The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-22
Ralmaoada unrerretted.

| bad Balmaceda, Chile's ex-president,
died two years ago the Chilean people "ouid
have put on mourning and erected monu~
ments to his memory. Now they io1otOe
that he is dead. And they are Giau ne uieu
by his own hand rather than as 'ic'iin VI
their vengeance. II they had caught MN
they would have made him pay the penai'y
of his crimes with his life
Few realized. until near the close OF MS
term as president, how great his amolIion
was and to what extremes ne was
prepared to go TO gratity IT,
throughout nearly his whole career
he was a notable man, and one greatly be-
loved. At his death be was 81 years OF age,
and at Is be was known as a leader of men.
| There was never any doubt Of his ability,
| and as an orator be had few equals. Had
he continued throughout his term OF presi-
dent as he began, and retired at the end of
it TO private life, he would now be the most
beloved man in Chile. and he would have
had place in Chilean history second to
that of no other Chilean.
There is no doubt that he made an excel
lent president as long as be respected the
constitution and the laws. Indeed for a
time be was the best president Chile ever
had. During the first three years Of his
administration the uation enjoyed marvel
Gus prosperity. Improvements were made
in the schools, highways, river and harbors,
and reforms of the most far-reaching and
beneficial kind were adopted in the admins
istration of the government.
d. a
a second term had been permitted by the
constitution. Knowing that he would have
to retire to private life at the end of his
term, he planned TO become dictator. His
purpose quickly became evident, and from
being the most popular man in the country
he became the most unpopular. The oppo-
sition which he encountered did not turn
him aside from his purpose. 1t seemed to
make him more determined. His scheme
was to make one of his tools president, and
through him dictate the policy Of the
government.
he had some grounds for hoping for sue
cess. He had the army and the treasury.
He failed to control the navy, however, and
the navy became the backbone of the oppo-
stion.
But even without the navy he thought he
could conquer the opposition. and for a
time it seemed as il no would be successful.
His army, however, was not in hearty
sympathy with him. 1t fought because it
was paid to do So The army of the oppo-
sidon fought for liberty and country, and
it triumphed, as it ought to have done.
After all, probably, Balmaceda did not
act unwisely in taking his own life Even
if he had found an asylum ia foreign land
neither peace nor pleasure would have been
bis. Remorse aud misery would have been
his constant companions. He would have
lived the balance of his life feeling
that he was despised and hated by the
people who once loved him, and that he
deserved their contempt and hate. Having
played for great stake and lost, life had
no attractions for him, especially as he had
sacrificed all that was worth living for.
The knowledge that he had caused
the death Of thousands of his countrymen,
and had brought his country TO the verge
Of bankruptcy, would have robbed life of
all pleasure. 1t is not strange, therefore,
that he preferred death, but it is strange
that having successfully played the part of
patriot so long, he should have abandoned
1t for that Of traitor.