Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-07-10
The. Execution of aIaximilian.. /.

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His enemies cap>1ay 9no graver charge
against this unfortunate Prince, save that he
was a monarch.
His private and public character was with
out reproach. He was educated, humane,
mild, and refined. Fond Of learning, and
devoted to the arts and sciences, be admins
tered the affairs of Mexico, with view sole
" to the good Of the people. He cndeaVored
to give them stable Government, where
order was esteemed and law prevailed.
He was no invader. Absent in Europe, at
the time Of the armed occupation by the
French, it was by the votes of the Mexican
people, that he was summoned from Austria
to assume the head of affairs. 1t is well
known that he hesitated, until assured by a
deputation sent, that he would ascend the
throne il. conformity with tue expressed
wishes oe the inhabitants of Mexico. He
obeyed this summons, and he is now execu:
ted in colA.bIood by the Indian Juarez, con-
trary to the laws of all civilized people, as a
usurper.
We believe, where nation is fitted for it,
chat Republic is the happiest and best mode
of government. And this We desired for
Mexico, as for tue rest of the world.
But this act at once shows feIocity and
lawlessness utterly at war with any apprecia-
tion of the principles of true liberty.
Maximilian had abdicated. He no longer
contested for his crown. He had ceased his
opposition to the Liberals. He Was priso-
ner, unable to defend himself. And thus de-
ienceless, in response to fierce passion, his
life is taken. His blood has cast a stain upon
tae soil of Mexico, which time can never
cfface.
We regret that this Government did not
interpose more efeetually in his behalf. AS
the leading Republic, its voice should have
been made potent. 1t was to its efforts that
Macmillan was not assured upon bis throne.
Its protest lost him his crown, and its protest
should have spared his life.
Its communication 10 Mexico has been
treated with ndignity. It's utterance, all
powerful over Europe, has been despiscd and
rejected by mixed race, unable to rule
themselves, and who will submit to no law
but that OF license, and no freedom but that
of anarchy:
The Mexican people have heretofore de-
monstrated that they have neither an appre-
citation of or capacity for self fgovernment.
The have nov illustrated that they have no
no regard for either the principles of a COM
mon humanity or civilization.
They should be placed beyond the pale of
all International courtesy.-Charleston Cou-
rier.
An Englishman, for many years in Mexico.
aud well acquainted with Maximllian, alludes
thus to he9igh moral character and liberal
tendencies of the unfortunate Empior:
"[n point of morality tie least that can be
said is that Maximllian was good sincere
Christian, and high toned gentleman. Any
action savorng of insincerty or untruthful-
ness would have been looked upon by him
with indignant horror. He was as pure and
innocent minded as child, and could never
be persuaded of deception and insinccrity in
others. He was strictly honest in all his
dealings, both public and private, the rumors
which were rife Of his remitting large sums
of public money to Miramon being totally
without foundation; on the contrary, he spent
large portion Of his private means in i'm.
proving and beautifying his residences III
Mexico, and many public Institutions. When
recently hard pressed for money, and finding
that there were several tradesmen, and OH
ers, with large outstanding bills against him
he insisted on his hols ses, carriages, and ever
clothes, if necessary, being Immediately sold
until the last cent was paid. He never coulo
be persuaded to permit severity to be prac,
t;ced even toward his most bitter enemies, his
interference to prevent the execution Of no.
torious guerrillas being the first cause of mis-
understanding and subsequent open rupture
with Marshal Dazaine. He frequently said
that if he could not govern the Mexicans by
love he would not do so at all.
lie was devotedly fond OF his wife, and af
ter the news reached him Of her severe i'll.
ness he was never the same man. 1t had al
ways been subject of regret with him that
he had no children of his own, and his and
the Empress fonduess for them induced them
TO adopt the young Prince Iturbide, son oI
the former ill,tated Emperor, intending, il
their reign in Mexico had been fortunate, thai
he should have been their successor.
"Itis, of course, known that Macmillan
and his wife both profesSed the Roman Cath
olic faith, and both were very devout, and, tc
all appearance, sincere it. 1t is true that
on his accession he carried out the work al
ready commenced by the Liberal party-the
destruction Of couvcnts, the curbing of the
power of the Church, permitting universal
liberation and freedom of worship, and gen.
cral Church reform; but any one acquainted
with the corrupt state in which he found
both'the Church and the priesthood can hard
" wonder at his so doing. He and the En-.
press were most strict IN their religious obser'
vances. Mass was usually attended daily in
the private chapel in the palace, but on some
occasions they might both be seen Oh foot at
tending the service at the Cathedral, the
Emperor proceeding bareheaded with asol-
emn procession from the palace to the church
Whenever he encountered the procession oi
the host in the straets-a rather frequent oc,
currence in Mexico-he Invariably, and biz
wife also, alighted fromthe carriage and pros
trated themselves Oh their knees until it had
passed.
Maxmilian, as heirapparent to the throne
OF Austria before the birth of his nephew
was brought up in the school of an absolute
monarchy, but his views had very liberal
tendency he always considering that the peo-
pie should be fully and thoroughly represent
ed, and that the power of the sovereign agains
their will should not be absolute. He was
always very much beloved by the Austrian
people. When he assumed the government
of Mexico he distinctly stated his wishes that
the people should be represented by Con.
gross, firmly'believing that it was by the pop
ular will that he had been called to the throne
and, as has already been said he declared his
intention to govern them by love, or not al
all. These praisewQrthy designs were, how.
ever, overruled by Marshal Bazaine, and poor
Maximilian found at every turn that be was
nothing n. but ut tool % in this mans hands and