The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-28
WASHINGTON, d. c..
For the National Era
Ckstcb of the Political History of Europe,
FROM
THE CAPITULATI0N OF PARIS, In 1874,
THE PREsENT TIME.
RYA FRIEND OF LIBERTY
CHAPTER VI.

u
CHAPTER VI
Tho Portuguese Cortes, which had assembled
NTH the consent of the absent King, discussed
.rd adopted, during the first half part OF the
oar 1921. a Constitution almost more hber-
a than even the Spanish. 1t was proclaimed
and sworn on all sides, with the permission OF
,be King. who was then still in Brazil, where
: WAS also proclaimed, and where the King
took the oath Of fidelity to it. On his return
60 Lisbon. during the same year, he renewed
this oath declaring at the same time that he
Aid 80 "with perfect freedom, and according to
HI, innost seifconviction."
Rnt i soon became evident that the enemies
oftbe Constitution were at work to bring about
o counter.revolution. 1t was somewhat later
discovered that plan had been formed for its
outbreak. on the I'd of June, 1922, when the
Constitution was to be abrogated; King Johan
III to be dethroned, and his son, the Infant
Don Miguel, to be appointed Regent of the
kingdom. But the premature discovery pro-
vented the execution Of this plan.
Oo the lst of October, the King renewed
ayain his oath to the Constitution, under the
most solemn forms; and the rejoicings of the
nation resounded throughout the whole State.
But the Queen, the sister of Ferdinand VII
Of Spain, refused to take the oath, which re-
fussl would have caused her removal from the
kingdom, had she not feigned illness, and thus
obtained permission to remain. Having re-
solyed to do all that she could to overthrow the
Constitution, she acted honorably and rightly
in refusing the oath, contrasting we'll so far
with her son, Don Miguel, who, having the
sane Intention, nevertheless took the required
oath.
The enemies of the Constitution, encouraged
by The Holy Alliance, and by the aggression of
France upon the Zee institutions of Spain, re-
covered soon their audacity. On the 23d of
February, 1923, Count Amarante raised the
standard Of reaction in Traslos Monies, one Of
the provinces of Portugal; but, after having
gained some advantages, he was completely
beaten on the 23d of March, by the Constitu-
tonalists. Still he did not become discouraged,
bat succeeded, on the 9th of May in effecting
counterrevoution in Lisbon itself, by we'll
prepared instruction, the chief instigator OF
which was the Queen, who thus repaid the
leniency with which the Liberals had treated
her.
The King left Lisbon, and declared in a
reclamation of the Sd of June, his determine
ton 10 re-estabGsh pure monarchy. On the
9Th of June, he made his remittance in that
city, amidst the shouts of JOY raised by mer-
cenary soldiery, whilst the people kept silent.
Don Miguel who had been the principal in
strument in changing the sentiments of the
army, was appointed its COMMANDMENTS chief
and received afterwards the most fattering
testimonies of satisfaction from the Emperor
Alexander.
Tyrannical edicts great many acts of ven
geance and general discontentment, were the re-
suits produced by this military revolution. Still
the King in the eyes of the bigoted and blood
thirsty Absolutists, did not treat the Patriots
with becoming severity. The Queen, Don
Miguel, and with them the great majority of
their adherents, demanded the death and total
eKurpaiion of every friend of constitutional
freedom in Portugal.
In February, 1924, the Marquis of Louie, a
chamberlain and favorite of the King, was as
sasslnated, on account of his advice to act with
moderation: and on the 30th of April, a terri
BE Instruction broke out, under the auspices
Of the Queen and Don Miguel, the object Of
which was, the eItirpation of the Constitution
sists and the reinforcement of the King.
The diplomatic corps. headed by the Ambas
sailors of France and England, prevented the
9S- however, by timely remonstrance; and
The Old monarch sought for safety on board Of
an English shipofthe-line, whittier he ordered
Don Miguel to repair, who, after having, with
oli any visible regret, confessed his culpable
Intention, was banished from the kingdom.
The Government of Portugal underwent now
change somewhat favorable to Freedom. A
decree Of amnesty was issued, and the Cortet
ConToked for adopting a Constitution, in con
1sIl.ty with the ancient manners and customs
o. The country. STILL the Absolutists continued
men plots, in which the Queen was the leading
SpiFIl but, on the discovery of her new intrigues
Sne vas treated with some severity.
Dy treaty of the 18th of July, 1925, conclu
yea at klo Janero, under the entire influence
u England the Government of Portugal ac
AnAo"edged the independence of Brazil, anC
poh rearo, the eldest son of King Johan, as it,
'o,Te a with the title of Emperor.
{. Inc n death of Napoleon, which took place a
" :, Helena :, on the 5th of May, 1921, delivered
- Ie Holy Alliance and England, and especially
nv royal family of France, from the fear which
az 'heSe enemies of his had not been able tt
;emoye from themselves, as long as he was liv
;ns' nouSh captive on barren and exceed
~ lug carefully guarded island. The oppressors
- Europe had felt apprehensive that he might
que means or another, contrive to recover
;,!:ee1on, and make his temperance on the
g arena, and in the midst of the genera
T,aeon'ent, and consequently be hailed as de
ef' not only by the French, but also By
ran ! Of the other European nations. Th'
Iv"S u his death removed, therefore, heav,
sin f1 fa.. from the breasts of his powerful an'
M. rearing foes, many of whom, from that mo
nen,, began to be more Just towards his mem
nan they had been toward himself
h.. D-I from the moment that Napoleon's dealt
Io. ,rule known, the rigor, on the part of tn,
fss continental Governments, against tn
S OIL constitutional freedom, increased il
cbos! pereeptble degree. 1t was, however
en-. III rance that the holiness of the adher
g. unlimited monarchy became still great
,ra french Chambers of 1922 approved o
avs directed against the liberty of tn
one os "hlcn had been proposed by Pieronnet
s,r;oi, me Ministers, who thus acquired the un
tba T..S honor of destroying the palladium O
Frsr -I.ie freedom previously enjoyed by tn
60; -cn people, since the ascendency of the Re
1 no or Ultrds.
nr;raS Chamber of Deputies of 1923 was de
fv ~ ny the result of the elections, influence,
em;nan dictionary party, of great many of tn
gr,ood defenders of the Constitution, who ha
sns v line me previous Chamber, and in an impc
the r- Ianoer combated the blamable designs G
notoro ras; Consequently, it became easy for tn
Of S on,S Illlele, Prime Minister, from the At
measp p,emOer to carry through the most violer
Yea, >. me very beginning of the session of tia
the Ger ae eloquent Manuel was expelled fror