Page:Historical Essays and Studies.djvu/185

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RISE AND FALL OF MEXICAN EMPIRE
173

we may pronounce the verdict of history upon his sad career—his worst crime was in accepting the treacherous gift of Empire, but his misfortune was greater than his fault. I think he was well-nigh the noblest of his race, and fulfilled the promise of his words: "The fame of my ancestors will not degenerate in me."