The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-28
E z a y Y l..
Affairs in the Empire-social and Political
Probable Absence and Possible Abdi-
cation Of the Emperor.

political character OF the present or future OF the
different nations OF the globe the condition OF Brazil
Is peculiarly interesting. More especially Is this
true or the older foreign residents OF this and other
cities OF Brazil and OF the numDer who have become
identified with the development OF the more Interior
provinces, and whose long acquaintance with Brazil
and the Brazilians constitutes them, II not
impartial witnesses at least (parad0xical though
1t may seem, reliable judges They have noted
the changes OF twenty, thirty and possibly forty
years OF residence and familiarity with the govern
ment people. customs and creeds, both political
and religious. and they speak in terms OF surprise &C
the changes which peaceful revolutions have wrought
between what they found at their coming and what
they now see. Brazil, though IN no Intimate con-
tact with the live nations OF the EARTH Is still not so
lar away as not to be affected, and sometimes thor
oughly, by apparently the same causes that have
wrought mighty changes in those lands. The con-
tnual rebuke OF the great republic OF the North.
which, In spite OF its quadrennia political excite
ment and change OF eXecutive-that constitutes the
objection and stumbling block to men of limited
publican ideas, not only in Brazil, but IN
Europe as wel!-has grown so marvellously and
increased In manufactures, wealth. national
privileges. educational opportunities and the
enlightened manhood which results from dignifed
labor so much beyond the hopes even OF the most
enthusiastic republicans OF two generations ago
that its influence has been most important on the
farseeing ana more intelligent and liberal minds Of
Brazil, OF which the nation has yet too lew; and the
mighty struggle through which the United States OF
America grandy and successfully passed, assuring
permanence to its organized, national life. and doub
ling its strength OF which 1t seemed before to have
much, have added new advocates here to the theory
and purpose OF a new government, which shall COM
bine In its constitution ana life the chief features OF
the North American success.
The political throes through which. in late years.
the nations OF Europe have passed-some OF them
even for the preservation OF national lfehave been
witnessed by the people Of Brazil not without the
changing OF old and the creation OF new opin-
ions, and the production or great revolutions or
thought on the subject Of government
Another cause for the disturbance OF public
opinlon-as affected by the changes in social GUS
toms fixed as they had been III the grooves OF gen.
erations-simpe though the announcement may
seem and ridiculous as 1t may nrst appear In the
estimation Of those who have given the matter III
this connection no thought-has been the introduce
ton ana successful prosecution OF the lines OF street
railway. Here, also IN the other cities Of Brazil,
they have been located and managed exclusively
by Americans and men with ample experience and
peculiarly and emlnently fitted :or the WORK which
they undertook. SO that here in this city we have
systems Of street railways which in every feature
and the laying OF IT, the time table system,
the rules and regulations, are equal. II not
SUPERIOR to the best American street railways. and
the people OF Brazil will wake mp some day and
find that these gentlcmen-who, while working for
their own private ends and gain, did not ral to
the benefits TO the people which must arise from
lt-have conferred national blessings which even
bloody revolution might not have secured for 1t Is
notorious chat this innovation street cars, and
the convenience and frequency OF their running have
broken up conventional customs and changed the
methods OF social life from the deep roots OF genera
tons and ages in which they had been running to
point and degree OF benefit which seemed impos-
slble. Before the introduction OF street cars vrtu
pany with fathers, husbands brothers or sons, and
rarely with them, for the liberty OF women was
much restricted. TIE customs OF ages could supply
all their wants within the limits Of their own
mansions, and the rules which bound women
always within doors were liked the caste
DEGREES OF India or the laws OF the Modes and Per-
SLAMS But from slight beginnings, and though only
foreign ladies or the community this Is all changed
and now women, young girls ana children take adj
the streets m numbers comparing fayoraby with
those in American and European cities. This has
been change so marvellous tnat 1t sill eXctes the
remarks OF natives ana foreigners Is beneficial
beyond calculation and its rantcations OF influence
are quite beyond computation Inc street railway
has brought tue remotcr portions OF The city within
short distances OF eaca other so far as time Is con-
cerned; 1t has brought all classes OF population
and political life into more Intimate relations;
cheapened the modus OF city travel given carriages
TO persons OF moderate means, and to the men OF
wealth made the private carriage almost unneces-
sary. 1t has brought 1--we Americans into intimate
acquaintance ana close relations with the otiicias
branches, ana an effect Of this has been 10 sweep
away the cobwebs OF age and conventional custom
which blinded the slght and impeded the move
ments OF those officials, and from them the influence
has extended.
whereof ne was speaking most Interesting and
instructive article might be written on the wonder
ful influence and effect, and the benefit to the
try and people which has come from the establish
ment OF street railways in Brazil, and especially In
mention these as few of the causes OF later fer
mentatiOn In the political organism OF Brazil, ana
WINCH together, gives evident and ample room for
the disturbed state OF politics and society, the cbul-
lltIons OF which are seen every now and then.
The failure OF the complete reorganization OF the
in september last, Is due, undoubtedly 10 the dli
Guilty OF complying with the demand Tor persons
All this is sort OF not hall covering
the ground, and still much longer than presumed
WOULD 6sto say that IN such state and
Emperor from the country. has been and con.
tinues to be ample cause for the rumbngs
Of the political thunder and the flashing OF
the political bolts. Not until lately visit of
the Emperor seemed probable as to warrant the
public debate, IN the papers and out, OF the propr
ETY. or prudence OF such course But 1t Is the
most reasonable thing In the world. Dom Pedro H.,
masculine humanity. and nothing more. SUBJECT to
all the tastes and desires and pains and fatIgues
well as other mortals and OF his more fortunate
subjects who are not emper0rs. There Is large
class OF people VINO seem 10 forget this, and VINO
appear TO think that cmperors are specially endowed
with gigantic power To enable them to bear the
terrible burden OF Official with no fatigue or
murmuring; and particularly In this case they
seem TO think the broad shoulders OF the Emperor
are IKE the pillars OF Hercules, which, II Tor a
time removed, the State Will come tumbng down
into cnaos ana confusion. As a ruler and having
the welfare OF his people at neart. ana holding ma
tional affairs high above all personal considerations,
there none, ] think, who will doubt that these
are marked qualities OF Dom Pedro ii. The sum
which annually allowed him Ia barely sufficient TO
maintain the nseled royalty which the nation de-
mands, which, IL IL generally conceded by those
VINO know the Emperor best, ne would gladly lay
aside. lie Is benevolent and generous To fault: so
that his private means falling short OF his desires
to give on every hand he has been obliged to make
loans or his wealthy personal friends, and these
depts form ol the obstacles TO his leaving the
country; for Brazilian law prevents any OF It's snb-
Jects residing under Its protection, to
leave the place. town, city or province until their