National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-06-25


Emancipation In Brazil.
In recent years the abolition of slavery In
Brazil has been a most serious question to
the government and people Of that country |
II has commanded the earnest attention Of |
statesmen, philanthropists, and business
men, who have earnestly sought solution
Of one OF the most complex problems Of the
0gc-howt to free the country from the great
incubus and, at the same time, avoid the
calamitles that have bcfallen other nations
which, like Brazil, were formerly afflicted
with this evil.
AS far back as 1871 law was enacted
looking TO the ultimate extinction of slavery.
Since that time no slave has been born in
Brazil And from that date, thanks to the
liberal and wise provisions of the law,
emancipation has been progressing rapidly
throughout the country, both by private
and public manumissons. It IS a source
OF satisfaction to be able TO state that
IN two provinces, Ceara and Amazonas,
slavery has already been completely abol-
ished, and that their example is being fol.
lowed by some Of the other provinces with
great enthusiasm.
Recently new cabinet was formed
under the presidency of Senior Saraiva rs
premier and minister Of finance, unques-
tionably the leading statesman OF the en-
pire. The emperor's choice could not
lave been wiser or more fortunate under
the circumstances. Senior Saraiva, in re-
sponse to Dom Pedro's wish, and giving
due expression to the public sentiment,
lost no time in introducing a bill for the
gradual extinction Of slavery.
The great prestige of the present prime
minister among his own party, as well as
the respect and admiration his personal
qualities and excellent craftsmanship
proven on previous occasions, command
among his political opponents and in the
country at large, warrant the success OF
lis programme, and lead to the hope that
the bill will become a law during the
present session of parliament. The leading
provisions Of bill are
A new registration OF ell slaves under 60
| yenrs, With declaration of value not exceeding
| 1000 milres for males under % years, 800 be-
| tween 90 and 30, 600 from 30 to 10, 100 from 10
TO 80 and 200 from 80 to 60; females to be
| twenty-five per cent. less Slaves Of 60 and up.
ward will be considered free. and all attaining
| 90 will, ipso tact0, become free, but thoy will
| have to serve three years, not, however, be-
| yond G5 years. For liberations the declared
values will be reduced six per cent every
year, but no compensation will be due for dis.
abled slaves, and the former owners will have
10 maintain them and all innrm freedmen of
| 20 and over Freedmen must remain for five
years in their county and must have Gu o3cu.
patton, under penalty Of imprisonment and of
| heing sent TO m Hilary colony. Slaves removed
| rom their province, unless when their owner
changes his domicilc, become ipso .flc.o free.
| To increase government cmancipOtions n sur
tax oihve per cent on all national taxes cxccp.
the export ones viii be levied annually Gul
added 10 other emaucipntory revenue, and IS
calculated TO yield about five millions of mil
refs In addition an annual issue of five mill
ions of five per cent bonds, whose interest
will he paid ont of above surtnX, will be made
and applied to emnnCipGtions. The omancpa
tion fund, from nil sources, will be divided
into three purts-one TO be applied rs at pros
cnt; another, consisting Of the surtax, TO the
oldest and cheapest slaves, and the bonds pref
cTably TO the liberation of the slaves OF plant
crs who will abolish slavery on their planta
tions, freeing their slaves for not over five
years service and giving keep and wages, in
which case half the price of their slaves will be
given in bonds as compensation.
1t will be seen that the bill includes some
remarkable features, intended to do away
entirely with slavery in seven years, at most
and changing the condition of the slave int
that Of free man. 1t allows, in the mean
time the faIs,,Or of tho slaves the
time and means to prepare for the change
so as to bear the transfer from slave TO fret
labor without any rude shock that might b,
destructive alike Of individual and nationa
prosperity.
There will he no ruin Of property, no de
rangement OF social order; all will bt
effected quietly, and Brazil will have
achieved the most benc1cont OF all possible
reforms In manner contrasting most hap
PLY with the experience Of our own coun
try or Of any other nation that has wlpet
out the institution Of human slavery.
The empire Of Dom Pedro Is a great aut
good country, with which we should cult
vate the most intimate relations.
|