Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-10-09
The Execution of MaximiIiap.

The moment had come; each of the con-
demned men mounted into the carriage
which awaited them, and they trayersed
the streets of Queretaro in the midst of a
motley multitude who, respectful and
afflicted, crowded round on their passage I:
handkerchief were waved, and now and
again a sound of sobs woald reach the pris-
oners' ears. The condemned bowed on
each side as they recognized in the crowd
many a familiar face. Some minutes be-
fore 7 o'clock they arrived on the Cerro de
las Campanas, a little more than half q
mile distant from the town; here they de-
scended from the carriage. walked OF foot
half way up the hill called the Cerro de las
Campanas, and turned their backs against
a clump OF cactus. The General in com
mand of troops, s.. Gracia de Leon, caused
an order of the day read, making it a penal
ty OF death for any person who should try
to prevent the execution and the prison
ers were tken given leave TO address the
crowd. The sun was by now high in the
sky, glowing over the profound azure Of
the lofty mountains and bathing the valley
with an intense flood of light and heat.
The Cerro. like All immense rock thrown
in the valley, stood forth bare and yellow
looking, green in places. with patches of
cactus and nopals; a square of 1000 men
surrounded the base OF the bill, with its
regular lines, and its uniforms and bayO-
nets differing in the sun. Outside the
medley Of the undulating crowd, toward
the west, on the prairie, stretched away the
long and powdery ribbon Of the Celaya
road toward the east appeared the lines of
the white houses of Queretaro, all nearly
covered with foliage and s~trnounted with
numerous cupolas and crosses in the far
distance the dim, Blush outline Of the Cor
dilleras. The officer in command Of the
file of execution 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 70 aim at
lis face. He then embraced the Generals
Meiia and Miramou, and as the latter had
placed himself on his right, be said to him
aloud Brave men should be respected
by their sOvereigns to the brink of the
grave. General, pass to the place of honor
Miramon stepped to the center. Then,
with a firm voice, the Emperor addressed
the crowd; "Mexicansl Men of my race.
and origin are born either to make a peo-
pies happiness or 10 be martyrs. God
grant that my blood may be the last shed
for the redemption Of this unhappy
country. Long live MexiooW Immedi-
ately General Miramon, at the top of his
voice, as when be commanded his troops
on the battlefield, cried "Mexicausl Before
the CouFt-martial my defenders only sought
TO save my life. At the moment / am
about 10 appear before my God. Iprotest
against the name OF traitor which they
have thrown in my face to justify my on
domination. Let this spot of infamy be re-
moved from my ehildren's name, and God
grant that my country may be happy. Long
eyes toward the heavens Very Holy
Mother, l beseech thy Son TO pardon me,
as I pardon those who are about 10 sacrifice
me- A volley ring out from the file Of
soldiers. and. amidst the cloud Of smoke.
which slowly drit;ed away, Macmillan
appeared writhing conyulsiyely in 8 pool
Of blood, and grooming " Hay HombreP
The coup de grace put him out of his ag-
ony.-Paris F.gars.