Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-19
A GREAT EVENT IN HUMAN HISTORY


already passed the Chambers, and it will
unquestionably receive the Imperial APP
proval. We are not advised as to the de-
tails of this measure as finally adopted,
but assume that it provides for gradual
not abrupt emancipation, aud that it also
adjusts the freeing of the slaves upon a
basis of practical compensation to owners.
The mouth OF the Amazon is directly
opposite the mouth of the Congo and not
greatly distant. 1t is not surprising, there
fore, that the African was forcibly i'm
ported by the planters of Brazil, and that
slavery through commerce fastened itself
upon the nation. In 1872 England treated
with Brazil for suppression of the slave
trade, but not until 1865 was repression on
the part of the Empire exercised, and
only then under threat from Great Britain
and by her chastisement OF slavers in the
very ports of Brazil. Indeed, it is re-
corded that subsequent 10 her agreement
to suppress the slave trade the Brazilian
planters imported million of slaves.
Brazil has not escaped the progressive
sentiment of the age. The humanizing
influences that lifted the anti-slavery senti,
ment out of the rut of an ism in the
United States reached Brazil shortly after
the close of our civil war, and Liberation
became the doctrine of party fortunately
championed by the Emperor himself. Don
Pedro, now near his death, will be giver
by impartial historians an exalted place in
the worlds story for his sincere efforts in
resistance to the pro-slayery sentiment Of
the aristocratic and commercial classes Of
his nation. Nabuco credits him with
struggling for the suppression of the slave
trade from the hour he came to the throne,
in 1910. After the abolition of slavery in
the United States he made gallant at
tempt to insure the freedom of the chill
dren of slave mothers, but was met by the
bitterest opposition, that, had he not de-
scended from long line of rulers, and
have had full measure of kingly pride and
determination, and have been possessed Of
heart rich in human sympathy, would
have cowed and beaten him.
In 1871 the Rio Branco law was passed,
by which the children of slave mothers
born after September rs, 1871, should be
free at the age of 81. At the same time a
few hundred Crown slaves" were set
free, and provision was made in small
way, by tax on slaves, for buying and
hberating other bondmen. Even so little
as this would not have been accomplished
except for the courageous bearing
of Dom Pedro and the little band
of humanitarians behind him. The
sum raised up to 1885 amounted to about
$6,300,000, and with il about 10000 slaves
were emancipated at an average cost Of
S325 per head in the same periodic
years-tIe anti-slavcry sentiment so
greatly augmented that nearly 100000
slaves were freed by private emancipation,
leaving 1,l3S, 228 human beings in slavery
in Brazil in 1885
IN 1884, 50 greatly had popular SYM
patty with Dom Pedro's anti-slavery ideas
grown, two provinces, Amazonas and
Ceara, declared their slaves free, Though
Mr.. Andrews, ex-United States Consul, in
his admirable work on Brazil, records his
belief that the decree was not faithfully
carried out. In the capital city of the
Empire the abolition sentiment has long
been very active, and fairs and bazaars
and festivals have been held for years
there to swell emancipation funds-it was
In the agricultural districts where the in
fluence of the planters was most felt that
the pro-slayery feeling prevailed in largest
measure. There, too, bondage at first took
on is worst form, aud the slaves were
logged merc;lesSly, prodded with iron
pointed poles, and loaded and dashed like
beasts Of burden, and have been matreated
to date, though less and less cruelty as the
years have advanced.
The friends of emancipation were not to
be placated by the Act of 1871. Under it
and the operation of death they calculated
that the last slave would not be freed from
bondage until 1850. They redoubled
their efforts, but these were not little
hindered by the crimes of slaves against
their masters, the very agitation of the
anti-slavery cause, emboldening the slaves
TO resist the exactions of their taskmasters.
Under enlightening sentiment the con-
dition of the slaves for the last quarter of
a century has steadily improved. While
the slave trade lasted the eruelties visited
upon them were shocking, and even went
to the sacrifice of the life of the slave by
working him to death and starving and
Ill clothing him. When the "trade
ceased slaves became more valuable, and
naturally greater care was taken of them.
The anti-slavery party has consisted of
two wings in Brazil, cmancipationists and
abolitionists. The failure to strictly en-
force the emancipation provision of the
law of 1871, and the fact that that Act left
children in slavery for p years, though
recognizing the injustice of enslaving
them, and the further fact that it cut off
hope from hundreds Of thousands of adult
slaves, sent many emancipationists over
TO the ranks of the abolitionists, and to
this fact, it will probably soon be learned,
is due the passage of the Act of abolition
reported by Tuesdays dispatches. Thus
after all, the very resistance made to pro-
gress has resulted in the attainment of the
great end and purpose of The anti-slayery
agitation.
The Imperial Government was hastily
blamed for the halfway measures of the
Act of 1871, but Dom Pedro could have
accomplished then no greater reform. In
1884, however, his Ministers presented
bill freeing slaves who attain the age of
sixty, allowing no compensation to owners.
and leyying a tax of ) per cent. On all
slaves to augment the emancipation fund.
The hill wes defeated and tho f,o,-a,.,,