The union Democrat., 1869-10-23
90.
Maximilian and Janrcz.

-4ppletoa's k,Egassae contains some in:'.-
estin. incidents from Princess Salra Salm
Diary, written while in Mexico. Here Is one
concerning the closing hours Of MaxlmiI'an
The princess, on account OF the important
part she had taken in this plan to save 'he
liie of Maximiian, was sent tc Gan LUIS
Pa,os as prisoner. There she made An'
ether last effort to obtain the pardon OF Pres'-
dent Juare. for the condemned. She says;
The last day before the execution hal
come the next morning the Emperor was I.
be shot. Although had little hope, still
determined to make one more effort To move
the heart of tho man who alone had the power
to prevent the terrible tragedy. Inc ps't.
melancholy face of him whose clear-biue eyes
had inspired with compassion even the lnd,hn
Palacois, was ever before me.
1t was s o'clock in the evening when went
to the President, who Immediately received
me- He was lale, and looked careworn.
Wish trembling lips pleaded for the lie ~
the Emperor. or at least for u respite. lie
said he could not even grant q respite, that
it would only prclong the Emperor's sgony'
and that he must die the next morning.
When heard these terrible worGs was
wild with grief | trembled in every limh,
ani sobbing. | fell on my knees, and pleaded
with words that came from the heart. The
President sought to raise me, but c,ung to
his knees, and would not rise till. he had
granted my PRAYER; thought ! must move
him to compassion. l saw he was deeply
moved he, as we'll as Senor Iglesia, who
was present, could not restrain his tears. Ia
sad 10 me. in sad, tremnlous tone 'ls
pains me. madame, TO see you thus on yc"r
knees heiore me, but, If all the Kings ana
Queens of Europe were prostrate betre me,
could not save his life. / do not take 1t ie
is the law, the people demand it. not J.. II
failed to do the will of the people, my ilie
would be the penalty"
Oh cried, in my despair, sit blood
must iiow. take my life, the lite OF useless
woman. and spare that of a man who may %
so much good in another country
All WAS in vain. The President raised m"
to my feet, and again assured me that tho
life of my husband should be spared. He
said he was very seriously compromised and
would certainly be condemned 10 death,
but that, as had gained bis esteem nnd Hd-
miration ty mt efforts in behalf of Maximi-
iian and my husband he would grant my
petition so far as he could. lie would pardon
my husband, and was Crieved that he could
do M more. ] thanked him and went.
In the arte-rocm, found more than 200
, ladies of San Luis, who bad come to plead for
the lives Of the three condemned men. They
were admitted, but their prayers were OF no
more avail than mine.
Later, Madame Miramon came, leading
her two children. TIE President couls net
refuse TO see her. Senior lglesia told me it
was heart-rending SCENE to see this poor wo-
man and her innocent little ones plead for the
life of the husband and father. The Presi-
dent, he said. suffered terribly in these inter-
views to think that stern necessity compelled
him to take the life Of the noble Macmillan
and his two brothers" bat he could not do
otherwise.
Madame Miramon tainted and was carried
out Of the room. could not close my eyes
that night, some hours Of which / passed in
the church with n number Of ladies Of our
party. praying. In the course cf the morning,
the telegraph announced the sad intelligence
that the executions had taken place nnd-that
all was over.