New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-31
PoRFIRlO DLAZ.
R.nanelc Passage IN the Life Of the Gres'
Mexican

m0X1C00s
A correspondent who seems to DO thor
ongblv familiar With tho subject Furnishes
the following incident to tho Cincinnst
Enquirer:
D;sx was 4 prisoner in his hands. AND
Maximilian might we'll hope to win hin
over to hls cause, a., according to the mar
tial law proclaimed half year before. MI
life was forfeited already, and commuta
ton into perpetual imprisonment would o.
all he had right to expect for tho clemen
.cy he himself had shown to prisoners O
war now and then. As the price OF his In
fiuence in favor of the imperial govern
ment was instructed to offer him: Liberty
on parole, q pension OF lO,OOO pesetai
iS220O) and if he would accept 1t coIoneE
cy in the imperial Mexican army or else
the governorship Of Zacatecas. Uiai
promptly refused. No, he would not ever
accept liberty on parole, and warned ol
that he would consider any means OF 60
cape as fair under the circumstances. Ba
zaine then proposed to put him through ths
forms of q cOartmartiAl and sentence him
to he hung, as q preliminary measure "a
make him realize his situation. The sen
tenoe was then to be forwarded to the EN-
peror for approval. with the knowledge Of
Diaz, and the overture for u compromise tc
be renewed with such an argument IN favor
of their acceptance. The military court pro-
ceeded according to instruc lone, and, to 0e
consistent, we decided to cffer him the CON
solutions Of Q padre (monk or prest). as is
customary before the inhctiOn of capital
punishment. To make this offer was sent
to the Quartet de San Francisco, an old con-
vent, dong duty as an arsenal and military
prison now. Daz was walking his room
with his arms entwined in the folds OF his
old cabote, ard stopped short at my en-.
trance to listen to Bazaine's message, with
mock gravity. But when l was done he
looked at me with u peculiar twinkle of his
black eyes, and rubbed his hands together,
as if quite delighted ut something. "POr
Dios, que compasionadol Dear me, how
kind, he said, lyon want to hang me only
and get my eoul taken care of, la alma de
un tyiste hcreje, the soul Of puOr horetieal
creaturei l really do not know how to &C
cept 80 much kindness. No, tell his excel
lency the Marechal," be added, in q some
what altered voice, ''that l decline even
this last proposition. He can not get me
nearer heaven than the rope of his gallows
will take me. I'm too far gone in wicked.
ness. l appreciate his intention only as an
excellent Joke"
"Pardon me then, senor," fastened to
say, i've we're not acquainted With your pc
CullhI GcucteS 0uN ulO wv AANCnO w AAAOOA
YOU. 1t would be infamous, under the cir
Diaz changed his tcne at once. "That's
all right, sir" he said, taking hold of my
hand; "but you know, suppose, you are
going to kill me. and if q man sees bis end
near ut hand he is naturally religiouelv dis
posed, and to my mind there are not two
ideas more distinct than God and the Mexi-
can Chu, ch."
The Emperor was notified Of all this, but
before he could take further steps in the
matter, the prisoner made his escape, the
modus dperdndi Of which ia as pretty q
piece of romance in real life as have often
heard Of The Primate of the Mexican
Church at the time was . notorious Lsvas
teds, Arch bishop and excellency, who had
watched the signs of the times with the
eyes of lynx, and thought the oppOrtu-
nifty favorable to make q MOve in the in
terest of religion" Diaz hated him, to
be sure; but did he not hate the French
more3 He had directed all his energy against
them for the last two years, and was now in
lieved SO any way. How, if the Church
saved his life and made common cause with
him against the enemies of the republic2
The ruin of Max milan was only question
of time to the shatp eyes Of the priest; it
would perhaps involve blOOdshed and ex-
pense to declare against him openly right
now, but if the influence of Diaz could be
bought at that price it would not be too
high One afternoon the archbishop had a
long conclave with the Father ZOloga, q
man OF infinite discretion and ability, and
toward dusk the padre picked his way
through solitary alleys to the ex convent of
San Francisco, the scene of his vigis and
intrieues tor many q year of the good old
time.
Bazaine's prisoner was permitted piece
Of tallOw candle that might shorten his long
nights by half an hour or 80, and after see
ng its last Pickering die away, Diaz had
sunk into his wooden chair to watch the
glow of the departed day that still strange
y fingered on the snowpeaks of he distant
Sierra, when he heard cautious step ap-
his chair and l'w voice pro-
1Ounce bis name, "Diaz, amigo!"
"Quien, who the d." Dlez spoke ont,
put hand seized his aim "Hush! TIE coy
. salreri' II come to ave you'll.
1t Was the Padre Zologs. He came in
The name of Christ, he said. Would Diaz
consent to serve the Lord and His church,
,r, if he preferred. at least plrdge himself
lot to persecute them hencefOrthi II he
would promise that all might be we'll yet;
Macmillan would fall; the Lord had Dc.
,ided against him already; the country
would be free; and he, Diaz, should regain
lis liberty this very night, but it must be
IN the conditions named.
Diaz rose from his chair to permit the
amt light from the window to fsll on the
ace of mis- victor. When he recognized the
Padre 2 ,logs he sat down again. His reso-
ution was taken.
"But how" he asked, do you propose to
ave met Would not any attempt at q ght
rom place like this b. detected and make
ny lot hard II than it is at present."
Fear nothing" the monk eagerly re-
lied; "onIy say, will you be one Of US, and
will you fellow met There is q subtt r
anean"-
"rhat is all right, them" Diaz replied,
Using from his chair and tragging the
'adre TO corner of the room where he
lad deposited his mantle and cap; II agree
o your proposal in Sd far that will fol
Ow you to the outside of these walls, and
hat right row: if l shall gain thu Sierra
efore morning have no time tn lose"
Eyes, but will You promise"-
II promise nothing" Diaz cut him short.
As soon as we reach the open air cur roads
art; shall never walk the ways of your
,hurch."
The padre with trembling hand tried to
)Ose his sleeve from the iron grasp which
cid it. II leave you to your fate then"
= hisstu, your e4ccutlon Ii ueclOeO upon
lready."
Eyes, it would be pretty bad, if Gad had
ct sent you in time" Diaz chuckled. |
You know that if you make the least re-
stance, or Try to elude me. shall alarm |
10 guard; why shouldn't II And then
10 French would hang you before you
,uld confess one psr cent of your sins. So |
vt US 60, and be quick. please. If you de-
y me much longer it will not be worth |
lille going, and l shall give the alarm any
DIV"
The padre was too shrewd not to compre- |
End his mistake, and was not the man to |
ak his own skin for q barren revenge.
well, follow me, then" he sighed, .'but |
sure the vengeance of God will sooner or
ter"
..Hnsh hnah y eaid liaz s.I,m M Indian