The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-23

sentatives the deputy Csrneiro Leao imuedistelv
proposed the Teierm OF the constitutional article
which fixes the imperial majority at eighteen years.
a fierce contest concerning the constitutionality
of that article ensned, Carneiro Leao proved his
thesis by evidence. and made this occasion one of
bis finest speeches from the tribune. But the ques
ton was not 10 be decided either by speeches or by
votes.
HIS talent at the tribune, and his parlamentar
capacity, admitted by every one, were not the Onl
Qualities to recommend him. Till then, he had )t
yet had an opportunity OF showing those solid quail
ties OF activity rnuess and perspcacity required for
the practical admin srsti0n OF the country This &C.
cas,on WAS low offered him. all things iad cative
OF pTetenec on the part OF the opposition to take
power by coup de main, aud to launch the country
again into confusion. The government, initiated
into its secret plans watched them vigilanty in
order TO Illustrate them. ST. Carneiro LeaO was ap-
pointed President Of the prOvace OF RIO de Janeiro
WHICH on account OF its proximity to the two
provinces OF 5. Paulo and Mnas had an extraordi-
nary importance. In this new position the clever
parliamentary oe5ater proved himself an active and
energeuc administratO,, t. such u point that when
In san Pauio. ana afterwards in Barbacena the
revolutionary movement broke forth, the President
OF RlO DC JaDeirO had already succeeded In ami aat-
ing the revoiut onary germs whicn he had
spread over different municipalities of that province
30 that the revolt OF Barbacena. instead OF extend
ing to the capital, as Its chiefs had hoped, was
forced to follow the opposite direction into the In
terror of the province Of Minas and TO abandon all
hope of triumph
The parliamentary position of Carneiro Leao
and the active part he had taken in the repression
Of the revolutionary movements OF 1912, called him
to the succession OF the ministry Ia the want Of its
btibg obliged TO retire. THIS eventually soon hap
pence and was the origin OF the Sc ,ond ministry Of
our Distinguished statesman. But the principle of
discoid which had caused the dissolution OF the
cabinet was necessarily, Notwithstanding the ap-
parent strength OF the new ministry and the sup
port Of the country and the chambers destined to
continue to embarrass the new administration, and
finally to prove fatal to it.
The province Of Pernambnco, which had been
agitaed by rebellion, had fallen under the intu-
ence Of the most exaggerated democratic ideas. The
revolt having been queled, it was necessary to re-
establish CAIN and repose in the public Mid and to
extingush the last relic Of this disastrous termenta
ton.
great name was wanted, acceptable to the con-
seTyafiSes OF Pernambuc0 on account OF the memory
of bis past services, AMI, at the time man Of
perspicacty, moderation and energy All these qua.
lities wers united in Carneiro Lea0. The province
was Tanquilizsd by him; its administration regu.
lated and the spirits both of the conservatives exas
peIated by so many Years of implacabe persecution
and Of the liberals terrified by the loss Of domina-
ton they believed everlasting, promptly returned to
the dispositions OF order and tranquility which
rei9ned in most OF the other provinces Of the EN-.
pire.
The mission Of this able statesman being termi-
mated he retired to the capital but he enjoyed his re-
tirement for only short time. His friends asked Of
him new service, OF quite different nature from
those he accustomed to render them This time
not man OF the tribune administrator that
Was wanted, but vgilant and perspicacious diplo-
matt t. to be sent 70 the Rio de Ia Plata where the
external policy Of the Imperial Cabinet was about to
engage either In friendly alliance or in war.
In this most delicate mission Carneiro Ieao was
true to the opinion entertained Of his abilities; and
whatever may have been the ultimate results OF it,
certainly the finest pages of history ia that
in which the events ofthe Rio de Ia Plata are in
connection with the names Of Pauline Jose Soares de
stuza and Of Honorio Hermeto Carneiyo Leao; both
of them, in the titles with which they have been
warded preserved the remembrance Of their glorious
services Returned from his dip omatc mission,
Vhconde de Parana was at last allowed to enjoy
repose; bis abors in the Council OF State and
the debates In the Senate, where he always stood IN
the first rank among the defenders Of the ministry.
still occupied, however his attention
In the meantime the aspect OF the country
changing; political passions subsding; princi-
Piles were no longer contested; the industry which
was in progress OF deveopement Dgrossei the gene
Is tenton. The lassitude OF Parliament alled for
anew ministry, and the monarch called the Marquis
OF Parana 10 organize IT.
Here we enter on new and the last stage OF the
political life Of ur illustrous statesman; 1t brings
us down TO the present time. The epoch at which
the viscoDde de Psrana began his new ministerial
career was entirely different from all the others he
had passed through. In the poli ical atmosphere
there was no longer that load Of electrcity-the
foreboding Of approaching tempests none of the
fundamental principles of Brazilian society were in
question; the authority organized by the conser-
vatiye party had disarmed all violent passions. sup
pressed all criminal attempts; the pacfcation Of
the public mind was so complete That the word
Cancellation In every mouth, the desire for II in
every heart But in what was 1t TO consist? how
was this Cancellation to be attained? Up to that
time nobody had succeeded In giving satisfactory
explanation Of the question; 1t remained problem
10 be solved. The new ministry undertook aud
promised to satisfy the general desire To fulHl this
mission its chief possessed, besides favorable social
circumstances, q great force in his name, which 50
many years Of devotion and frmness had surrounded
with high prestige. There was sill another ad-
vantage not less considerable: Of nil men whose
fame reposed on their past services and ~ho, there
fore, enjoyed the respect Of the present generation
OF all the men OF reputation amongst our statesmen,
he alone presented himself. Death had swept away
the one-other. still living and full OF vigor had
retired from pablo life and showed little DISPOSE
ton 10 plunge again the stormy waves OF poll
tics. visconde de Parana obtained from al Of
them more or less devoted support-none Of them
interposed the least obstacle 70 bis ministry.
Supported by this double force and with Just con-
fdenee In himself and the purity Of his intentions
be marched UPWARDS; after having given concila-
ton individual guarantees, by calling 10 the highest
positions those Of his former adversaries who met
his views, he desired also TO give 1t the guarantee
of IDEAS, and the Law OF electoral reform was pro-
posed through the medium Of his devoted friends.
This law WAS Low TO be carried out; II was the
most delicate part OF the task OF the ministry on
account OF the great number OF pretensions which
solicited his protec ion, or against which he had TO
@ruggle- In tbe midst OF AL sneHe aimcutes az
gravsted as they were by the unavoidable organza-
ton Of new parties. the Marques Of Parana was
called from this earthly scene of strife eternal
repoee. IL IL said that In his last hours. when his
spirit already preparing TO take flight the illu+
tous orator, pre- occupied vita the last debates In
the Senate, supposed himself TO be at the tribune,
and replied IN the accusation Of sceptcism by which
the present epoch il cha acterized.
The Marques de- Psrans was gifted with prodi-
Rous and ever really memory, an extraordinary per-
spicscty. and q resolu frmness CT mind; his Ian
gusge was ordinarily incorrect, his diction embar
rsssed, but when coptrsd tion irria,ed or his own
energy carried him away, those faults disappeared,
and the great parliamentary orator captivated his
auditors and annihilated his adversa-ies.
OF an rrascible temper, he easily yielded to IN
Just impulses: nor were the parliamentary debates
the proper school TO correct this detect OF his char
acfer; but he the first to forget the aggression
he bad provoked as soon ~ caimsr reflection re-
turned.
His loyalty was proof against all temptations; he
served his friends with the greatest zeal even great
xt...~