New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-23

er OF surprise abroad that in the speech with Hhlch
nc opened the present session of the BrazilisO egS
nature, the Emperor should have made no reference
Whatever to the subject of Slavery, because INC
course OF events of late years in Brazil had leu peo
pie very generally to believe that the Braziiian
government was steadily moving in the drection vi
emancipation. This silence is all the more remark
abe from the fact that both in 1867 ana 1905 inc
speeches from the throne made pointed reference 10
TINS subject in language calculated to AWAKEN Iho
hope that the period was drawing nigh when meas
nres would be proposed by the Goyernment 40. top
the abolition of Slavery in Brazil. In 1867, the
Emperor said: "The seTvlle element IN the ElnPiIo
cannot but merit your considerations to provide az
suitable time in such manner as to attend 10 tno
high interests connected with Emancipation, Whliee
respecting property and avoiding a sudden dow
and last year the speech from the throne contahcu
the following passage: The servile element has
been an object of careful study, and at suitable
time the Government will submit bill regarding u
to your WISDOM Here was distinct pledge that
the Government was about to initiate measure
looking to the deliyerance of Brazil from the us
grace and curse of Slavery. How comes 1T TO pass
then that this time the Emporors speech is wh9Iy
silent in reference to the question OF Slavery me
answer is easily given. The Emperor IL Is wen
known, is ruler of eminently enlightened Views view.
and imbued with liberal and humane sentiments.
His predictions are all in favor OF emanclpaIlon
but Brazil has Constitutional Government III WhlCh
Ministerial responsibility IS lpc3rporaeu' anu Itro
Conservatives are nowin power The present MINISTERS
are members of party opposed 10 E,hahclpatlol ~
is true that a minority of the party became convert
ed TO the emancipation policy so soon as theY pe-
heved that il was favored by the Emperor; but the
large majority still hold obsnately TO the Opposite
peCy and the existing Cabinet BENG the Represent
atiyes of this majority the speech was framed in ac
cordance with the views of the reactiOniss. There
is no Disgusting the fact that the accession OF ths
party to power has given serious check 10 inc el
cpation movement in Brazil: In so lar as inc qleS
ton of abolishng the servIle element is c0hCeIeu
the Brazilian Government has undoubtedly retro
graded and the hopes awakened by the speeches al
ready alluded TO- by the famous letter of the French
Abolition Society by the DEGREES emaDcpatng slaves
belonging TO the nation for service i'll the war; ana by
the secret abors of the Council of State have been all
for the present indefinitely deferred 1t is worthy OF
being noted, however, as cheering sign for the fq-
ture that the triumph of the retrograde policy Is tet
by large number of BraZlllanS 10 be q nauOnhl
disgrace Public opinion is not dormant on the SUD
iect and the liberal part of the Press speaks ont
plainly and boldly in denunciaton of policy winch
compromises the Brazilian nation IN the eyes OF the
whole civilized world. 1t is only three months ago
that bill passed the British Parliament repeating
the act of 1915, whereby British war vessels were
empowered TO seize Brazilian slavers within the mar
bors and waters of Brazil That act was the result
of the systematic violation by Brazil Of her treaty
with England for the suppression OF the African
slave trade Ii had its intended effect and the trade
being now extinct the British Parliament has re-
pealed the act, believing that in consequence OF
great change having taken place in the feelings OF
the BrazanS with regard to Slavery, there was no
longer any danger of revival OF the trade me re-
peal was dictated by regard for international conf
"; but il Is doubtful whether those who were IN
strumental in bringing il about will not now begin
TO suspect that they rather premature IN their
action. The abolition party here has NOT, however
lost heart, and the press is engaged in earnestly
discussing project of emancipation lately Put forth
by the Constitutional Democratic Society OF Lime-
ra in which it is proposed that all children born of
slave parents from and after the LIST OF January 1880
shall be declared free throughout the Empire.
The Minister of Finance has brought forward his
financial budget for the year lS7O-7l According to
il the estimated revenue will be SslOOOOO, and the
ordinary expenditure 32O9O5OO. leaving deficit of
nearly $4,000,OO0. This deficit the Minister proposes
TO meet by increased import duties and in accord
ance with his views tho House Committee has re-
ported bill adding 40 per cent 10 the present duties
foreign goods entered for consumption laboshing
the collection of - per cent in god and raising the
duties on free goods 20 per cent besides placing
per cent of additional duties on the goods not
chargeable with such. 1t is also proposed to levy
landing and shipping dues in the Custom-House' and
10 charge for warehouse rent therein from the day
of landing the goods The distressing condition Of
the Treasury, which was without means TO satisfy
the eXigenCes of the war, or meet its obligations
with the creditors of the State compelled the Gov
eminent previous to the meeting of the legislature
to resolve on a decree authorizing fresh issue OF
paper money.