A Sad Fate

The suicide of General Sir Hector McDonald is a sad thing to contemplate. Here was a man who rose from the ranks to become a major general and earned every one of his promotions for bravery and daring on many a bloody field. He was a genuine soldier and led the British flag to victory in various parts of the world. He was a Majuba Hill, where he was compelled to surrender his sword, but his life was saved by the Boer commandant when a rifle was aimed at his breast, because of the conspicuous bravery he had shown in the fight. He was recognized as one of the strong men of the late Boer war and was held in the highest esteem by his government. Since the close of the Boer war he has been in command of the English forces in Ceylon. That the man must have had extraordinary talents to have reached his high station, is evidenced by the fact that his advancement was won in the famous Gordon Highlander regiment. A life time of faithful and brilliant service was behind him and his were the rewards of such service. But according to the charges there was in this otherwise splendid character defects, the consequences of which laid him low after twenty-nine years of service of his country of which any man might justly be proud. He was charged with gross immorality and at the time of his suicide was on the way back to Ceylon to face a court-martial. Just was these charges specifically were the world may never know, and it is best probably that is should not. But his resort to suicide rather that face the charges against him indicates that the matter of moral rectitude is become a living factor of even army life. It is regrettable that this brave and brilliant Scot, who had served his country so ably should not have served his own honor equally as well. And because of his great service to his country the world will regret that the mantle of charity could not have been thrown over his weakness and his life thus saved to additional deeds of honor to his country and possibly better service to his higher self. It is always a great shock when a public life like that of Gen. McDonald goes out under an eclipse.