The Iola register., 1891-10-02
BALMACEDA'S SACRIFICE.
Text of His Last Letter to the
Argentine Minister.
Pasheiic differences of a Proud but Fallen
man After Deciding to Eud His
Own Life.

SANTIAGO, CHILL, VIA GALVESTON,
TEX, September 29.-[Special cable to
the New York Herald. II send you the
complete text of letter written by
President Balmaceda Oh the night be
fore he killed himself at the Argentine
Legation. 1t was addressed to the
Minister of the Argentine Republic
Senior Don Jose de Uriber. The Span
ish used betrays strong evidence of the
extreme nervous tension to which Bal
maceda must have been subject. His
choice of words is not always OF the
best, and his grammar is occasionally
faulty. AS he was perfectly able to
write excellent Spanish, these faults in
the letter only go to show the terrible
excitement under which he was labor
ing. The letter is as follows:
SANTIAGO. September lg-My Dear Sir and
Friend: IN conformity with what we have pre-
yIously said and as you well know. must give
a solution to the situation to which am placed.
and ought not te prOlOng any further the asy-
lum which, IN eVentful moments you have 50
generously given me, and which | recommend
To nv family Ile greatest service nave re-
ceived in my life. The eXasperation of my
enemies renders them liable, should my resi-
dence by found out, to go to eNtremities which
shall avoid by the greatest sacrifice a cOur-
ageOuS man can make. You know have
Scorned vulgar evasion, deemilg il unworthy of
man who has ruled over the destinieS Of
Chililns, and more so to excuse the nc Of tri
umphant revolution. had decided. therefore,
/ of nv own yolitiou to place myself in the hands
! OF the Junta De GObierno, hoping that the con-
stitution and the laws would in the end prevail
| and protect everyone. However with all the
chiefs and officers in the army. all the senators
and representatives, the municipalities. the ju-
dietary the public functiOnaries in all branches
of service accused and Brought 70 trial, prison
| ers or fugutiveS, and myself, who alone am
responsible before congress. dragged to justice,
| as represented by special judges and partisaHs
| of the revolution, to answer with cur persons
and properties for what We have done as a gov
| ernment. as if we had not constituted a govern
ment, wanton arbitraTineSS has been establish
| ed in such manner that l have lost all hope
| that Justice would be afforded.
Seeing that the spirit and tendencies of the
revolution have been made into "a government,
1 do not seek further 10 prolOng my asylum.
| / neither can nor ought to do or else accept the
! sacrifice Would to God that the latter sacri-
| flee would lessen the prosecutions Of my
! friends by those who think that in this way
they can humiate and wound me more keenly.
MAY God have mercy on the man thrown down
by the blows of misfortune. | bless you and
! your virtuous wife, and hope that my chill
dten will also bless you. Tell Arriety-he is
good and stays near my kindred-to perform the
! last merciful services without ceremony or any
following. Ny you and your wife and children
be ever happy. Yours,
| J. NJ. BALMACEDA.
| p. S.-P1ease comply with the intimate affair
of honor Recommended to you last night to-
wards the person you know YALE
Attached to this letter there was an
other brief postscript calling attention
to the fact that other letters would be
found addressed to his wife and his
mother and requesting that they be de-
livered to them. These letters SIMPLY
contain the unfortunate mans farewell
to his wife and mother. Minister Egan
assures me that in neither letter there
is the least reference to the motives
that drove Balmaceda to commit sui
eide