The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-19
MAxrMILIAN's PRIEST.
He Might Have Saved the Short-Lived EN-
pire If He Had Been Called In Earlier.

pire If He Had Been Called In Earlier.
City of Mexico Special to Boston Adver tiser.
The death Of the Rev. Fir. Fischer, which oc
CURED on Sunday evening the 10th inst, closed
q remarkable career. FIR. Fischer was promi-
nent figure in Mexican politics during the latter
portion of Maximilan's ephemerial reign. In
oeeo ne appears to have gained complete controI
over the somewhat weak-mided and irresoluts
Emperor, who, having once fallen under his in.
nuepce, never took any important step without
seeking Fischers direction and advice. Fischer'a
ascandencv over the Emperor naturally won him
many enemies, ana to those enemies perhaps
are due the unfavorable stories which circulate
in regard to his birth and early career.
He is said to have been a natural son of one
of the Protestant potentates Of Germany. and
in his youth to have been Unfortunately addicted
to gayety and dissipation. He came TO this con-
tinent while still in the prime of life. and after
a stormy career in Texas and California. he set
tied at Durango, in Mexico. Here. from mo-
tives Of policy or conviction. he embraced the
Catholic faith, and was soon after admitted to
holy orders He met Macmillan for the first
time while on a visit to Rome. Macmillan
had already been approached by a deputation
the imperial crown of Mexico. Hearing of
Fischer, he sent for him and piled him with
questions about Mexico. Macmillan gathered a
high idea of Fischer's capacity even from this
short interview; but for reasons that have never
been fully explained he did not promote him
when he came to Mexico emperor. 1t was
only when the unsubstantiai fabric of the en-
pire had already begun to totter that Maxi
milan called Fischer to his counsel.
Fischer's influence over the Emperor was
the whole salutary, and if he had
been summoned at earlier date, or if when
summoned, he had not been thwarted at every
turn by active and INSCRIPTIONS enemies. he
might perhaps have saved the empire, or at least
prolonged it's existence. He possessed those
qualities so necessary for government. and in
which his chief was SO strikingly deficient, viz.
firmness of will and fxity of purpose All who
the lack Of these qualities that caused his down
fall He veered round with every breath of
wind, and erred by turns on the sides OF leniency
and severity.
Fisher is not accused Of any grave irregular
tiles after he had taken priestly orders. Prob
ably he then turned all his eneigies to securing
his own promotion. He seems TO have cherished
the ambition OF appearing In history as a sort or
Wosey or Richeleu. Or course all such hopes
were checkraated by the fall of his patron, and
when he died he was simple parish priest at q
small village near the capital.
He has left a collection of memoirs which will
undoubtedly be intensely interesting. and will
perhaps clear up several questions which have
been hotly disputed. He has left three manu-
script copies of the work. One is in Spanish,
and is in the hands of publishers in New York.
The other two, in English and French, respect
lively, we're Entrusted to firms in London and
Paris. All three houses are under the most sol
emn engagements not to publish the mem oirs
until ten years after their authors death Duting
his lifetime he persiStenty refused to publish
line in regard to the events in which he had
taken SO prominent part, though offers OF
most liberal nature were made to him by more
than ono firm. 1t is conjestured here that some
of the revelations made in the course of the
work will be surprising
After the death of Macmillan and the fall Of
the empire. Fischer made long tour in Europe
Indeed, he hae crossed the Atlantic several
times. During his last visit he saw Alfonso
XII and his consort, the present Queen regent
who is related to the unfortunate Macmillan.
Alfonso tried hard to induce Fischer to settle at
the court Of Spain and accept the Office of royal
confessor. He, however, seemed to have become
too much attached to what might be called the
Nf al 10 Gait 10 ale To-
his old age.
He possessed great physical strength and pre-
served his vigor to the last. though he died at
the ripe age of eighty nine He was versed in
the antiquities of Mexico, and at the time of his
death was engaged on a history of the vice-regal
period. Even his enemies admit that he was a
learned and accomplished man. and tributes to
his memory have appeared in the leading organs
Of the Liberal party.