Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-05-01

eiOuS IA MCAiCo tuc IflSi Vi EmpclOr
Ferdinand Macmillan Joseph, the Aus
trian, is of especial interest. 1t was only
little more than half a century ago that
Mexico was the scene of very much the
same character of revolution that exists
in that country today.
Macmillan accepted the throne OF
Mexico in an evil hour. 1t was not his
own wish that he should become the ruler
Of a country with which he had no SYM
pathy whatever, but his ambitious wife
goaded him on, picturing to him the
honor and riches that would come to
them. Instead what a sad state! Maxi
milan lost his life and Charlotte went
mad.
When the French army had virtually
conquered Mexico the people agreed to
adopt monarchial form of government
under Catholic prince who should take
the the title of emperor, and Mar oleon
offered the Mexican crown to Macmillan
His brother, the Emperor of Austria, was
strongly opposed to his accepting the offer
but the influence of his wife was too strong
to overcome the objections. All the diff
culties and dangers were pointed out to
them, but Charlotte scorned the counsel
Of the timid. With characteristic self-con-
dence, she was certain that she would d.
rect her husband, placate his enemies and
establish his rule in Mexico.
Macmillan felt reluctant to mount q
throne which sat over the crater of q VOL
canO. However, the new Emperor and
his wife entered the capital on the 18th of
Of June, 1864. No sooner was he seated
on the throne than the clergy, large and
official body, maintained that he should
restore to them their immense properties
which previous governments had confis-
Gated. He found it impossible to comply,
and the clergy used their power to weaken
the rule of the sovereign.
Finally, when things had become in q
turbulent state, Napoleon sent a special
messenger to Macmillan stating that he
was no longer able to support him, and
advised him to return to Europe. Char
lotte begged him not to sign the abdica-
ton, and she started for Europe to talk
over the matter with Napoleon. The scene
with the Emperor was an exciting one,
and her troubles preyed SO upon her
mind that she became insane.
News of the madness of Charlotte came
as crushing blow to her afiectionate |
husband, who, harassed on all sides, ill |
and respondent, decided to leave the
scene of his troubles. When the French
army had Withdrawn in March, 1867, the
Emperor issued manifesto and rallying
some 5000, men around him, placed him
self at their head and prepared to fight
The Republican army.
On the night of May IA, he was betray-
I'd by one of his generals, Miguel Lopez,
who admitted the Republicans into the
lily of Queretaro. Opportunities were
given him to escape but he refused, pre-
erring to surrender bis sword with dig
,ity. Two of his generals, Miramon and
Aejia, were also taken prisoners. His
Majesty was lodged in the tower cell of
IAN Teresito. He had an opportunity to
scape but refused.
A day later the plot to smuggle Maxi
milan away was discovered and its primo
pal promoter, Prince Salm-Salm, was
with being shot. The trial Of
he Emperor by cOurt-martial took place
m June IL in the lturbide Theater, at
'ueretaro, which was decorated with
ags as if for festival. The judges were
tx young captains, several oi whom
ould neither read nor write, presided
yer by Lieutenant Colonel Plato Sanchez
knowing that the trial would be u mock
ny of justice the Emperor refused to be
resent, and while it was proceeding
assed the time alone in his cell reading
he history of Charles of England.
Three of his judges voted for the ban
'hment of Macmillan, and three for his
xecution, the casting vote, which led to
he execution, being given by the pre-
ding officer, who Liter on was shot by
is own men. Neither the Emperor nor
is friends, with one or two exceptions,
elieved thar the sentence would be car
ed out.
But the Mexicans of the sixties were as
'-day, blood-thirsty, and nothing would
'tisfy them but the death of the Emper-
:, who was shot on June l6, 1866. What
sad ending of the hopes and ambitions
Charlotte, who, it was ordained should
'end the rest Of her days in madhouse
ever realizing what had become of the
ashland she had influenced to such
rrible fate.-From ''Great Trials in
istory" in The Daily States.