While he affected to dislike continual reelection, he saw to it nevertheless that he himself should be the sole candidate who was likely to win.
Barrios doubtless could have remained President of Guatemala for the term of his natural life if he had not raised up the ghost of federation.

All the republics of Central America accepted his invitation in 1876 to send delegates to his capital to discuss the project.

But nothing was accomplished because Barrios and the President of Salvador were soon at loggerheads.

Nine years later, feeling himself stronger, Barrios again proposed federation.

But the other republics had by this time learned too much of the methods of the autocrat of Guatemala, even while they admired his progressive policy, to relish the thought of a federation dominated by Guatemala and its masterful President.