The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-07-12
obituary-The Archduke Maximillian

CD1Luafy-Ine 6rCnduke 1dXlmlll1an
Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph, archduke
OF Austria and sometime emperor of Mex
ico,a was born at SclDnbrunn on the 9th of
j aly, lS3@ AHeEas captured by Juarez,
the liberal president of Mexico. at Quere-
tafo onthe 10th of May and shot on the
9Th OF j une, BY his captors. His fatEer
was Francis Charles joseph, archdnke of
Austria, and MS mother, Sophie DTothea
daughter of Macmillan l. king of Ba-
varia. Upon the abtieation of Ferdinand,
emperor of Austria, the archduke renoun-
ced bis claim to hiekuccessor in favor of
his eldest son, the present emperor, the
brother Of the subject Of this sketch. The
abdicating emperor, in gisingup his throne
uncduaily divided his power and gave an
advantage to the archduke Macmillan, to
the detriment of the elder brother. Such
was the origin OF the constant, and at times
very warm differences which arose between
the two,
Maximillian received his education at vi
emma, then, as now one of the gayest and
most dissolute capitals of Europe. He did
not, however, indulge in the frivolltles so
common to the nobility of Austria, but APP
pears to have spent a great part OF his
youth in study and travel At an early age
he entered the navy of the empire, and saw
considerable service at sea, sailing about
the Mediterranean, and visiting the ada
cent countries-Greece, Italy, Morocco,
French, Algeria, Spain and Portugal. At
the age of twenty two be was placed at the
head of what is termed by courtesy the
the Austrian marine, and with a squadron
visited the coasts of Syria and Palestine
He went also to the Red sea, and took
,,,+o II
which were then inst beginning In 1856
he paid arisit to Paris, and spont a fort
night at ST. Cloud with Louis Napoleon.
The year following he was appointed viceroy
of Lombardy and Venice, and, in exercise
ofthe powers attached to the position, soon
made himself quite favorite among the
Italians. This popularity was, however
dlspleasing to Francis Joseph, and in 1859
he was removed. He is said to have exhib-
tied great courage and decided administra-
tive abilities while xjceroy. 1t is related
that he used to walk about the streets Of
Milan. aud Venice quite alone during the
fetes, aud among the crowd, aud would
never allow the police to be on the watch.
One day at Venice, when the Italian mobiles
had plotted to make hostile demonstra-
ton against him on the Plaza Sc. Marco,
he discounted and quite converted them to
his side by tucking his wife under his arm
and coming among them unattended, and
on foot, with courage and frankneSs that
disarmed every one. Another time, Just
after Orisms attempt at Paris, his life was
said to be also threatened, and his friends
begged him not to expose himself; but he
immediately ordered his carriage to go to
the theater, taking with him count Strom-
boil, to whom he said, laughing: eff am
to be blown up, it shall at least be in good
company Tn,
Maximillian remained idle after his re
moval from the governorship Of the Lom-
bardo-N enitau Kingdom until 1862, when
| Napoleon decided on making catspaw Of
him in Mexico. The crown Of Mexico was
offered to him by Napoleon in August,
1862, aud the diplomats were put to work
to arrange for his acceptance and occupancy
the throne. Nearly a year was occupied IN
this work, and it was not until the 10th of
August, 1864, that he formerly accepted
the pronered crown. BY the terms Of the
acceptance he made a conditional renuncia-
ton of the right Of eventual succession to
| throne of Austria, ard unconditional re-
nunciation of his share of the family estates
amounting to 10000 600 forms. The con-
dtion Of The Remuneration of the right to
| the succession vas mat Sucn remuneration
might be revoked, should Maximillian,
| finding his foothold in Mexico insecure,
| choose to resign, within six years from the
| date Of his acceptance Of the crown.
The career of Maximillian as the so cal
led emperor Of Mexico is well known to
the people of this country. His first official
act was to offer terms to Juarez looking to
| the submission of the latter. These were
rejected, and then followed the past years
of war and bloodshed, with alternate sue
cess, and the present final defeat Of the
imperiaiists. His efforts to attract emigra-
ton and to develop the resources of the
country are well known. as are also his per-
sonal sacrifices for the success Of his cause.
That he failed was only natural aud ex-
pected result, but it is doubtful if he would
! have met the terrible fate to which Juarez
assigned him had he not issued his famous
order declaring the republican president
and his supporters bandits and ont laws
The entire responsibility of his death must
rest upon Napoleon, who first induced him
to take the proffered crown, and afterwards
deserted him Personally Maximilian had
the reputation of being a most accomplished
gentleman and scholar.
The Spice Of Life.