Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-02-27
PRESIDENT JUAREz.
A Baptism OF Tears Becomes .
Sacrament.
One Hitherto Cn~rittea Chapter la the
Life OF the President of the hspub-
Ia Of Mexieo-An Interesting
and Pathetic story.
Mexico Tso Republics.l

reporter OF the Tse3 Republics yesterday.
''Oh, il Is an old story, but l never saw il
ia print" be continued.
What was il aboutsD asked the inter
ested news sathereF.
The Old man then referred 70 an inter-
esting story regarding Jose Valero, the
Spanish actor, who is at present occupying
tn chair OF elOcution in Madrid college.
TIE curtain rings up at the time OF the oc-
currence, 1873, on The stage of the National
Theater IN this city.
Valero was playing that November night
and the theater was crowded with people
even returning through the crystal court
not being able 10 enter. The eminent actor
was inspired that night-not by the breath
OF the everlasting roses OF Mexico; not by
| the fascinating glances and the bewitching
smiles telegraphed by dark eyed senoritas
from behind their tiuttering fans; not by
! the waves Of applause that swept over the
/ stage and drowned even his magnificent
baritone voice. His inspiration was that
4 OF friendship.
! ValerO had "a tried and true friend
| JuareZ, the illustrious patriot ana Presi-
dent. Juarez admired the actor Tor him
self as well as for his princely art and his
irresistible magnetism. Time had not
frosted Valeros temples, and the actor was
in his prime.
The President occupied a box and was
enthusiastic in his demons ration OF pleas
ure over the success OF his friend.
The political revolutions of that time had
created antagonism TO the Administration,
and Juarez was mex orable, and was
perfect slave 10 the law, hundreds of exc
cutions occurred. One of the victims of
the spirit of uprisal was Manuel Rodriguez,
an officer of the regular army, under sem
| tence of death for insubordinatiOn. Rod
| riguez combined the chivalry of the Cid
with the fiery impetuosty of the Aztec,
and was very popular in the City of Mex
leo. Hence many efforts were made to
save him, but TO all appeals Juarez turned
deaf ear. Rodriguez was removed to the
! chapel, across whose threshold he should
only pass to face the sunligsS for the last
time, and 90 down undor the bullets of his
executioners.
That night Valero appeared in the pas
sionate, pathetic drama of Palan, LA
Campana de la Almudaina," the Bell of
Almudaina.
ut is a good OCCASION said the friends
save him. Let Valero speak to the Presi-
dent"
Valero Immediately consented to make
the effort. During the interval between
the second and third acts, he repaired to
the Jaurez box in his stage costume.
"Valero." exclaimed Juarez, how is
ths:v
Excuse me appearing in this OCCASION"
replied the actor.
ut is a costume of honor" said Juarez,
zone that has earned you many glorious
laurels."
Thanks, your Excellency."
"Are you coming to give the third act of
your drama in my box:" graciously asked
Juarez, with a smile.
A shade of sadness foated over the
| actors eyes, like cloud over the sky as
he said mo, sir, have come to avert a
tragedy, and not to continue a drama"
"How is that!" said Juarez, deeply in
terested
"Well, l will explain in a few words. l
am Spaniard by birth. but in Mexico l
have received SO many marks of esteem
that | consider it as second only to my ma
tive land, and you, friend Juarez, the dear
est compatrIot of them all"
Juarez was v!sibly moved, and his hon
est Indian hand trembled as he grasped
that of Nalero.
"What can do for you?" he asked.
"Here is my petition" replied the actor
"Sir, while we are here, you watching my
work and | acting farcial comedy, there
is one who groans and sighs by himself
alone, before a crucifix in a chapel, whose
only lot is an ignominious death very soon,
whose only consolation is Christian resg-
nation, an unhappy"
'Do not continue, Valero," interrupted
Juarez. "Deinquents do not merit your
good offices, and / can not turn from him
the inAexible verdict of military law"
Valero bent his sad for a moment. But
he pressed other arguments, and finally
Juarez said:
''Has any one counseled you to plead
thuss'
"Yes, sir; all the Spanish residents in the
City of Mexico"
Jaurez dryly requested Nalero 20 continue
to play, and the actor left the Presidential
box with no hope of success in the noble
vsnture.
Juarez soon left the theater and when Mt
the palace called his council Of war. What
passed there is not known. but when the
+ performance closed Nalero was summoned
I T. the palace.
"Take that" said the President az valero
entered the council chamber. and a pardon
was handed 20 him. "Y0u now have Rod
/ rigues's life in your hands"
1t Is the greatest benefit | ever re-
ceived," said the eminent comedian with
emotion, as ne faced few moments later
the brave officer on his knees before The
orucifix. and the baptism Of tears became
a sacrament 90 fsll on three nohle hearts
I the President in his palace. Tho prisoner
and tbe actor in che Chapel 1T Death.
u"w an innfei Prayed