The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1879-02-01
Che Gafapette Aopertiser.
MAXIMILIAN..
How A BRAVE MAN DIED.

The morning of the 10Th Of June. 1S6,
arose clear aud cloudless, and the brilliat
= sun shone over all the beautiful hills
Mexico. No cloud, not even speck
f1eecy vapor, cast fitting shadow on th
face of the clear, serene, blue heaven
Nature seemed in lovely repose, while th
fierce passions of man were preparing t
enact one Of the bIoodiest tragedies {
modern history. Truly the doomed En-
peror, as he gazed upon the sunrise for tn
last time, exclaimed "Upon SO lovely
day have always desired to die" II wa
6 o'clock, and silence still reigned owe
the city Of Queretaro. The troops, unde
command of Gen. Escobedo. formed
short distance from the city, where tn
execution Of the captive Emperor was IL
occur. Thousands poured out CT Quere
taro to the scene, all eager to catch {
glimpse of the distinguished prisoner. At
Z o'clock the bells of the city tolled. The
solemn chimes echoed against the walls
with deep and ominous clang tina,
sounded 'ike'the notes Of fate. 1t was the
signal that the prisoners had left their
prison for the last time, and deep silence
fell on the expectant multitude as the cor
tege containing the Emperor and his late
Generals appeared. TIE carriages in
which they sat were surrounded by a
strong guard. Maximilian came first,
Miramon next, lastly Mejia. The car
riages stopped and the prisoners aIighted,
while sobs burst from the crowd, and
there was not dry eye in that vast as
semblage. The three doomed men were
neither bound nor bIindfolled. The En-
peror, 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 pris-
oners, was attired in plain manner. He
addressed the crowd 10 clear voice and
firm manner, which partook not Of braya-
do. He stated that when first waited up
on at home by deputation Of Mexicans,
who came with credentials offering him
the throne Of Mexico, he refused. Subse:
quently the proposition was renewed. 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 deputatation brought
him additional testimony, and upon ad
vice Of the powers Of Europe he had ac-
cep;ed the CALL Said the Emperor: Il
deny that the court that tried me had the
power to do SO. Nine has been case of
good faith. The nations of the. world |
have pledged their faith to me. I never
would have done the act had it not been
Or the good of Mexico. | hope my blood
will STOP the effusion Of blood in Mexico"
Niramon read from a paper: The only
'egret he felt at dying was that should the
liberal party retain the Government, his
children would be pointed out as those Of
! traitor. He asserted he was no traitor,
'ut always opposed Liberal principles as
veil as disorders Of the country. As he
lad lived. SO would he die-a Conserva-
i've. His acts would live in, history, and
'osterity would judge whether he was
light or wrong. He ended with Vive !
Empereuri Viue Ia Merique.
Mejia made no talk Having, however,
pnt for Escobsdo, he told that hypocritical
udas Iscariot that he would die poor he
ever tried to make money AL the rich
8 he had consisted Of forty cattle in the
He said he owed good deal $
, the merchants and business men at 6
Iatamoras. but it was his request tha:
ley would not press his wife for the paw :
lent Of his debts when she had come in +,
} possession of the money left her by the 7
indness Of the Emperor Macmillan. |
Gen. Miramon ceased. There was
'urmur and a buzz among the crowd.
he guards We're drawn up in line. The G
risoners faced them. The Emperor called r
} him the sergeant. lie then drew from y
is pocket a handful Of $50 gold pieces. $
landing them to him he requested that, c
fer his death, the money should be di f
ded among the sargeant's companions. b
! return the Emperor requested as favor i
lat the sergeant would aim his bullet at t
Is heart A moment Of deep and dread q
! silence ensned.s The officer was about c
give the signal. The military figures r
the prisoners. were erect, motionless- d
't muscle qulyering-their faces calm Q
though death were still far off. Maxi Il
ilian, the. central figure, maintained to c
last an imperial composurs which en- d
emily became that unfortunate Prince. Il
ae soldiers pieces are aimed. The word '
given. Bang! The Emperor, Mia, Il
ramon have fallen to the ground, on v
hieh each lies stretched Miramon and Il
rjia were .kills,. at the first voIey. Fou. p
lis entered the breast OF each. The 81
nperor did not instantly expire, though q
had f,'!en unconscious Five balls had Il
creed his bosom. There were some t.