The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-03-15

! the poison of empire into the ears of
Blannerhasett and bring ruin upon
all, so the French emissaries came to
Maximilian and pictured to him the
countries beyond the seas with an
archduke as emperor. But he would
have none Of it.
Then came the meddlesome mischief
maker of Europe, Empress Eugenia.
of France, with the ENJOYS from Pope
Plus TX to poison the mind Of inno-
cent Carlotta. They told her of the
possibilities of this ancient land. of
empire, wealth, power, the pope urg-
ing it as a pious beauty to allow des-
tiny to take its course.
Pope Plus TX, who had for some
time been virtually prisoner in the
Vatican, surrounded by French troops,
feeling the waning power Of the
church in Europe, had dreams of es-
tablishing a great papal common
wealth, in Catholic South America. He
urged Maximillian to accept the
the crown, promising help and sup
port.
With the ambition of Carlotta fired
to fervor heat, it was but matter of
time in which to seduce the gentle and
mild archduke. The plot Of Napoleon
was consummated. A contract was en-
tered into, between the French en-
peror and Maximilian, by which the
latter was to indemnify the emperor
for the cost of the war, pay to French
citizens their claims against Mexico.
And in return, Napoleon YVES to sup
port Maximilian on the throne with
his troops for six years.
ALondon banker advanced the arch
duke s5O,O00,O0O,, s6,OOO,OO0 of this
went as the first annual payment of
Napoleon's war debt, which amounted
! to about S70,OOO,OOO. And 100000
went to citizens Of France. In the
first week in May, 1864, the happy
couple sailed away on a French bat
tIeship from their peaceful home, nev-
er to see it again. In due time they
reached Mexico, and driven in gor-
geous coach, surrounded by one thou
sand horsemen, French and Belgian
troops with thousand of Mexican
malcontents, up to the Palace Royale,
the home of the Montezumas, the
capitol of the ancient Aztecs.
1t was said, that when Carlotta en-
barked on the battleship, she was the
most stately and beautiful queen that
ever trod the deck of ship, and when
she alighted from the coach, all pro-
claimed her the most beautiful woman
in Mexico.
We will pass over the brilliant coro-
nation, the gaities of the fetes that
followed, and leave them upon their
throne in peace for the moment.
But the treasure Maximiliam had
brought, rapidly vanished. The French
and Belgians had to be paid, all the
revolutionists, who had assisted the in
vader were clamoring for indemnity
and pay for services.
Marchal Bazine, commander Of all
the troops and real master of the sit
uation, played the part of tyrant,
and spent the money of the new made
emperor, with prodigal hand. Trou-
bles beset Maximilian on all sides.
The poverty of the people caused by
the different revolts and revolutions,
forbid them from paying any great
amount Of taxes. The money was
now to be Maximilian's savior, or the
lack of it his ruin. He sought permis-
sion from the Pope, to sequester the
church lands, which amounted to
many millions, but the very name of
such thing, threw Plus into frenzy
of rage, and he never forgave the en-
peror for even harboring the thought.
Things grew from bad to worse. Ma
poleon now demanded his second an
nual indemnity, which Maximilian
could not pay. Friends fell away from
the royal pair, troops became dissatis-
fed, and Juarez in the North, stood as
threatening cloud. In this extremity
Carlotta declared she would return to
Europe, asked aid of the pope, and
through her friend Eugenia, solicited
the leniency, if not the help of the
French emperor. So in high hopes,