The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-14
DOM PEDRO AND BRAZIL.
The Emperor's Grave Illness and Its
Possible Political Sequences.
frOnl Va Nelg YOrk Slll.

from me Ne1c orr sun. .
WASHINGTON, May 1O.-The serious ILL
ness of Emporer Dom Pedro ii. at Milan has
led to some talk of the succession to the
throne in case of his death or abdication.
Even before the news of his grave attack
in Italy there had been persistent reports
OF his intention to resign the crown, but
these had given way to assurances that he
would return to Rio JaneirO during the
present month. Perhaps the rumor of his
intended abdication was received the more
easily from the fact that his father,
Dom Pedro l., abdicated in 1881, when the
present Emperor was only years old, thus
leaving the empire under a regency Tor
more than nine years, when Dom Pedro IL.
began to govern in person. The possibility
OF an Inherited bent to throw off the cares
OF relgnlng with the advance o. years was
increased, in the case of the present EN-
peror by his well-l1nown prediction for oc-
casional absence from his domains and his
fondness for travelling. He has now been
absent In Europe for some months, and
should considerations OF permanent and
aggravated ill-health be imperative, it
would be by no means surprising to find
INN giving up the throne. Brazil follows
Portugal III its exclusion of the Sale law,
so that females NAV occupy the
throne. The oldest child of Dom Pedro H.,
and accordingly the heiress presumptive,
Is Princess Isabel, wife of the Comte d'Eu,
who is now Princess Regent, having been
appointed to act in that capacity on the
Enperor's departure to Europe They
have three sons of whom the eldest, Prince
Pedro, as lad IL years Old, while Prince
LUZ is now 10 years Old, and Prince Anto-
MO not yet z. For u long time the Braz /
ians had accustomed themselves to look for
their future Emperor to the children OF the
sister of Princess Isabel, Princess Leopol-
dina, who was married to Prince AugusJ of
the house of Saxs-Coburg. They had many
children, while for twelve years none were
born to Princess Isabel, the elder of
Dom Peiro's daughters. The eldest
of the children of Princess Leopoldina;
Prince Pedro Augusta, was born at Rio de
Janeiro in March, 1866. while his counsin,
the heir presumpive, was not born till
more than nine years after, in October
1879. Thus for some years the former was
looked upon by Dom Pedro himself as
probably the future occupant Of his throne,
and his unusually fine presence and winning
manners, with his hearty sympathy in the
intellectual pursuits of his grandfather
made him a favorite alike with the EN-
peror and people, while since the death of
his mother he has seemed especially dear to
Dom Pedro. Perhaps, were he able to hand
the sceptre to this young Prince who, hav-
ing just passed his 22d year, is quite capable
of welding it, he would be tempted to re-
sign the cares of the throne which he has
occupied in person for nearly half a CEN
fury, exclusive of his previous reign under
guardianship, and devote himself to travel,
study, and the reparation of his health.
However, affai-G have gone on quietly
during the Princess Regents sway. One
change of Ministry has occurred, and there
have been business adversities which, how
ever, are not traceable to political causes.
I, oh 4,
statecraft on the part of Princess Isabel,
her accession to the throne as sovereign
would give Brazilian politics phase of I'M
certainty. The restoration of Dom Pedro
to health and his continuance on the throne
must be the ardent desire of BrazilianS
His reign of more than tifty-seven years,
including the period of the regency, sur
passes in length that of Queen Victoria,
and makes him senior among the sover-
eigns From the outset he attracted atten-
ton 10y his pro 5ressive ways. More than
twenty years ago he gave freedom to all the
slaves belonging to the government, thus
making en- ancipatiOn the recognized policy
OF the empire. He has the credit of draw
ing up the famous Free Birth law of
1871, which practically doomed slavery in
Brazil, and made the subsequent legislation
for its extirpation possible. This law was
adopted by the Brazilian Legislature largely
through the personal efforts of Dom Pedro,
one of whose browning claims to honor in
history will, therefore, be his leadership in
that great movement His unaffected and
even democratic ways, noticed everywhere
when he visited this country a dozen years
ago, and his ardent devotion to science,
solid learning, and useful inventions need
not be dwelt upon. During his previous ill
ness, about fifteen months ago, he was the
object or many demonstrations of affection
and respect from his people; and when his
convalescence was confirmed by his return
to public business the public Joy took the
form of addresses, balls, Serenades, and
numerous liberations of slaves, which last,
perhaps gratifed him most of all.