Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-03-05
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Boston Herald. ~
City Of Mexico, October %, 1885,
Eighteen years ago last June the En-.
Peror Macmillan fell, pierced by bull
lets, On q hillside at Queretaro, a slight
eminence which the tourist via the
Central Railway may catch passing
glimpse Of as he enters that interesting
Old town. But eighteen years have
not sufficed to obliterate the memory
OF the Emperor. In the curlo shops
here you still find the "Maximilian
dollar" with his efhgy, and the beauti-
tul Paseo remains to, testify to his
purpose OF making this enchantinsly
situated capital the. Paris OF the new
world. A sturdily built, handsome
young fellow, himself the grandson of
another Mexican Emperor, walks the
streets OF the city. This young man,
accomplished and athletic, was adopt
ed, by Macmillan as his heir, and,
though q revival Of imperialism is i'm
possible, the Prince Iturbide, as he is
universally called, may yet take an
important part in the game of Next
can politics.
Inc same government which cher
ishes the memory OF the emperor Itur-
bide refuses to preserve the memorial
OF the reign OF the Emperor Maximil-
ian. Wandering through the executive
apartments at the national palace the
other day, Inoted that wherever Maxi
milan had LETT the crowned eagle the
government had obliterated the crown
and left the Mexican eagle crownless
IN republican simplicity. But in the
splendid chamber where President
Dlaz receives visitors the crowned
eagle remains. The superb room is
hung with crimson silk, on whichl IS ev-
erywhere to be seen the crowned i'm
perlal eagle in raised figure.
10 have cut the crown would have
been to spoil the hangings, and SO they
have been lett, mute memorials OF the
dead ruler OF Mexico. In the vast
apartment known as the Hall of AM
bassadors-the portrait OF the EN-
peror Iturbide remains, but there is
no relic OF Macmillan. You must
60 to the National Museum,
also in the palace to see Maxi
mllian's state dinner service,
which was an outrageous cheat If he
paid the price OF silver for it, because
1t is nothing but wretched COM
posite Of base metals thinly plated,
the proportion being ninety-five per
cent. base metal and five per cent. sill
yer. Maximilian's state carriage re-
mains on show, and q really gorgeous
affair it is. His bust by Mexican
artist is also preserved in the museum,
where also are his orders and insignia.
But all these things are preserved, as
we might keep the uniform of a cap.
tured British General, as trophies of
victory over an invader.
The Mexican Government has not
prosecuted the partisans of the EN-
peror- On the very street where am
writing lives, in a noble casa, the
spokesman OF the deputation OF nota~
bles who crossed the ocean to tender
to Macmillan at Miramar the fatal
imperial crown. The other day Tread
over the address of this deputation,
in which was Wanted the superiority
OF monarchial institutions, and the
assertion made that the Mexican peo-
pie desired the Austrian prince to
come and reign over them, that they
were weary of republicanism and
interminable internecine strife. The
reply Of the prince was enthusi-
astic, and in that same spirit Maximil-
ian and Carlotta crossed the seas, be-
lieving that they were the desired Of
the Mexican people. Their deception
must have been complete. Prints of
that time represent the triumphal
arches erected on the main avenue OF
the capital, and through that avenue
you see passing the carriage of the En-
Peror bowling to the right and left, &C
knowledging the plaudits Of the popu-
lace.
Personally, Maximilian was very
popular with the common people.
His memory is not execrated, but
rather he is regarded with q pathetic
sort OF regret mingled with reproach-
fulness. Macmillan was under bad
influences. His military advisers here
were mercilessly severe. They coun-
seleu harsh measures, and made the
Emperor believe that he had exhaust
ed the resources OF kindness, and
should put the knife in up to the hilt.
Macmillan and his wife were the ideal
sovereigns Of the story books. They
were easy in their manners and kind
to the common people; they were fond
OF one another, and had all the lovable
virtues, but the Mexica II people, fierce
ly fond OF liberty, resented their in
trusion, and Juarez, the constitution
al President, had earnest popular sup
port in his prolonged resistance to the
Empire.
The fatal blunder OF Maximilian, a
blunder which has left q stain on his
name, was the issuance of the order
that all of the liberal chiefs taken in
arms after the expiration of Juarez's
term should be shot as traitors to the
empire. Juarez demonstrated, urging
that he was President, even after his
term Of office expired, until the coun-
try could peacefully elect his success
sor. That was sensible ground, and
history sust aims the Mexican patriot.
Maximilian's decree was merciless, and
the fates measured out to him as he
had melted to others.
It was in Queretaro that Maximilian
made his final stand after the with
drawal OF the French troops at word
OF warning from Mr.. Seward 1t is a
lovely old city, with a splendid aque-
duct in the Roman manner, many
ancient and picturesque churches, and
soft and genial climate. Then, as
now, it was a stronghold OF the Church
party, the very citadel of Catholicism
in Mexico. Maximilian was here be-
siege,l and overthrown, and imprison-
ed in the convent OF the Capuchinos,
and thence after the fan,oils court