Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1891-10-06
BALMACEDA'S SACRIFICE.
Text of His Last Letter to the
Argentine Minister.
Patheiic differences of a Proud but Fallen
man After Deciding to Eud His
Own Life.

SANTIAGO CHILL, VIA GALVESTON.
TEX, Septem Der o. Special cable to
the New York Herald. II send you the
complete text of letter written by
President Balmaceda on 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 60 to show the terrible
excitement under which he was labor
ing The letter is az follows:
SANTIAGO, September l9-My Dear Sir and
Friend: In conformity with what we have pre-
viOusly said, and as you well know, must give
a solution to the situation to which am placed
and ought not tie prolOng any further the asy-
lum which, in eventful moments you have so
generously given me, and which / recommend
to nv family as the greatest service 1 have re-
ceved in my life The evaporation of my
enemies renders them LIABLE should my resi-
dence by found out, to go to extremities which
l shall avoid by the greatest sacrifice cour-
ageous man can make. You know have
Scorned vul gar evasion, deeming 1t unworthy of
IL man who has ruled over the destinies of
Chilians., and more so to excuse the &C s OF tri
umDhant revolution. l had decided. therefore.
of M: own volitiou 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
Oh efs and officers in the army. all the senators
and represent atives, the municipalities the jul
dietary, the public functiOnaries in all branches
of service accused and brought to trial, prison
ers or fugutives, and myself, who alone. am
responsible before congress- dragged to justice,
as represented by special judges and plrtisans
of the revolution to answer with our persons
and properties for what we have done as gov
eminent, as If we had not constituted a govern
ment, wanton arbitrariness has been establish
ed in such manner that have lost all hope
that justice would be afforded.
Seeing that the spirit and tendencies of the
revolution have been made into government,
! do not seek further to 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 humilate 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 My you and your wife and children
be ever happy. Yours
J. M. BALMACEDA.
P. S.-Please comply with the intimate affair
Of honor Recommended to you last night to-
wards the person you know. VALE"
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.