The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-05

The Tragic Ending Of the Brief Em
pire Of Mexico


The Tragic Euding Of the Brief EN-
pire Of Mexico
In the Arril Century Mrs. Coruslius
Stevsnson brings 10 an end her series OF
papers on she French Intervention In
Mexico. her fiEaI article being devoted to
Tho FALL Of Macmillan" Mis- Steven
son says OF the final scene in the tragedy
The execution had been txcd for Juns
10. A. II O'Clock on rhet day ssntsncs
was read to the condemned, who were
told that IL would be carried into effect
At 9 O'Clock on ths same afternoon.
MAximilian received the intslliseDcs
alpiy, and devoted the following hours
whioh lie deemed his last, to debating
ietkrs to DIR. Bisch and to his Mexican
secretary. senor Blssio.. He then con-
fsssed to Padre Soria, and heard mass in
General Miramon's chamber. where the
condemnsd man reosived the last sacra-
msnts. after which he signed his letters
and took leave Of these abou3 him. In
removing his wedding ring and handing
| It TO DIR. Basch he said: "You will tell
my mother that I did my drty ~ a
soldier and died like Christian" After
this he quietly awaited death.
The appointed hour passed, however
without his teina sumnionei to exccu
tion. After prolonge1 suspense. at 4
o'clock In the Afternoon Lews arrived
that repriese OF thrre days had been
granted by the president' In order that
the condemned might have time to make
their last dispositions
This unexpected delay naturally aroused
hopes among the friends of the doomed
men. These hopes 1t Is said by those
closest to him at that lime, were not
shared by Maximiisn.i Ne cohtihtied
his preparations with the same calm
dignity that had not once forsAken him
but he sept telegram to the national
| governments asking that sne lives of s0sn
erals Miramon and Mejia, ''who had
already undergone all the anguish OF
death, tie spared, and that he might bs
the only victim. The request was denied.
After making this supreme effort on
behalf OF his generals, he employed his
remaining hours in debating letters, and
when night came he slept soundiy. On
the morning Of his execution (June 1s) he
aroee at O'Clock, and dressed carefully.
At o'clock Padre Soria oame ana once
moreIeave him the last sacrament; an
altar had teen erected for this purposs in
. niche formed by a passsgeway to his
cell This religious duty having been
performed, he gave instructions to Dr..
Bssch. sending greetings and last tokens
IN avfo Asfa ctw ho
breakfsstsd: and when IN tbe stroke Of a
the ofiicsr appeared who was TO lead him
tosexecutiop, he was ready, and himself
called his companions in death. Three
hacks had teen provided for tho con.
demned The prince entered the first
with the priest, and. escorted by the
soldiery, the mournful procession moved
execution.
On arriving at the Cerro do las Cam.
papss, where q month before he mad
made his last stand the fallen Emperor
looked about him for friendly face,
ana finding only his servant, the Hun
garrian Tudos, he asked. lis no one else
hsre!" 1t Is said, however, that Baron
Magnus. the Prrssian minister, and the
Consul Bahnsen we're present. although
out of sight.
The good priest weakened under the
ordeal; he felt faint, and the prince held
his own smelling bottle to his nose.
Followed by Generals Miramon and
Mejis, Msximilian walked toward the
open square. where an adobe wall had
been erected against whieh they were sx-
yectsd {, stand. About to take his posi-
tian In the middle, Maximilisn stopped,
and turning to Gen. Airamon. said: "A
brave soldier should be honcred even in
his last hour; permit me to give you tie
place of honor;' and he made way for
him. An officer and seven men had besn
de tailed to do the deadly work. The
prince gave each of the soldiers . piece
Of gold, asking them to aim carefully at
his heart; and taking OF his hat, he said !:
"Mexicans. may my blood be the last to
be spilled for the welfare Of the country
and IL 1t should be necessary that its .son
should still shed theirs, may 1t flow for
its good, but never by treason. Long
live independence Long live Msxico"
He then laid his hands on his breast
ard looked straight tefcre him. Fivs
shots fred at snort range pierced his
body; esch Of them was mortal. He fell.
and as re still moved, the flicer In
chargs pointed to his heart with bis
sword, and a soldier stepped forward and
fired last shot.