Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-07-10
Macmillan.

The telegraph brings the following particu-
lars of the end of the French Intervention in
Mexico
- The trials of Macmillan, Mejia, and Mira
mon were ended on the 14th ult., and they
were sentenced to be executed on the 10th.
Jua<ez suspended the execution for three
DAYS, and they were shot on the 18th, at Ii
O'Clock in the morning.
Colonies were sentenced to six years I'M
prisonment, lieutenant colonels to FIVE years,
and the minor officers to two years imprison-
ment.
The brieadier generals and the exceptional
officers are to be tried by court martial
The city of Mexico was surrendered to
Diaz on the 2lst. Juarez sent him a con-
eratulatory note with directions for the dis
positions of the prisoners, saying, . The
native prisoner you will transfer to your
own command, or give them liberty, accord
ing TO the circumstances in which you find
them. The foreign prisoners you will retain
for the further disposition of the govern
ment.''
Among the archives taken at the occupa-
ton of Queretaro were some documents
relative to the last will of Macmillan
wherein, in case of his death, TeOdosco
Learez, Jose Maria Lecunza and Marquee,
are declared Regents.
Escobedo writes from Queretaro - hare.
By the eIecution of these master traitors, made
terror The order of the day ererylrhere. hare
imposed large contributions on the rich and
conf,cdted their property and their all; rchere
could not do 1t an person my delegates hare
strictly complied ,rih my orders L HOPE Be
FORE CLOSING MY MILITARY CAREER, TO SEE
THE BLOOD OF EVERY FOREIGNER Split THAT
RESIDES IN MY COUNTRY
There Is report that Macmillan was shot
in the face, and the Mexican generals were
shot in the back as traitors.
Both the Liberal and Imperial papers OF
Brownsville condemn the execution, and the
Ranchero (newspaper) is in full mourning
Berrozabal, the Governor of Matamoras
had all the bells rung. and rockets were fired
on the receipt of the news of the execution
He also sent official information of the fact
to General Reynolds.
A large majority of the newspapers of this
country condemn without stint this execu-
ton of the usurper of empire in Mexico,
yet we have looked through these editorial.
in the vain search for any reason for thie
censure. except the sentimental objection tC
capital punishment for any Offense. Demo
Gratis and writer's like Mr.. Greeley, who hav.
pleaded and still do plead for mercy and
pardon to such black traitors jeff. Davis
and his conspicuous cOnfederates, may be ex-
pected to mourn the death of prince o
royal blood, who was guilty of the great
crime of attempting to establish for himself
without right and by armed force and bloody
arbitrament, a government in Mexico, al
these political writers seem TO have lost al
sense of any distinction between right anC
wrong. But how persons who believe tina
a political crime, the crime of attempted
usurpation of empire and subversion o
government, is, in it's wide spread and lasting
evil consequences, the most aggravated offens'
against individuals and society known to tn,
criminal laws of any country, can any
thing but substantial justice in the death o
a usurper or a traitor, we are quite unable
to conjecture. Booth was hunted to dealt
for his assassination of President Lincoln
and some of his confederates were tried anC
expiated their crime upon the gallows. AM
there was scarcely voice in this country
or Europe which saw in this punishment
anything to condemn. Surratt, who is nov
trial, has no sympathy and no appeals
for mercy made ON his behalf, except from
those who secretly or openly reioiced at th'
death of President Lincoln. The person
who from time to time in the old world ar
found guilty of attempting the death o
emperors and kings have short shrift, ant
are mourned only by their confederates il
crime. Wherein is Macmillan less deserv
ing of death than such assassins?
Napoleon Is Intervention in Mexican affair
was only a freebooter's raid. He nigh
with as much justice or right have attempte'
to seat a Frenchman on the throne of Eng
land, or an Italian in the Presidents chat
at Washington. Macmillan is said to hav
been an intelligent and accomplished gentle
man, and of course understood that he wa
only royal marauder in his new kingdom
He was stealing, and then holding by fore
and violence an empire. To accomplish thi
he waged desolating war in the land whic
he assumed to govern He issued decre'
by which he virtually ordered the enslave
ment of the whole laboring population o
the country. He ordered that all who op
posed his authority should be tried by cour
martial and shot within twenty-four hour
after conviction. Many prominent Mexican
generals and republicans were condemned
and executed in obedience to this decree
their only crime being that they were resist
ing the authority of this foreign usurper
If Macmillan did not deserve death at tn
hands of Mexicans how can any offens
against the national government of any PEG
pie be justly punished with death?
We have not suggested these considera
tions because we are much interested in tn
fate of Macmillan, but because we discove
in the sentiment which condemns his exc
cution what we can but consider most mis-
chievous leniency towards the great criminal
who attempt by force to remodel usurl
governments. The thief who resists and kill
the sheriff is tried and hung without sympa
thy or mercy,-why should the greater thief
who attempts to rob country of it's govern
ment, and to force upon a people ruler
whom they have never chosen, be regards
worthy of milder treatment? If Booth an
Surratt have committed offenses which shoul
bring them to the gibbet, why must Davi
Macmillan be thought worthy of milde
fate?
Surratt'S Defence.