The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-12
Maximilian's Decree.


The proclamation and decree Of the called Emperor
Macmillan published at Mexico the I'd and Sd days
of this month cannot but fill with indignation, not only
all loyal Mexican citizens but every endowed with
an ordinary share of recude and justice regardless of
nationality.
Since the French army first set foot on Mexican
soil, carrying there the Ubiquitous warfare which
for four years past has desolaed and devastated our
country, Its progress has been marked by ruthless
slaughter thousands Of Mexcans have persisted in bat
tie, others by military executions by the cold booded
legalized murder resulting from their summary court
martials All this, and worse, has been inflicted our
compatriots; but the socaled Emperor has never yet
had the audacy TO publish in the face of the world,
decree condemnng Mexican citizens to DEATH solely be-
they have committed the crime Of being Mexcans
mitigating law by which SON Is accounted worthy Of
motherY
decree those noble patriots who rather than debase
themselves by submitting the yoke he would fain i'm
pose them, prefer enduring the penalties, suferngs
and privations consequent on incessant warfare
These same patriots are outlawed, and condemned 70
be shot within twenty four hours, because they will
aid the emperor to pay his European debts; be-
cause lacking food and clothing, struggling desperately
Gnd consequently having neither the means nor time to
organize regular and united army, they reassembe
handful OF calling themselves guerias, who
brave death and suffer all things in defence Of their
country.
According To Maximian g decree the 'sandit' Ia not
sufficiently punished by ignomnious DEATH his crime is
not properly expated In accordance with the doctrines
Of humanity and civilization imported BY the Emperor
and promulgated by his Decree whatsoever affords shell
aid comfort to the outlaw subject TO pun
ishment. while the family Of the socaled criminal
condemned TO the tender merces OF the court martial
In the last clause Of his decree Macmillan offers par
don and amnesty TO all who consent TO lay down
and recognize his sovereign authority-namey he
grants them their lives condition that they will de-
grade themselves by treason and perjury.
Laws such as thos decreed by Maximlian Cbacked by
the bayoncs that opened his pathway TO the mpe
rial throne, reeking with the blood OF the innocent in
shilling the most eicacious of sustaining
his toterng authority will succeed in multi
plying the number of his victims and branding him for
ever In the sight of the world and future ages.
Napoleon III must be rroud Of his worthy prstgs and
content with tho share Of glory acquired by his army in
the support Of Maxmians actions and the execution
Of his laws.
What would have been the fate OF the Mexican empire
without the support Of FranceS And with IT, what
would have been dts fate II small portion Of the army
Of the United States before recovering from the atgucs
of which resulted In the establishment OF Of
the most glorious principles Of humanity reedom had
advanced still further In the path TO glory and 'rcstng
arms Mexican SOIL had crushed forever Macmillan
and hts satellites delivering nation from It's hateful
oppressors, rendering them happy and independ nts
JUAN TOGR0, Corporal Of the Mexican army.