The Lake County star., 1876-06-08
The Royal Line OF Brazlland Portugal.

In interesting article ON " Brazil
aud her Emperor" by Captain John
Goldman, in the GALAXY for June we find
the following: 1t is nearly four CEN
turies since Brazil was discovered, and
although now independent of Portugal,
it has always been governed by the same
royal family. For period of its early
history the occupation of some of its
seaport towns was disputed by the
French but they were finally driven
Off and the country was ever afterward
governed as a viceroyalty of Portugal,
until in 1907 the two countries singularly
changed relations, Brazil becoming the
seat of government.
Portugal tcmporized to no purpose
with Napoleon, having yielded to his
pretensions until warned Of the futility
of such measures by the example of the
unsuccessful servillty of Spain. Then the
royal family of Braganza took step
which astonished all Europe. Itwas re-
garded as cowardly, but in their helpless
condition it was certainly polite.
1t was in order to save bl0odshed, and
with the hope that the invader would
spare his subjects in consequence Of his
own unqualified submission, that Dom
Joao, after counseling his afflicted
people-who desired to detain him, and
would have maintained his rights at all
hazards-to obey Napoleon implicitly,
embarked in haste with his family. He
babe adieu to the thousands who had
assembled to witness the sad spectacle,
and left bis native shores to seek a refuge
in this distant colony. Thus the loss 70
Portugal proved gain to Brazil. She
assumed the first rank, and after the
general peace of Europe still maintained
it, the sovereign preierring to remain,
and to govern the old country with a
delegated power for some. years.
In 1921 King Joao vi had become
disgusted with The new world, and his
enemy, Napoleon, having no longer
possession of Portugal, he returned 70 his
home, leaving his son Pedro to govern
Brazil as viceroy. But the Brazilians
having once assumed the first rank,
were naturally unwilling to be super
seded again by Portugal. Accordingly
in the following year they declared their
independence, Installing the viceroy as
Emperor, with the title of Pedro j. The
Portuguese made a show of resistance
but the whole affair was accomplished
without bloodshed, TO the general salts.
faction 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 his
unwillingness to grant the people q
liberal constitution was obliged to abdi
cate in 1881. Like his father, he took
refuge in the home of his ancestors. Al
that time the present Emperor was d
child. The empire was accordingly
governed by regency until the year
lS40, when Dom Pedro III, although
only fifteen years of age, assumed the
supreme power.
Upon the abdication of Dom Pedro l.
the constitution was altered to more
republican form. The power of the
Emperor was limited, for although he
holds higher title, and receives salary
fifteen times larger than that OF tho
President Of tho United States, yet hi,
prcrogativc is less in many respects. Tho
veto power amounts to very little. Ifar
enactment passes both Houses, he has q
right to withheld his sanction at first. /,
is then sent back to them, and il they
pass IL again, even 10y no greater
majority than before, il becomes a law,