Evening journal., 1888-06-11
DEATH or MAMMALIAN.
The Demands OF Brexico"-Heroic Con.
duct-A Tragic Scene.

The Demands of BTexico''-Heroic Com
duct-A Tragic Scene.
From the day of his surrender until the
morning Of his execution, Macmillan re-
mained in his convent cell. He pleaded three
excuses for not attending his trial Sickness
Chis nervous system had given way inimedi-
ately after the surrender, the demands Of
his private affairs in anticipation Of death
for he was resigned to what he knew would
be the result-and the inferiorlty in rank Of
the court selected to try hirn. The imperial
prisoner attracted the attention of all Mexico,
and the president at San Luis Potoa was be-
stesed vita petitsons from every part OF the
country aud from all classes of people, Re-
publican as well as Imperialists and non-par-
tisans, begging that'tb life OF the emperor
might be spared. But he was deaf TO all ap-
peais, basing hts rsfusals to grant mercy in
vaiIablyElpon the demands Of Mexico.1
The conduct Of the emperor during his last
ten days was 30 heroic as to win the admira-
ton OF all. His letters, written in anticipa-
tion OF death, to his family, to his counsel
and to bis friends Ia Mexico are noble and
touching He would be heartless man who
could read them unmoved. Among his last
letters YVES one to President Juarez, pleading,
not for his own life, but that the lives of his
two bravo generals might be spared In his
last hours he was comforted by the false re-
port brought to him that Carlota was dead.
He ever after spoke with assurance Of soon
meeting his beloved wife beyond the grave.
At sunrise on the morning of June 10, 1867,
the emperor and his generals, Miramon and
Mejia, were lod out to the Cerro d las Cam
panas for execution. Macmillan yielded the
central place, the place OF honor, to Miramon
as testimonial to his bravery, and took his
place at the left Of the line marked out. He
gave gold coins to the soldiers detailed to
fire the fatal volley, and begged them to aim
directly at his heart and avoid mutilating his
face. He had directed that his body be sent
to Europe, and he wished his mother to see his
face without any marks of the fearful death
be was 10 die. Ho took p@ins 30 wrap a
handkerchief around his long blonde beard
to prevent it from being burned Then, ed
dressing the soldiers Of the Republican army
and the immense crowd standing in sorrow
ful silence On the hill ssde, he said. s4Mexi-
cans, die for a just cause.-the indie
pendsnce Of Mexico. God grant that my
blood may bring happiness to my
new counsry. Viva Mexicoln Mira
mon echoed kt "Vjva Msxieofv and the loud
report Of muskets rang out over the hills and
valleys Of Querstaro. The three men fell
heavily. Maximfiian was not instantly
killed, and sprsng to his feet at once utterlng
the most agonizing cries A soldier advanced
and gave what Is called the golpe de gracia
tthe blow OF mercy)-a we'll aimed shot which
pierced the heart Of the emperor and
stretched his lifeless body beside those Of his
companions in arms.
HE who knew not how to govern
said one Of his republican critics, "at
least knew how to dien All over Mexico
there were mourning and tears of pity
for the attractive prince whose career lad
been SO sadly ended in his s5th year; and, as
soon as the news of his untimely death went
abroad, expressions Of sorrow and sympathy
were heard in every quarter Of the globe
Arthur Howard Noll in American Magazine.