The effect of the execution in the republic varied greatly in various quarters. The boisterous manifestations attending the capture had reduced the pressure on public feeling, and now a certain sympathy and respect tended to render more subdued the upholding of Juarez' conduct. Nevertheless, we find strong demonstrations in the ultra-liberal provinces, where the memory of cherished leaders fallen in battle received too pronounced a revival. Among the conservatives, on the other hand, protestations of grief were freely made, especially by the women at Querétaro and in the capital, masses being held and emblems distributed. Conservative journals were naturally restrained by fear. In Europe, as may be imagined, monarchist devotion joined with partisan spirit, race feeling, and pretensions to humanity, to condemn the deed, some denouncing it as an assassination, others qualifying it as a useless and deplorable excess. In the United States opinion ranged between the latter view and one of reluctant approval, as a sad necessity.[1]
The empire was undoubtedly a huge mistake. It can hardly be termed illegal, for all international law
- ↑ 'La política de los Estados Unidos, que han querido dar una leccion severa á Europa.' Arrangoiz, Méj., iv. 347. Cluseret maintained that most Americans regarded it as 'un acte de haute politique commandé por la situation.' 'L'acte'sévère et tout au moins inutile,' says Détroyat, L'Interven., 369-70; Moniteur Univ., July 5, 1867, takes a severe tone. While Frenchmen are ready to blame the church and conservative party for deception, etc., Germans and others prefer to blame Napoleon. See Salm-Salm, Diary, i. 281; Arrangoiz, etc. In Legac. Mex., i. 241-345, is reviewed the feeling in the sister republic from a Juarist standpoint. See, further, Bol. Rep., July 21, 1867 et seq.; Zerecero, Rev. Mex., 131; D'Héricault, Max., 1-20. Sympathy for Maximilian spread in Mexico, as shown by Hans, Quer., 224-7; Tovar, Hist. Parl., i. 359.
other effects of the archduke, awaiting a purchaser, but the courts compelled their surrender. Most of the belongings were scattered, however. His villa became a school house; part of his furniture and table service fell into the hands of Gov. Leyva; his sword passed from Juarez' family to the later president Lerdo; his fine library was hurried away to Europe and sold, the choicest part going to enrich my own collection; his private papers were many of them scattered, Arellano accusing Fischer of selling several. Ult. Horas, iii.-iv. See also Federal, May 3, 1873; Voz Méj., June 2, 7, 9, 1877; Constitucional, Nov. 16, 1867, Jan. 3, Feb. 10, 1868, etc. In Derecho, iv. 147-55, is an account of litigation for effects. Conkling's Guide, 200. Among the obstacles to the execution of Maximilian's testament was the unfortunate condition of Charlotte.
