The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-19
T q g S]ailr Atgns,
CONTINUED from second page. J

of Portugal to Brazil was such as to pro-
woke a revolution. Dom Pedro. himself
indignant at the measures of the mother
country, took the lead of the revolt and
proclaimed as its watchword. "independ-
ence or death.
The empire was established in 1922, and
Pedro was crowned Emperor. Three years
later the empire was recognized by Portu
gal. The new sovereign for a time was
popular and energetic But after reign
of nine years the difficulties of his govern
ment increased to such degree that he
resolved on abdication. He coCfded the
government to regency, and his son Dom
Pedro. then child of 5. was proclaimed
emperor. He it is who now, in the full
prime of life, is about to visit US. The
first Dom Pedro returned to Portugal, con-
fiding the guardianship of the boy sovereign
to Don Jose de Andrada, statesman of
tried experience and probity, who had been
the first prime minister of independent
Brazil.
The country was so wretchedly govern
ed by the regency that civil connections
broke out. and the conflicts of factions
waxed so fierce that the existence of the
empire was endangered. Then u party
arose, got possession of power, and when
the young emperor was Is, proclaimei his
majority and fully established his author
lty. The result proved the wisdom of
this action. Though SO young, Dom
Pedro displayed remarkable intelligence,
energy and tact Within a short time of
his assumption of the full power, order
was restored, and Brazil started out
upon that career of prosperity and growth
which has scarcely been interrupted since.
Wise 10 the choice of his advisers, sincerely
anxious to promote not only the interests,
but the liberties of his subjects, familiar by
study with the history and art of govern
ment, laborious and painstaking in his
political tasks. Dom Pedro, before bis
twenty first year, had fully proved his
unusual capacity to rule his difficult
empire. His career as ruler since has
been in keeping with his early success. He
has done everything for Brazil, preserving
the free constitutional character of it's gov.
ernment. welcoming every judicious re-
form and energetically carrying it into
practical results, jealousy promoting the
education as we'll as the material well-being
Of his people, and in all respect proving a
model sovereign.
Dom Pedro is q scholar as we'll as an
Emperor He is good chemist and Il
coed engineer He has the best library in
Brazil and what is more, he sedulosiy
reads the books that have place on its
shelves Familiar with several languages.
he is especially fond of reading the English
aud American poets and essayists. OF
poets, Longiellov is his favorite; and
more than ohce he has sent III essages OF
affection and admiration to the most
eminent of our bards. The American
books that he values most are Webster
Dictionary, Hawthornc's stories, and
I4ongfellow' poems, With Whittier, too,
and Irving and Prescott, he has an init,
mate acquaintance. When Agassiz arrived
in Brazil to explore the Amazon in search
of scientific illustrations, he was welcomed
by the Emperor with open arms 10
visiting this country, Dom Pedro. it may
be taken for granted, is rather actuated b.
desire to observe and study our character
and institutions asa people, thar by the
am bitten to receive the homage and
lionizing which are regarded as the due OF
royal guests We shall have an Imperial
'chiel among Us, takin notes." and it is
to he hoped that he will derive from hi:
tour such knowledge as will not only con
firm his present respect for this country
but will also aid him yet more intelligentlS
70 govern his own.