The assassination attempt failed and Morales was forced to flee the country, heading to Peru and remaining there until the overthrow of Jorge Córdova.

Eventually, General Morales changed sides and, after uniting all the factions fighting against the President, deposed Melgarejo via coup d'état in January, 1871.

Bolivia jubilantly celebrated its liberation, taking in happily the awakening from a terrible nightmare, determined to return to normality, and to reverse the values invested in the dark and mournful times [of Melgarejo's regime] because the world has to regain its balance.

Of legendarily volcanic temperament, Morales endeavored to rule as a dictator, but was exposed as semi-literate when, in 1872, one of his letters was published in the newspapers by a famous Bolivian writer.

[4] Embarrassed, Morales called Congress for the first time since the early Achá administration and declared himself ready to leave office if considered unworthy.