The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-07-12

| Everybody knew
in these dark days when hydra headed
rebellion is Tightening his Shiny coils about
the capital and the whole country is suffer
ing so bitterly because of the strife
fomented by few-that the men
must die. That would have been
foregone conclusion in any other
country, even had Our own proverbially
soft hearted Lincoln been at the helm; for
when a government vessel deliberately
turns traitor in the time Of war and goes
over to the enemy, the deserters, il cap
tured, expect nothing less than the death
penalty. But it was sad nevertheless, as
executions always are, however much the
condemned may deserve their doom; and in
this instance 1t was particularly narrowing
because not one trembling wretch, but
many, were sent into eternity by their own
countrymen. Some of the prisoners had
families living in the city, most Of them
were personally known to many people
both in Santiago and Valparaiso, and it was
whispered that among the sharp-shooters
who were detailed to
| FIRE THE FATAL voLLEY
were more than one brother, cousin and
intimate friend OF men to be killed.
The deserters had been kept some time
in the Santiago prison; but the stories that
rebel spmpathlzers have circulated in the
north, to the effect that they were fiogged,
starved and tortured, are entirely false.
This can vouch for on the authority Of
relatives OF the condemned men, who Wis
tied them often during their Incarceration.
The prisons of Chilli at best are horrible
places, and the keepers of them, like others
1 M al ho nrl6 ~
most refined and tender hearted individu-
ais. Indeed, believe that in all countries,
lailers, as a rule, are not selected with a
view to those virtues since prisons are es-
peciailly designed as places of punishment,
| for persons presumably meriting the same
AT daybreak on the morning of the Both,
the deserters were led out into the plaza,
where troops were already formed in hol-
low square; those about to die were ranged
in line with their faces toward the bright
ening east, prayers were said and each man
kissed the crucifix; then, while their hands
we're being tied, company of infantry
stepped quickly TO the front-presently the
word of command rang out sharp ana clear,
quick rattle Of musketry was heard, and
all was over.
OF course the insurgents characterize
this awful but necessary proceeding as
INFAMOUS BUTCHERY
on the part Of Balmaceda: but il is pre-
cisely what would have happened, under
similar circumstances, in countries far
more civilized than this, and it is
nothing to what may be expected
should the rebel horde succeed in
their mad design of capturing the capital,
oaerturning the federal government and
carrying out their oftrepeate6 threats Of
hanging the president. his cabinet, and the
most prominent loyal citizens to the lamp
posts OF Santiago. Should that dies irde
arrive, may none OF my countrymen, or
country women be here TO seei The regu-
lar army Of Chilli is bad enough, heaven
knows: but the irresponsible rif-raf, COM
posed of Adventures of every class, runa-
way crimina ais, and the oh-scourings Of the
country that would naturally cast in their
lot with such a scheme for the overthrow
of law and order, are thousand times
more TO be dreaded.
Within a week bombs have been thrown
at midday In the crowded streets of this
once gay capital, with the design Of mur-
dering the cabinet ministers as they were
leaving the hall Of congress. Another
bomb was hurled at q window Of the Mo
media where the President resides; and
others have been exploded in the public
promenades, regardless Of how many inno-
cent people may be killed, if only rebel
hate may be gratihed by the injury of any
body belonging to the federal government
EhNAL HANnlS NUMBER
have been sent in various guises to the
President, and also to the gentleman who
has been nominated for his successor; and
poison has been introduced into both their
houses, in fruit -four, and even in canned
goods, so that every article OF food TO be
consumed by themselves and their families
must be carefully anaiyzed before it goes
TO their tables. Think of it, you who are
peacefully dwelling III Goods country" |
hat eh<
United States would do were such things |
happening at Washington Would he be |
likely to allow deserving naval officers, |
bomb-throwers and other traitors 20 free
and uupunlshed!
No means are too INSCRIPTIONS for the |
desperate insurgents to use in gaining |
their point, because they have now gone so |
far that defeat means destruction or per-
petua exile for the leaders; and should |
they win, even to the extent OF holding |
possession OF the capital for one day, the |
scenes in Paris during the commune could |
not hold candle TO the atrocities that |
would be perpetrated, a. then In the sa-
cred but often abused name of liberty. |
With all these horrors envlroning him and |
the friends who yet remain faithful, it is |
no wonder that Balmaceda Is sick at heart. |
He is by no means tho Monster of Cru |
city" which certain ignorant newspapers Of |
the United States have represented him in |
big type and glowing head lines to be. On |
the contrary, he Is an exceedingly mild |
hammered, well educated and peace loving |
gentleman, who has lived ali his life among |
these people, Che Is now in the neighbor- |
hood Of 40 years old, and has never before |
been accused Of more
ARROGANCE OR CRUELTY
than is the natural heritage of the native |
Chilian-whose dollars, even, bear the |
characteristic motto. 'spor razon dc Jucrzd."
The present struggle is not Of his seeking,
for certainly nothing could be more detri- |
mental to his personal interests; and so far |
from prosecuting honest citizens, as has |
been alleged, it is eminently his policy to |
make no new enemies. But this gigantic |
rebellion he must put down, IL possible,
though snch ghastly scenes as that enacted |