Washington sentinel., 1898-08-13
Suicide ON the BattIe Field

ago emphasizes the stubbornness
with which some OF Spain's people
cling to thecustoms OF ancient and
medieval ages. Spain's civiliza-
ton finds its origin in the old
Roman emrI ire and still retains
many of the characteristics OF that
famous government oil Caesar,
Cicero and Antony.
Among the old Romans it was
sort of a popular custom tor a de-
feated military leader to die by his
own sword. There was no law to
this effect, a foolish idea of tor
feited honor causing so much OF
the thing that it became almost a
general custom. In China and
among Mahomedan countries, the
habit still finds force. while in
Turkey military leader commits
suicide whenever he receives a
bowstring from the Sultan S official
household, because such is the
customary way Of informing an
officer that his death will be of
more service to the army than his
further existence.
In ancient history there are ac-
counts galore OF defeated com
manders who took their own lives,
and, indeed, OF the self destruction
OF whole armies. Perhaps the most
extraordinary instance Of the kind
is that recounted by Plutarch after
Caius Marius had defeated the
Cimbrians. He says: "The Rom
ans drove back the fugitives to
their camp, where they found the
most shocking spectacle. The
women standing in mourning by
their carriages killed those that
fled; some their husbands, some
their brothers, others their fathers.
They strangled their little children
with their own hands, and thrC W
them under the wheels and horses
feet. Last OF all, they killed them
selves. They tell us of one that
was seen slung from the top OF
wagon, with child hanging from
each heel. The men, for want of
trees, tied themselves by the neck
some to the horns of oxen, others
to their legs, and then pricked
them on, that by the starting OF the
beasts they might be strangled or
torn apart. More than 10000 are
said to have perished.
The history of Rome furnishes
a long, long series OF famous mill
tary commanders who made sui
eide the penalty Of defeat. Brutus
is an illustrious example, and so
is Nero. and likewise Cato. Stole
Switzerland at one time, too, held
suicide up as the proper method
for defeated general to end his
earthly career. England, Scotland
and France also have a few in
stances where defeated generals
tried to mellow the disgrace Of
ieatby death at their own hands.
Many defeated political generals
of these countries have drowned
the sorrows of defeat in seli-in
f1icted death. A striking example
OF this latter class is found in Lord
Castlereagh, the great English
premier, who came near fastening
England with the Holy Alliance
as against that political declaration
now known as the Monroe Doc
trine. IfPremier CANNING had not
reversed the policy Of Premier
Castlereagh and England had
joined with the rest of Europe to
reconquer the revolving Spanish
provinces, the maps Of North
aud South America might wear
different aspects than they do to-
day. In passing it is worthy OF
mention that Canning and Castle
reagh tried to exterminate each
other on the duel field over a
political quarrel.
The idea OF taking refuge from
trouble and defeat in suicide can
be traced to the doctriaes Of the
Stoics. They apotheosized the
man who DESTROYED himself, for
they made claim that death
brought a surcease OF trouble.
Then again foolish enthusiasm of
clothing the military leaders of
olden days with a supposedly in
vineible power is partially to blame
for the suicide habit. The leaders
were looked upon as gods by their
followers, defeat left them less than
a man, and death loomed up before
the defeated captains as an easier
path to travel than years OF disdain
and lost prestige. tits refle :tion
OF these same sentiments which
causes a man to commit suicide at
any time. 1t is a belief which
echoes to the cowardly doctrine OF
the Stoics that death brings a sur
cease OF trouble.