Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-01-26
QD6lio. State;s'j.nrrar1l, 81 N
The Suicide Of Admiral H'nrcjn,
Commanding the Spanish Squad
ron In the Pacific. ..... ..

Commanding the spanish lSaluhO-
ron In the Pacific. ......... ...
Translated from the Chronica-the Spanish organ
In New York--of Jan. Ill
The shrewd diplomatist, experienced sea-
man and gallant officer who commanded
our squadron in the Pacific, died December
3, on being informed of the mishap to La
Covadonga, when he was on the point OF
vindicating the national flag In decisive
manner. His susceptibility on the point OF
honor could not bear an event so common
in war, and the death of Admiral Pareja
reveals at once the temper of his soul bet
ter than any other encomium. Whoever
may be the next commander of the Spanish
squadron in the Pacific, he cannot fail to
perceive his duty in view of the national
honor and the immense loss we have sus-
tained. We feel for the illustrious deceas-
ed the most profound regret and offer to
his successor our heartfelt sympathy, In
which all good Spaniards will unite.
We believe that all true-hearted Span
iards wh) have read the above lines have
appreciated their noblesignitication. Hay
ing now, however, further information, we
feel ourselves bound to add some exDlana-
tions necessary to fuller appreciation of
the great deed of the Spanish Admiral.
Admiral Pareja, who wished and expect
ed peace, not fearing any hostile act on the
part of Chill, had sent the Covadonga with
dispatches to the Isthmus. The capture of
the Covadonga took place on the 26th, and
the Admiral was ignorant of the fact until
the 28th, when one of the foreign cOnsuls
went on board the Villa de Madrid and in
formed him OF the event. On the 10Th, after
brooding some thirty hours over the dis
grace, the report Of pistol was heard in
his cabin, and upon entering he was found
dead-shot by his own hand through the
right temple. On his table paper was
found, written in firm hand, directing
that his body should be sunk out of the
Chilian waters, and urging his officers and
men to act with honor. " 10. ..
Admiral Pareja had received the day be-
fore instruC tions from the Government of
Madrid, the nature of which is not yet
known. But 1t is to be belived that hav-
ing to choose between duty and honor, be-
fore the affair of the COvadonga, he deter
mined to sacrifice his life, and accordingly
died as should become Spanish officer
under such circumstances. ,-
In connection with the glorious fate Of
Admiral Parcja, we must say that the cap
ture of the Covadonga was a misfortune,
and nothing more. The surprise of the
Covadonga was simply an unfortunate acci-
dent; but since it has been attempted to
make it seem disgrace to Spain, we refer
in reply to the heroic sef-sacrifice made by
Admiral Pareja. Let it be remembered
that this was the man who was too noble
hearted to shell Valparaiso when twas at
his mercy, and that a navy possessing such
officers must ever hold the esteem of the
world.
We do not pretend to defend suicide; but
when tis an act of disintereSted sacrifice,
then we do not only approve it, but glority
it, and the suicide of Admiral Pareja must
be classed among those suicides which hu-
manity regards with admiration, and no
one of them has ever been committed in
order to redeem so light and error as the
capture of the COvadonga