Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 September 1891 — THE TYRANT IS DEAD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE TYRANT IS DEAD.

IN HIS DESPERATION BALMACEDA SUICIDES. Valparaiso and Santiago Wild with Savage Exultation—The National Holidays Prolonged In Celebration of the Event—London Relieved—Hls Last Letter. How the News Was Received. The suicide of Balmaceda is the one absorbing and exciting topic of conversation In Valparaiso. There is a mingled feeling of savage rejoicing at

his death and of bitter regret that he should have killed himself instead of tailing into the clutches of the Infuriated citizens, who would have delighted to rend him limb from limb for the long list of cruelties for which they ho!d him responsible.

It is impossible for any one not in this country or not a native to realize the Intensity of the hatred that was entertertalned toward the ex-President The national holidays were prolonged by the news of the suicide. The feasts, Illuminations, and other celebrations in honor of the success of the Congressional party were followed by the marching of frenzied crowds through all the streets shouting songs of triumph over the death of their former ruler. The Valparaiso papers came out with extras from Santiago about the suicide. The Argentine Minister at Santiago, la whose house Balmaceda killed himself, resolutely refused to furnish any of the local papers with a copy of the pathetic letter written by Balmaceda a short time previous to his shooting himself, in which he defends his course as President. It is the general belief that Palmaceda’s death will hasten in a great degree the restoration of peace throughout Chili Now that the chief enemy of the J unta is no more it is likely that his followers will Le shown mercy, since without Balmaceda to direct them they are little to be feared. Italy, France, Sweden, Spain, and Norway have followed the lead of the United States in official recognition of the Junta. Ger- * many, it will be remembered, was the second nation to do so. No official recognition has yet come from England. This creates considerable comment. In London the news of Balmaceda’s death made a marked Impression. The general feeling in English commercial circles Is one of leliof and joy. While Balmaceda lived there oyer could be no

assurance that he might not stir up another revolution to the great detriment of the English interests in control of the nitrate traffic. The matter was the news sensation In Washington. It was as startling as it was unexpected. i “So has blown his brains out,” said Mr. Foster, the Chilean confidential agent “I am sorry to/hear of his going off in that way, but it was probably the best thing he conid do. He found all manner of escape cut off. He had failed in an attempt to cross the Andes. He had not the physical strength to endure the liardsh’ps of a journey through the mountain passes in midwinter. He was cut off from his vessels and found it impossible to get out of Santiago without detection. These facts undoubtedly preyed upon his mind and all hope left him. In his extremity he resorted to the pistol. Self-murder did not havo as much.terror for him as it would have for others who believe in a future state. While Balmaceda studied for the priesthood up the teachings and traditions es his fathers and became almost an atheist. To those who knew the feeling aroused by Baltr.aceda’s acts of tyranny there is no surprise at all that the masses should rejoice at his death. He was a bad man, ani Chili is glad to get rid of him in any manner. Everything, however, #ill soon quiet down, and with Balmaceda out of the way peace is assured.” J Balmaceda left a statement to the press of the United States. As almost the last declarations of a dying man they are of especial importance. He says: “I acted during the past eight months with the firm conviction that I was right. I had no ono in the army on whom I could place my trust. My generals were false to me. They lied all through the war. Had my Orders been obeyed I believe that the battle of Concon would have resulted in a decisive victory against the"enemy. My heart all through, this trouble has been with Chili. I sought to rescue my country from foreign domination. I strove to make her the first republic in America. My enemie3 say that I was cruel. Circumstances compelled me to sanction certain acts, but trany bad deeds that have been attributed to my orders were never known by me until they had been committed. “Until the final tattle at Placilia I had strong hopes of triumphing over my foes. Victory was assured by my generals, Aflcerecca, Barbosa and Viel. They afll lied. I now know those who pretended friendship for me only because of the money that was to be gotten oat of me. All the money that I htuye in,, my possession is $2,500. My wile gave it to me on the night of Aug. 28. “Your minister, Patrick Egan, many times offered me good advice. He urged me to make peace with those opposed to me and to retire from. Chili. I did not heed his wise advice, for I thought he was under the influence of the junta’s orders, who were then refugees in theAmeri.can legation. All through tho trouble my closest advisers were alwaysopposed to any overtures for peace. ” Tremendous fires have been raging west of Willmar, Minn., and large tracts of prairie land burnt over. A strong wind has made it impossible to stay the fury of the flames- A gr.eat deal of hay In staclcshas been destroyed, and three or four miles of railroad track has been burnt and made Impassable. At Leavenworth, Kan., three hundred, coal m’ners went on a strike, and three hundred more will probably Join them. The miners demand an advance of half a cent per pushel. They are now receiving 4 cents per bushel. This the companies decline thus far to give. Charges were made at Ottawa, Out,, that several members of Canada's Parliament are guilty of booking by making false declarations as to salaries. Preparations for the microscopical examination of park for export at Kansas City are complete, and work will begin at once*. ffomen will be employed exclusively

BALMACEDA.