The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-05-24
The Royal Line Of Brasil and Por'o'

It is nearly four centuries since braIil
was discovered, and although now inoe-
pendent of Portugal, it has always Deeh
governed by the same royal family. For
q period Of its early history the occupa-
ton of some of its seaport towns was dis
puted by the French; but they were nnal-
ly driven Oh, and the country was ever
afterward governed as Viceroyalty OF
Portugal, until in 1907 the two countries
singular!y changed relations, Brazil be-
coming the seat of government.
Portugal temporized to no purpose with
Napoleon, having yielded to his preten
sions until warned of the futility of such
measures by the example of the unsuc-
cessful servility OF Spain, Then the roy al
family of Braganza took step which as
tonished all Europe. 1t was regarded as
cowardly, but in their helpless condition
it was certainly polite.
1t was IN order 10 save bloodshed, and
with the hope that the invader would
spare his subjects in consequences of his
own unqualified submission. that Dom
Joao, after counselling his afflicted peo-
ple-who desired to detqin him, and
wouldihave maintained his rights at all
hazards-to obey Napoleon implicitly,
embarked in haste with his family. He
babe adieu to the thousands who had as
sembled TO witness the sad spectacle, and
left his native shores to seek refuge in
this distant colony. Thus the loss to
Portugal proved gain to Brazil. She
assumed the first rank, and after the gen.
eral peace of Europe still maintained it,
the sovereign preferring to remain, and
to govern the old country with a delega-
ted power for some years.
In 1921 King Joao vi. had become
disguised with the new world, and his en-
envy, Napoleon, having no longer posses
sion of Portugal, he returned to his home,
leaving his son Pedro to govern Brazil
as viceroy. But the Brazilans, hav-
ing once assumed the first rank, were ma
turally unwilling to be superseded again
by Portugal. Accordingly IN the follow
ing year they declared their independ-
ence, installing the viceroy as Emperor,
with the title of Pedro 1. The Portu-
guese made show of resistance, but the
whole affair was accomplished without
bloodshed, to the general satisfaction OF
all parties.
To sum up the subsequent history of
the Brazilian throne, it is sufficient to
say that the first Emperor, on account of
lis unwilllngness to grant the people q
liberal constitution, was obliged to abdl-
cate in 1881. Like the father, he took
refuge in the home of his ancestors. At
that time the present Emperor was a
child. The empire was accordingly gov
erned by regency. until the year 1910,
when Dom Pedro H., although only tf
teen years of age, assumed the supreme
power.
Upon the abdicatlon of Dom Pedro L,
the constitution was altered to more re-
publican form. The power of the En-
peror WAS limited, for although he holds
higher title, and receives salary fifteen
times larger than that ofthe President of
the United States, yet his prerogative is
less in many respects. The veto power
amounts to very lite. If an enactment
passes both Houses, he has right to
withheld his sanction at first. 1t is then
sent back to them, and if they pass 1t
again, even by no greater majority than
before, it becomes a law.-Captan Cod
man, IN the GALAXY for June.