Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-08-01
The Execution Of MAMMALIAN.
WALLINopoRp, July 10, 1867


Editor. Rutland Herald Much has been
said respecting the execution of Maxi.
milan by the Mexicans. While CON-
psratively few openly signify their ap.
probation OF the deed, many lament the
mortal stain which they say has been
put upon the American continent by the
inhuman barbsrity OF the Liberals. Be-
fore We pass judgement upon an act OF
such signal import, / deem 1t just and
proper that we examine the moda epsr-
aadi by which this ambitious man,
backed by European dynastles, has at
tempted the usurpstlon and perpetual
disfranchisement Of free people. While
the attention and force of the American
Union was diverted to the suppression
of a mammoth insurrection within its
own limits; while, indeed, the great ad-
vent of civil and religious liberty, the
exponent OF popular government and
the stern and infleXible adherent OF the
Monroe doctrine, was exhausting its en-
ergies by struggles and contortion for
Its own existence, the powers OF France
and Austria sought to rob the brthright
Of weak race; and, placing the throne
of the C@sars within the Western Hem
isphere, gave the sceptre of dominion to
the brother of Francis Joseph. 1t has
been claimed in Justification Of Maxi
MILAN, that the imperial government
was not substituted for the popular, but
by the invitation of the inhabitants.
By this, we are to understand, is meant
majority OF the beople. Now If he
was invited by majority Of the people,
1t Is natural inference that that ma
jority, which is generally stronger than
the minority, would be able, unassisted,
to support him in his usurpation; but
the facts have been otherwise; and the
falsity of this statement has been dem.
onstrated by the circumstance that he
has been obliged to rest the pedestal
OF his hopes upon foreign! bayonets;
and when they are withdrawn, he sees
his tissue structure collapse like the
"baseless fabric of dream" and finds
himself prisoner in the hands of his
enemies. He is shot; shot as honorably
as other prisoners of war are ever shot;
and yet there is blaze of indignation.
What has this great philanthropist done
that he should deserve better fate
Shall julius Caesar be caressed because
he destroyed the liberties OF Rome?
History, the record Of past experience.
reads a lesson that cannot be mistaken.
The unsuccessful asuper pays the forfeit Of
his presumption tcttA his life.
Contrary to the principles of a wise
invader, Macmillan denounced the Lib
erals as traitors and rebels, and sus-
pended over them the black flag of ex-
termination, because the spark OF liberty
failed to die in their bosoms. He thus
reused in their souls the tinge of ven
geance, and invited an application of the
Ler TaltOnts. What can compel us, save
an erratic philanthropy, to reproach
the Mexicans for hurting the shafts of
their indignation at the source of their
misfortunes
1t is but the sacrifice Of another vic
tim to rash and boundless ambition;
and, although the arch traitor and the
Vampires of the rebellion, unpublished
for their odious crimes, yet desecrste by
their presence the fair country they
strove to ruin, it is by no means an ar
gument that we should extenuate our
own delinquency, by reflections upon the
more laudable and statesmanlike action
of the Mexican government. tbs.
THE FIREAEN's MUsrBR.-A late num-