EVIL CONSEQUENCES—GAINZA'S INTRIGUES—INDEPENDENCE IN THE OTHER PROVINCES—REWARDS TO GAINZA—TROUBLES IN SALVADOR—DISSENSIONS IN HONDURAS—LOCAL SQUABBLES IN NICARAGUA—PREDILECTION FOR IMPERIALISM—COSTA RICA NEUTRAL—CONDITION OF VARIOUS SECTIONS—SECEDING DISTRICTS OF GUATEMALA—PERPLEXITIES OF THE JUNTA CONSULTIVA—ITURBIDE'S DEVICES—MILITARY PRESSURE—HIS PROPOSALS ACCEPTED—ILLEGAL ANNEXATION—PROTESTS AND RESISTANCE—WAR BEGINS. Among the first acts of the junta at Guatemala was the promotion of two officers who were supposed to be reliable supporters of the late movement.[III-1] Both proved themselves afterward recreant to their pledges, by their hostility to the republican cause. [Sidenote: PARTY STRIFE.] The cacos were republicans. They strove to rid the country of the antiquated errors and practices, including in their plans the abolishment of the privileges of the clergy, and the restriction of their power, which had been a constant source of injury to the people at large. They wanted the adoption of democratic institutions, in order to place the masses on the level heretofore occupied only by the ruling class. They succeeded in prevailing on the people to take an interest and a direct intervention in public affairs. Barrundia, Molina, and Córdoba led them to the galleries of the junta chamber to witness its acts, and even take part in its deliberations.[III-2] They attacked Valle for the clause he inserted in the acta of the 15th, to which I have alluded in the preceding chapter. On that point they certainly had a well-founded grievance, but their manner of presenting it resulted in a loss of confidence in the junta, the organization of new parties, and general distraction. The point taken by them, however, was decided in their favor by the junta. But the latter held secret sessions after the 29th of September, significant of sinister purposes. The other party—formerly constituting the ruling class—scouted the idea of equality. Most of the churchmen had the same feeling; for in joining the movement for separation from Spain their motive had been to shield their menaced prerogatives, rather than love for America or freedom. On the 18th of September Gainza wrote Iturbide, generalissimo of the so-called empire of Mexico, that his course had been hailed with joy, and that political parties had consolidated on the proposition of independence from Spain; hence he had proclaimed it. And that, since then, amid the transition from one system to another, the minds of the people of Guatemala had been fixed on Iturbide, and they had desired to tender him their congratulations as the liberator of New Spain.[III-3]