North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-07-17
"PoOr Carlotta."
SQUIRE.

@Poor Cxrlotta r. Maximiliap was sho,
faced to the front. HIS last words were
"Poor Carlotta T. How tender and touch
ing is this convincing illustration of the
manly and generous nature of the fallen
Emperor. Abandoned by France, betray
ed by Mexican follower, tried by mill
tary tribunal of his implacable enemies
condemned to death, and brought out fol
execution, all interpretations in his behalf
from the representatives of foreign powers
having failed, this distinguished victim ot
Napoleon's "grand idea" would have been
justified had he devoted his last moment:
in denouncing the contrivers of his destruc.
tion and the barbarians thirsting for bis de
blood, and in deploring his untimely fal
in the strength of his manhood aud bi:
hopes. But Msxlmilian was a man of lar
GER breadth of mind and heroism than this
He had deliberately cast his life into the
scales in defense of his empire, he had
pledged his word in the name Of his impe-
rial house of Hapsburg to fight it out with
bis enemies, andslike a true soldier, he was
prepared for this last disaster. lie Iecog-
nized bis fate as resulting from the fortunes
Of war, and had neither denunciations Hor
regrets on his own account to make. Like
the dying gladiator at Rome
He rocked not Of bis life, nor of the priIs,
His heart was home, and that was far away
Face to face with his remorseless execu-
TONERS, awaiting but the word to ''fire p
all thoughts of his lost empire and his low
estate gave way to those endearing mem
cries and sweet affections which had linked
his life, his happiness, his fate and his am
bition with "poor Carlotta !" AS to drown
ing man numerous evenh of his past life
running through many years of time are
| vividly reproduced in few t1eeting seconds
SO to this victim Of Mexican vengeance
were, no doubt, recalled in the last mo-
ments Of his earthly existence those charm
ing recolections of his young, beautiful, gift
ted, accomplished and devoted wife, where
by he had become so fascinated with his
Mexican empire and his hopes of the Mex
lean people. that he could only relinquish
them with lis wife. Poor Carlotta -
Her triumphal journeys. her floral recep-
tions, her welcome charities, her gracious
ways, her catholic piety and her resistless
womanly gentleness among the susceptible
Mexcans, were all so faithfully devoted to
his cause as to develop in him the heroism
of the feudal ages. He was her gallant
knight, equipped by her own fair hands
for glorious crusade she was his queen
| of love and beauty to whom his word as q
soldier and his faith as a devotee were
pledged. All these thoughts recurred to
him as the memories Oft golden dream
and from these and tha. other thought, thai
abe had hopefully braved the dangers o.
the seas, and the doubtful generosity o
France in his behalf, only to be repeled
in despair, and TO be doomed to a living
death. came the inspiration to Maximiliar
which was expressed in his last expressive
words-"Poor Carlotta r.
! Nor is there in the records OF history, a.
the last words of dying saint or hero
anything given which appeals so tenderly
to our better nature, TO all that beautifie
and softens the human character, as thrs
dying words of Maxlmilian-''Poor Carlot
tar They will crown in history this fall
en- man. However misguided he was il
bis ambition or in bis acts as ruler, thos
two words, with all their impressive an
rpdeeming associations, viii crown hin
with the flowers of affection and the lau
rels of the hero. Had he recited and elo
quently vindica,ed every step and ever
act in his imperial career he wou!d hav
failed to reach the the eloquent defens
embodied in bis dying exclamation Q
Poor Ca,lotta - To her they will b
the ds Of restoration or dissolution =
for him they are the wreath of immortaIl-
ty. "Poor Carlotta !'-N. Y. Express.