The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
The Execution or Maximilian.

The moment had come; each of the
condemned mounted into the carriage
which awaited them, and they traversed
the streets of Que etaro in the midst of
q mot 'ey multi tude, who, respectful and
afflicted, crowded round ON Their pas
sage; handkerchiefs were waved, and
now and again q sound of sobs would
reach the prisoners ears. The condemned
men bowed on each side as they rccog-
nizt in the crowd many familiar face.
Some minutes before 7 o'clock they ar
rived on the Cc:ro de las Campanas, q
little more than half mile distant from
the town; here they descended from the
carriage, walked on foot half way up
the hill called the Cerro de las Cam
panas, and turned their backs against a
clump of cactus. The General in COM
mand of the troops, S. Cracia de Leon,
caused an order of the day to be read,
making it a penalty of dcah h for any
person who should try to prevent the
execution; and the prisoners were then
given leave to address the crowd. The
sun was now high in the blue sky,
glowing over the profound azure Of the
lofty mountains and bathing the valley
with all intense flood of light and heat.
The Ccrro, like on immense rock thrown
in the valley, stood forth bare and yell
low-looking, green in places, with
patches Of cactus and nopals; square
Of 1000 men surrounded the base of the
hill, with its regular lines. and lis uni
forms and bayoncts glittering in the SUD.
Outside the medley of the undulating
crowd, toward the west, on tie prairie,
stretched away the long and powdery
ribbon of the Celaya road; toward the
cast appeared the lines Of tho white
houses OF Qucrctaro, all nearly COW
cred with foliage and surmounted
with numerous cupolas and crosses; in
the far distance the dim, blush outline
of the Cordilleras. The officer in com
mand of the file of execution approached
Ma ia,ilian and asked his pardon for
having to fulfill his duty. The Emperor
distributed several pieces of gold bear
ing his effigy to the soldiers, recommend
ing them not to aim at his face. He then
embraced the Generals Mejia snd Mira
mon, and as the latter had placed HIM
self on his right, he said to h m aloud:
"Bravc men should be respecte d by their
sovcrcigns to the brink of the grave.
General. pass 10 the place of honor"
Miramon stepped to the certer. Then,
with q firm voice, the Emperor ad-
dressed the crowd: "Mcxicans! Men OF
my race AID origin are born either to
make q peoples happiness or to be mar
tyrs. God grant that my blood may be
the last shed for the redemption of this
unhappy country. Long hive Mexico"
Immediately. General. Miramon, at the
ton of his voice, as when he commanded
his troops on the battle field, cried: :
"ATexicans. Before the court-martial
my defenders only sought to save my
life. At the moment am about to ap.
pear before my God I protest against
the name of traitor which they have
thrown in LILY face to justify my con-
demnation. Let this, spot Of infamy be
removed from my children's name, and
Cod grant that my country may be hap
py. Long live Mexico" General Mejia
raised his eyes toward the heavens:
"Very Holy Mother, beseech thy Son
to pardon me, as pardon those who arc
about to sacrifice me-" A vollcy rang
out from the file of soldiers, and, am DIST
the cloud of smoke, which slowly drirted
away, Maximilian appeared writh:ng
convulsivcly in a pool OF blood, and
groaning -"Hay Hcmbrc!" The coup
dc grace put him out of his agony
Paris Figaro.