The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-09-21
TIE END OF BALMAcEDA.

The suicide of Balmaceda saves the Gov
eminent of Chile from the risk of commit
ting a serious bunder. In country where
the populaee eXult with cheers over the
death of a political opponent the Govern
ment might have been betrayed into tarnlsh-
ing lis triumph by needless and barbarous
execution.
Balmaceda in taking his own life has
proved his desperate character. His
schemes of revolution had failed; his
canards had been exploded; his officers
we're untrue to him; he had been so merel-
less in the days of his power that he could
expect no mercy when he was down Ii he
had escaped when he tried to escape, 1t
would only have been in the hope OF return
ing to Chile and renewing his effort at a
future time, which would probably have
led to his death at the hands of his captors.
He seemed to have had no money and no
friends Other Spanish American leaders
took care before they embarked in revolu-
tiOnaTy enterprises to secure line oil re-
treat, and means to live on during their
exile. Balmaceda appears to have thought
neither Of the one nor Of the other. He
actually seems to have believed his own
b0mbastic predictions Of victory.
His farewell address contains nothing
which can redeem his memory. He says
that he sought to rescue his country from
foreign domination. What foreign power
threatened the independence OF Chile? So
far as the world knows, every power, Amer
lean and European, was in close alliance
with the Chilean republic; not one Of them
harbored any designs against it. The for
eign enemy only existed in the Dic,a.Or's
Imagination. He says he wanted to make
Chile the first republic in America. The
wish was honorable, but the methods by
which it was to be gratiied were the over
throw of constitutional liberty, and the
erection in its place of military deSpotism
with Balmaceda at its head There are in
every country people who think that affairs
would be better conducted if they were en-
trusted with supreme irresponsible power.
So they might perhaps, but no people can
afford to try the experiment of abdication
in favor of a Self-chosen despot, and any
one who attempts to make himself despOt
forfeits liberty and life.
The termination of the struggle between
the supporters and the foes of the Constitu-
ton of Chile must be gratifying to all who
wish well to the Spanish American peoples.
With those races the trouble has always
been that in the'absence of political traiu-
ing, they have been unwilling to ubmit to
the decisions of the ballot. and defeated can
didates for power have often been able to
plunge their country into civil war. The
bloodleSs revolution in Brazil and the COM
plete overthrow of Balmaceda after a SIX
months struggle indicate that the Spanish
Americans are learning. They are quicken
ing to a better appreciation of the folly of
war as an arbitrament between contending
parties. For some time to come there Will
always be in those countries rabble to
which war means plumber and subsistence
without toll. But as education and trade
progress, this rabble will diminish in num-
beTS, while the better class, which is will
ing to submit to decisions at the polls, is
naturally on the increase.
1t is a matter of regret that the joy of the
Chileans over the triumph OF the COnstitu-
tOnals appears to be accompanied by I'M
friendly feelings toward this country
Those feelings are based on imperfect infor-
nation. When the Itata broke bounds and
sailed out Of San Diego with cargo Of
arms and kidnapped United States Mar
shall, the Government had no choice but to
reeapture her. When Senior Montt applied
vainly for recognition while the issue Of the
war was uncertain, the State Department
exhibited mere common prudence in bidding
| him wait little while. Neither incident
implied sympathy for Balmaeeda. As a
matter Of fact American sympathy has
been all along with the Congressonals.
Americans have hoped that they
would succeed. and would have been
! distressed if they had been crushed. In
stead of cherishing angry feelings toward
this country, the people of Valparaiso ought
! to feel that the ancient ties of friendship
| which bind Chile to the United States have
been drawn closer by recent events.