, 1886-09-14
THE EXECUTION OF MAMMALIAN.


How the Emperor and Gems. biiramon
and NiiJIa Met Their Fate.
The momen had come; each of the
condemned men mounted the carriage
which awaited them, and they %traversed
the streets Of Queretaro in the m DIST of
a motley multitude, who, respectful and
afflicted, crowded round on their pas
sage; handkerchiefs were waved, and
now and again a sob would reach the
prisoners ears. The condemned men
bowed on each side as they recognized in
the crowd many a familiar face. Some
minutes before Z o'clock they arrived on
the Cerro de las Campanas, a little more
than ha ( a mile distant from the town;
here they descended from the carriage,
walked on foot half-waj up the hill
called Cerro de las Campanas, and
turned their backs against a clump OF
cactus.
The general in command of the troops,
S. Gracia de Leon, caused an order of
the day to be read, making il a penalty
of death for-any person who should try
to prevent the execution; and the pris-
oners were then given leave to address
the crowd The sun was by now hiYh.in
the blue sky, glowing over the profound
azure Of the lofty mountains aud bath
ing the valley with an intense flood of
light and heat. The Cerro, like an i'm
Inense rock thrown in the val ey, stood
forth bare and acknowledging, green in
places, with patches of cactus and no.
pals; a square of 4. 900 men surrounded
the base of the hill. with its regular lines
and its uniforms and bayonets glittering
in the sun. Outside the medley of the
undulating crowd, toward the east ap-
peared the lines of the white houses of
Queretaro, all nearly covered with foil
age and surmounted with numerous
cupolas and crosses; in the far distance
the dim, blush outline of the Cordh-
leras.
The officer in command of the exc
cution approached Macmillan and asked
his pardon for having to fulfill his duty.
The emperor distributed several pieces
OF gold bearing his effigy to the sol
diers, recommending them not to aim at
his face. He her embraced Gems.
Mia and Miramon, and as the latter
had placed himself on his right, he said
to him aloud: Brave men should be
respectfully their sovereigns to the brink
OF the grave. General, pass to the place
of honor" Miramon stepped to the cen
ter. Then with a firm voice the empe-
ror addressed the crowd: "Mexicans.
Men of my race and origin are born
either ia make a peoples happiness, or
to be martyrs. God grant that my blood
may be the last shed for the redemption
OF this unhappy country. Long live
Mexico.r
Immediately Gen. Miramon, at the
top of his voice, as when he commanded
his troops on the battlefield. cried:
"MeNicans, Before the court-martia
my defenders only sought to save my
life. AT the l am about to APP
pear before my God l protest against the
name of traitor which they nave thrown
in my face to justify my condemnation.
Let this spot of infamy be removed from
my chiidren's NAME, and God grant that
my country may be happy. Long live
Mexico.' Gen, Mejia raised his eyes
toward heaven: VERY holy mother, L
beseech thy Son to pardon me. as 1 par
don those who are about to sacrifice
me-" A volley rang out from the file
of soldiers, and, amidst the cloud Of
smoke which slowly drifted away, Max
imilian appeared writhing convulsively
in a pool of blood, and grooming: Hay
Hombrei' The coup de grace put him
out of his agony.-Paris Figaro.