The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-12-24
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MaXimilian'S Bravery.


The morning of the l9,h OF June,
1856, arose clear and ciondless, ami the
brilliant sun shone over all the beautiful
hills of Mexico No cloud, not even q
speck of feecy vapor, cast fitting
shadow on the face of the clear, serene,
crystal, blue heavens Nature seemed
in lovely repose, while the fierce passions
Of men were preparing to enact one Of
the bloodiest tragedies Of modern histo-
ry Truly the doomed Emperor, as he
gazad upon the sunrise for the last time.
exclaimed: Upon so lovely a dsv l
have always desired to die" 1t was six
o'clock, and silence still reigned over
the city of @ leretaro. The troops un.
der command Of Gen. Escobedo, formed
a short distance from the city where the
execution of the captive Emperor wss
to occur Thousands poured out Of
Q1eretaro to the scene, all eager to catch
glimpse of the distinguished prisoners
At seven o'clock the bells of the city toll
ed. The solemn chimes echoed against
the walls with deep and ominous clang,
that sounded like the notes Of fate 1t
was the signal that the prisoners had LETT
their prison for the last time, and deep
silence fell on the expectant multitude as
the cortege containing the Emperor and
his late Generals appeared. The carria-
ges in which they sat we're surrounded
by o strong guard. Macmillan came
first, Miramon next, lastly Mejia The
carriages stopped and the prisoners
alighted, while sobs broke from the
crowd, and there was not dry eye in
that vast assemblage. The three doom
ed men were neither bound nor blind
folded. The Emperor, in an easy and
graceful manner, made regal bow to
the multitude, and with light step led
the way to the fatal spot. The Emperor.
like the other prisoners, was attired in .
plain manner. He addressed the crowd
in clear voice and firm manner, which
partook not of bravado. He stated that
when first waited upon at home by dep
utation of Mexicans, who came with
credentials, Offering him the throne of
Mexico, ne refused. He replied that if
convinced that majority thought it to
their interest to place him at the head of
the Government he might consent.
Another deputation brought him ad.
ditional testimony, and upon advice of
the Powers Of Eorope he had accepted
the call. Said the Emperor: Il deny
that the Court that tried me had the pow
er to do so. Mine has been a case OF
good faith. The nations of the world
have pledged their faith to me. 1 would
never have done the act had 1t not been
for the good OF Mexico I hope my
blood will stop the effusion Of blood in
Mexico" Miramon read from paper !:
The only regret he felt at dying was that
should the Liberal party retain the Gov
ernment his children would be pointed
out as those Of traitor He asserted
he was no traitor, but had always op-
posed liberal principles as well as the
disorders Of the country. AS he had
lived, so would he die-a Conservative
His acts would live in history, and pos
terity would Judge whether he was right
or wrong He ended with Vire Ia En-
pereuri Vivc la MeDicoi
Mejia made no talk. Having, howev-
er, sent for Escobedo, he told that hypo.
critical Judas Iscariot that he would die
poor he had never tried to make money
All the riches he had consisted of forty
cattle in the mountains. He said he
owed a good deal to the merchants and
business men of Matamoras, but it was
his request that they would not press his
wife for the payment of his debts when
she had come into possession Of the
money left her by the kindness of the
Emperor Maximilisn.
General Miramon ceased. There was
a murmur and buzz among the crowd.
The guard we're drawn up in line. The
prisoners faced them The Emperor
called to him the Sergeant. He then drew
from his pocket handful OF $40 gold
pieces. Handing them to him, he re-
quested that after his death the money
be divided among the Sergeant's com.
panions. In return the Emperor reques
ted as favor that the Sergeant would
aim his bullet at his heart A moment
of deep and dreadful sileroe ensued =
The officer was about to give the signal
The military figures of the prisoners
were erect, motionless-not muscle
quiyering--their faces calm as though
death were still far off Maximilian, the
central figure, maintained to the last an
Imperial composure which eminently be.
came that unfortunate Prince The sol
diers' pieces are aimed. The word is
given. Bang! The Emperor, Mejia,
Miramon, have all fallen to the ground,
on which each lies stretched. Miramon
and Mejia we're killed at the first volley.
Four balls entered the breast of each =
The Emperor did not instantly exoire,
though he bad fallen unconscious. Five
balls had pierced his bosom There
we're some convulsive movements of the
muscles and quivering of the flesh =
Seeing this, two soldiers we're ordered
to step from the ranks. They each aimed
their pieces at the fallen Emperor. Two
more balls we're sent into his PROSTATE
body Then he was still The physi
clan who was to embalm his body ap
preached and threw sheet over the face
of the dead monarch. The troops re
turned to their quarters, but the multi
tude for some time, and as if by a su
pernatural instinct, remained rooted to
the spot.
The imperial murder has passed into
history. Juarez. the cunning and un.
scrupulous descendant of the Aztecs, un.
der whose auspices Macmillan was sho,
to death, has himself long followed into
the great beyond his regal prisoner, Es'
cobedo. the cruel traitor-more despica.
BILE than Arnold, more vile than Judas
Iscariot-Escobedo, who had so much
to do with the butchery of the Prince,
was but recently prisoner, and his life
forfeited in the grip OF the same power
that executed Maximilian 1t is not un.
likely, from the drift OF events in Mexi