The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-06
DOM PEDRO II.
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The Proposed Visit OF the Emperor
Of Brazil to Europe and
the United States.
The Troubles Which Beset a
Monarch.
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Opening Of the General Assembly Of
the Empire.
Remarkable Speech from the
TFrGne.
The Emperor Assails the Bugbear OF slavery-A
Splendid Programme OF Reform-Descrip-
ton 0! the Opening Ceremony.

ton o, the Opening Ceremony.
RIO JANEIRo, May IL, 1871.
The long. mooted subject OF a foreign trip by His
Majesty Dom Pedro H., Emperor of all the Brazls,
has within the past week been brought almost to
yatt accoanpH and there is now little doubt that
before the close OF the present month We shall be
governed by regent, in the person of the Princess
Imperial, Donna ISABEL
The Legislative Chambers were opened by the
Emperor in person on the Sd OF the present month,
and the 5th the Minister OF the Empire submitted
10 the Chamber Of Deputies bill asking as Is re-
CURED under the constitution, permission for His
Majesty TO leave the empire, and that the Princess
Imperial be appointed Regent during the interval Of
absence, with all the attributes Of the Moderatlve
and Executive Powers. The Minister also recon-
mended that sum OF two million mtireis be ap-
propriated for the expenses OF the imperial voyage
ana stated that his Majesty would not require the
leave to extend beyond the 1st day OF April, 1872.
On the 7th inst the bill was passed. after some dis
and slight modification, allowing $780, 600 for
the expenses and directing that three ships OF Of
the Brazilian navy detailed act as an imperial
escort.
The reason officially assigned as the great object
of the trip the restoration Of the health OF her
Majesty the Empress; but II is very well known
tnat the project Of a European tour has been pre-
vaillng in the imperial mind for about two years,
and II her Majesty's health was the cause which
first suggested 1t 1t was indeed severe that permls
sion to seek restoration had not been accorded long
since. or course the qudnuacs nave not been
slow to snuff up the rumor-laden atmosphere
which always surrounds the unhappy mortas whose
mortality is infused with the purple blood, and there
are numerous wise waggings Of the head and
stretchings of the neck Ills cODGdentialy limited,
by everybody to everybody, that 'hls Majesty will
never return to these shores.n Certain IL is that
the wish OF the Emperor has not met with much
popular favor, and there are few indeed OF his sub
iects who viii not regret deeply his departure
even though only temporary. Dom PEDRO III. is
probably as popular monarch any the world
has ever seen, and though it is well known that
there exists an influential party in the country who
would gladly revoutionize the empire still
these turbulent spirits Will never attempt such
crime during his reign. And in this spirit of for.
bearance they governed quite as much by per-
sona regard for the Emperor, who Is wise, just
and benianant sovereign. as by lear Of his power.
But Ia asserted that Dom Pedro is tired OF Brazil
he is man OF advanced views, liberal and enlight.
ened policy always expressing the most earnest de-
sires for the social political and material develop
ment and welfare OF the nation. In his efforts 20
give effect to his expressed views in these regards
he has PROFESSIONALLY never been aided By his min
listers or any department OF the government He is
hundred years In advance OF his Cabinet and dep
utics, courtiers and all. He would be fitting mon.
arch for people OF AngloSaxon stock, and the
sluggish suspicious, tacturn blood OF the Latns by
whom he is surrounded cannot, ana would not IL It
could, be stirred into activity with the progress OF
the age II is known that the Emperor perceives
this acutely as any man living and that he feels
that the usefulness OF his reign Is lmpa.red-the
wheels OF his willing power 10 make the nation
really great heavily cioSged. Ever since he attained
the majority of manhood he has struggled against
this incubus hoping that time would relieve him
Of 1t; but still 1t clings to him, and the knowing
ones say he has rclinquished the contest and seeks
TO escape from influences which are opposed To all
mis- higher aspirations as a man and as monarch
who has been frustrated in his desire TO make his
reign an illustrious one His European tour, it is
claimed. means simply eventual abdlcauon in favor
Of his daughter, the Princess Imperial.
And here again crops ont another peculiar vein Of
the strata Of ill-omened gossip which underlies
whole project. The Princess Imperial the wife OF
the Count dEu, son OF the Due de Nemours, and the
harpies OF evil, who are presaging ali manner OF
fearful things oil the Imperial absence, tnat the
Count VIII exercise too important an influence over
affairs as the husband OF the Princess Regent He
harmonlzes with the ideas OF the Emperor. In tAe
second place ne Is soldier by profession, and re-
TO his presence ability In field that The re-
cent Paraguayan war, which mad 80 long embar-
raised tne nation. was Drought 70 sudden and
Old slow coach members OF the government see
menace to their blissful torpidlty OF ideas.
These, then, are some OF the unpleasant Rugges-
tions which cluster in the foreground OF an event
such as IL usually made the occasion Of geant and
wishes Of "God speed" among other nations Their
NaJestes VIII sail by the steamship Donro on the
path tnst but as yet not single suggestion has
been heard to the steps 10 be OF the display
well.n The Iauon really seems moody and sullen.
Mga'nss an ,nese , dismal Isl s however
friends of progress everywhere, there is back
ground OF brighter probaDllltes. Dom Pedro is one
OF the cultivated and intellectual men OF mis- time,
and It would pe anticipating little OF all his great
and recognized qualities II |, sanely supposed
shrinking from a responsibility wncn he innerlted,
accepted and has borne honorably Tor over thirty
years. HIS father, Dom Pedro l.. was compelled TO
abdcate, and ordinary pride would mpel MS sou TO
redeem that event by himself dying IN the imperial
which has urged him for so many years to WORK
sterny for ner advancement, Is guarantee that he
knows It's Importance. No gnoble act mas ever been
limited or regarding him, but II would be ign0blc to
abdcate voluntarily when the part OF hero lies
clearly within the line of his duty Since his Access
sion TO the tnrone he has for hour been alb
sent from his dominion, and rarely absent from
his capital city, and there IL every reason why the
natural desire OF an intellectual man educated IN
Europe should be In favor OF some relaxation and
change OF scene and surroundings after long appll
cation at the post OF duty
Again, the health OF the Empress is stated to he
the prime motive OF the voyage There s a delicate
PROBABILITY limited at "a the foundation OF this rea-
son. There IL no male Issue of the imperial mar
rlage and there are no children from the union OF
the Princess Imperial with the Count d. Eu 10 con-
tnuc the succession In the first degree OF AFFINITY.
The Princess Leopodina, whose recent death in
Europe has been sonrte o, deep aillcLion 10 their
Mujesties, the mother by her husband, the
Duke Of SAKE OF TOUR sons an OF whom 1 beiieve,
living and IN the event Of The death OF the Prln
Imperial, without issue, The crown Will revert
TO The eldest child OF the lanented Leopodlna. The
Duke OF SAKE, Is reported, len Brazil IN high dud-
geon In consequence OF the refusal OF Dom PEDRO 10
niiow him TO take service during the Paraguayan
war. and il Il snspeCed that he Is not OF very strong