Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-07-25
MAMMALIAN AND CARLOTTA.
"reminiscences of the Emperor and EN-
reSs by the Late Gen. J.. b. Ma
Philadelphia Times.

puld 11uleS.
In company with several other con
federate officers l arrived in the city
of Mexico after a journey of some
thirteen hundred miles, principally on
horseback, weary and worn, ill-cla
and scantily supplied with money; but
we slept in peace and security for the
first time for four years. The relief
from the cares and responsibilities
which had pressed upon so necessarily
during the whole of this period was in
expressibly grateful. Our thoughts re-
verted to the past, ror wandered to the
future. Repose and tranquility were
all we asked. Being refreshed by a
few days of rest, [ represented to the
ra'i innin nal nqnfederate officers the pro-
pflety OF calling to pay our respects 10
the emperor and empress. This was al
once assented to, and having communi.
Gated our wishes through the proper
channel to the emperor, day was ap-
pointed for an Interview. Our nearly
worn-out uniforms having been ex-
changed for the plain dress of American
citizens We proceeded to the ancient
palace of the Montezumas, now reno
waited and superbly furnished, and were
shown into an ante-r0Om to await the
summons of their majesties. As. I,
with many others, had become familiar
with the palace eighteen years before
when the American army held posses
sion of the city, [ felt quite at home
| here. In few minutes an usher in
uniform appeared and said the emperor
desired to see me alone. [ entered the
| hsl ii of o,,1 tod 70
the emperor and empress, who were
Standing at the further end ofthe room,
The emperor seemed to be about thirty
four years old. Tall and commanding
in stature, his person was a model
of manly beauty and his face denoted
greater strength and firmness than /
had expected from the photographs |
had seen of him. The empress was al
so tall, beautifully formed and graceful
in the highest degree. Her dark brown
hair and long black eyelashes, yelling
lustrous eyes of grey, seemed to deepen
the melancholy expression of her face.
Her features were clearly defined and
classic in the extreme. She was some
what pale in her complexion-was evil
IDENTIFY injured by exposure to sun and
rain, which it was known she disregard
ed, in the performance of her duties,
of state or charity. Repose was the
predominant expression of her face and
form. -r."f-G f. (. srDr =. gsL
iCONFEDERATES RECEIVED BY THE EMPEROR.
| Seating themselves on a sofa and re
questing me to be seated, the emperor
asked many questions in relation to the
state of affairs in the United States, the
foreign policy of the government and
the trade and commerce of the country.
At length, the empress, who was sitting
nearest me, asked if any obstacles ex-
listed in the United States to the recog-
milton of the imperial government.
did not wish gravely to discuss polictics
with lady, particularly as l could give
her no hope. and therefore treating the
subject pIayfully 1 answered in these
words: la.e..- r.-... ..-..t.. .u-...., .,.
Yes, your majesty, | will tell you
frankly there does exist in the United
States an obstacle to the recognition of
the, empire" -.. =
'"And what is it? she asked.
why, your majesty, it was born of
timidity, but [ fear it is now the child
of arrogance. 1t is also a thing Of air,
for it is used by the contending political
parties in the United States as shuttle
cock, the politicians being the per-
formers and the people the spectators,
and it is kept up with surprising skill
and pertinacity lest it fall to the ground
and the. losers in the game thus dis
please the audience"
"What can it be-" she asked again.
'iYour Majesty.it is the Monroe doc
trine-the shuttlecock of politicians.
She -comprehended at once Turning
to the emperor she suggested that the
usher be dismissed and that | should
introduce my compatriots, remarking
that it would relieve the interview of
the stiffness and formally which might
be EN- barrassing. Bowing my assent, |
brought in my friends and presented
them. After warm reception Max
imilian addressed us in the following
words:
Gentlemen, you have great war in
your country. 1t has been war of
giants. The world has looked upon it
aghast. You Of the south have lost,