The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-05
Great Trials of History.
TRIAL OF MAMMALIAN.

In view OF the present disturbed con-
ditlons In Mexico. the trial OF Emperor
Ferdinand Macmillan Joseph. tho Aus
TRAN. is OF especial interest. II was
only n little moro than half n century
ago that Mexico was the scene OF very
much the same character OF revolution
that exists in that country to-day.
Macmillan accepted tho throne OF
Mexico in an evil hour. IT was not
his own wish that he should become
tho ruler OF a country with which he
had no sympathy whatever. but his
Ing TO him the honors and riches that
WOULD come to them Instead. what a
Charlotte went mad.
When the. French army had virtually
conquered Mexico tho people agreed
To adopt monarchal form OF gov
crnincni under a Catholic prince, who
should take the tito of emperor. and
Nnroieon offered the Mexican crown to
Macmillan. Ills brother, the Emperor
OF Austria, WAS strongly opposed to
his accepting the oNcr but the iniiu-
I cnco Of his wife was too strong to
overcome the objections. All the dim
cYitics and dangers were pointed out
u them. but Charlotte scorncd the
counsel OF the timid. With character
istic lf-conndcncc. she was certain
that she could direct her husband.
/ pl2catc his enemies and establish his
rule III Mexico.
MaNimiitan felt reluctant to mount
throne which sat over the crater OF
a volcano. However. the new Emperor
and his VII. entered the capital on
the 18th OF June. 1861. no sooner was
he seated ON The throne than the
clergy, a large and Official body, main
tanned that lie should restore TO them
their immense properties which pre-
Nious governments had confscatcd. lie
found II impossible 10 comply, and the
clergy used their power to weaken the
! rule of the sovereign.
Email. when things, had become in
Il turbulent state, Napoleon sent "A spe-
d a tai M
that hc was no longer able to support
him. and advised him TO return TO t.u-
rope. Charlotte begged him not to
sign the ahdication. and she started for
Europe to talk over the matter with
Napoleon. The scene with the Emperor
was an exciting one, and her troubles
preycd so upon her mind that she be-
came insane.
News OF the madness of Charlotte
t!onatc husband. who. harasscd on all
sides III and dependent. decided To
March sd7 " the Hnn W.s"df iSsH.d n
naniiGisto; and Tallyine some, 5000 men
head ana prepared TO light the Repub!i-
/ can army.
on the night OF May IA he was be
Lopez. who admitted the Republicans
INTO the city of Qucrctaro. Opportuni-
r.es were giyen him to escape. but he
| sword with dignity. Two Of his gen
Z erals. MiTImon and Mejia, We're also
taken prisoners. His Majesty was
lodged IN The tower cell Of the convent
OF san Tcrcsito. lie had m opportun-
~ TO escape while In prison. but re
fused.
MaSlSlan away AZ wa9 'G Gsc % SndaE anS
Us principal promoter. Prince Salm-
Sa!m, was threatened with being shot
! The trial OF The Emperor by court
martial took place on June - IN the
lturbide Theatre at Nucrctaro. which
was decorated with flags as IL for a
FESTIVAL. The judges were six young
captains. several OF whom could neither
reaQ nor write, presided over by Lieu
tchtnt-CoIoncl Plato Sanchez. Know.
ing That the Trial would be a mockery
OIL Justice. the Emperor refused to be
present, and while * was proceeding
reading the history of Charles I. OF
England.
Three of his Judges voted for tho
Punishment OF Macmillan. and three
Tor his execution, the casting vote
which led TO the execution. being given
bv the presiding officer, who later on
WAS shot by his own men. Neither the
Emperor nor his friends. with one or
two exceptions. believed that the sen
'ence would be carried out
Eut the McXicanS of the sixties were
as to-day. bloodthirsty, ana nothing
would satisfy them but the death OF
me Emperor, who was shot on June 16
1857. what sad ending of the hopes
aud ambitions OF Charlotte. who. 1t was
ORDAINED, should spend the rest OF her
ne in a madhonSe. never realizing
What had become of the husband she
had influenced to such n terrible fate!