St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1879-01-25
MaXimilian's Bravery.

The shrewd and bold move of Naro-
leon III. in erecting in Republican North
America mona cAy upon the ruins of
the ancient throne of the Mentezumas,
and in placing thereon a prince of the
European blood royal, was All insult upon
free institutions alike in the United
Slater anG in Mexico. Had the rebellion
succeeded and the c>nfoderacy been
established, its union with Mexico under
Macmillan in slave empire would have
followed. Macmillan represented ideas
and purposes that BODIED 10 good to the
communities Of North America. Yet
there is something of tender interest in
the tragic death of the imperial adven~
turer that must be of pathetic interest
to.
Some years before the death of General
Magruder, at Houston, that soldier
delivered a lecture on the lives of Maxi
milan and Carlotta while On the throne
of Mexico. After the fall of the confed-
racy and the collapse of the rebellion
!Aagruder offered the services OF his sword
| to the beleagured Mexican emperor, and
was accepted as one of the lieutenants OF
that prince. From personal knowledge,
having been much in their presence,
General Magruder, with a remarkable
elegance of diction, eloquently described
the surroundings of their imperial high
nesses. His vivid pictures and personal
eminiscences Of the emperor and mpress
will never be forgotten by those who
heard him. But they are fully equalled
by the account by Texan, who was ar
eye witness of the death Of Macmillan
and his guards. 1t has recently been
given, and is subs! antially as follows
The morning of the 10Th of June, 1866
arose clear and clcudless, and the brilliant
sun shone over all the beautiful hills of
Mexico. No cloud, not even speck OF
Aeecy vapor, cast fitting shadow on
the face of the clear, serene, crystal, blue
heavens. Nature seemed in lovely repose,
while the fierce passions OF man were pre-
pairing to enact one OF the bloodiest ira
gedies of modern history. Truly the doom
ed emperor, as he gszed upon the Gun.
rise for the last time. exclaimed: "Upon
80 lovely dsy / have always desired to
die" 1t WAS six o'clock, and silence still
reigned over the city OF Queretaro. The
troops, under command of General
Escobedo, formed a short distance from
the city where the execution o. the caps
| tive emperor was to occur. Thousands
poured out Of Queretaro to the scene, all
eager to catch a glimpse of the dis
tinguished prisoner. At seven o'clock
the bells of the city tolled. The solemn
chimes echoed against the walls with
| dep and ominous clang that sounded
like the notes Of fate. 1t was the signal
that the prisoners had left thei: prison
for the last time, and deep silence fell on
the e8rectant multitude as the cortege
containing the emperor and his late
generals appeared. The carriages in
which they sat were surrounded by a
strong guard. Macmillan came first,
Mirsmen next, lastly Mejia. The car
riages stopped, and the prisoners alighted
while eobs broke from the crowd, and
there was not dry eye in that vast
assemb'age. The three doomed me1
were neitner bound nor blindfolded.
The emperor, in an easy and graceful
manner made regal bow to the mul~
titude, 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 a clear voice and firm manner, which
parteok not OF bravado. He stated that
when first waited upon at home by a
deputation of Mexicans, who came with
credentials, Offering him the throne OF
Mexico, he refused. He replied that it
convinced that majority thought it to
their interest to place him at the head of
the government he might consent. Ans
other deputation brought him additional
testimony, and upon advice of the
powers of Europe he had accepted the
call. Said the emperor: 81 deny that
the court that tried me had the power
to do SO. Mine has been case of good
faith. The nations of the world have
pledged their faith 10 me. would
never have done the act had it not been
for the good o! Mexico. I hope my blood
will not stop the efusion of blood in
Mexico" Miramon read from a paper
The only regret he felt at dying was that
should the Liberal party retain the gov
eminent his children would be pointed
out as those of traitor. He asserted
he was no traitor, but had always opposed
liberal principles as well as the disorders
of the country. As he had lived, 80
would he die-a conservative, His acts
would live in history, and Prosperity
would judge whether he was right Or
wrong. He ended with, "Vive Ia En-,
pereur! Tve Ia Merico p
Mejia made no talk. Having, how
ever, sent for Escobedo, he told that n.y.
pocrital Judas Iscariot that he would
die poor; he had never tried to make
money. All the riches he had con-