New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-08
THE NEW REPUBLIC.
A REVOLT AGAINST cESIRALrzATIoN'
WHY THE BRAZILIAN REvoLUTroNIsrs WERE
SUPPORTED BY THE PRovINcEs-A TRI.
UMPH FOR HOME RULE IN THE
,-uDrn.rrN
FEDERATED STATES.

FEDERATED STATES
fFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT or TIE TRrBuxEj
ST. Thomas Nov. 29.-Ihis is enc of the chief
branch stations in the mail circuit of the West
Indies, Of which Barbadoes is the centre. News
received by nOrthern-bound steamers from Brazil
is rapidly distributed among the Windward Islands
from the main collecting point. Several steamers
leaving Rio or Para at the outbreak of the revolu-
ton have brought passengers and files of the
leading journals, and material is at hand fox
forming more accurate estimate OF that national
uprising against centralized government than was
available when / left New-York nine days ago.
Details, while still incOm pete, cOrroborate the
earliest dispatches relating to the revolution.
The revolt against the monarchy was in the first
instance the result Of coalition between the
Military Club, founded by General Fonseca, and
the associated Republican leagues, OF which
Quintino Bocayuva the chief organizer. The
Military Club discerned it's supremacy in political
affairs two years ago, when it compelled the
Emperor TO dismiss the Minister of War; and 10
recall it's leader from the remote province 10
which he had been banShed. Senior BOcayuya,
through his Republican leagues, taught the army
and naval officers how to make of their
opportunity, and to convert a military cabal into
an agency of national delivcrance from central.
lied despotisn The club and the leagues united
in bloodless revolution The Government was
overthrown the Emperor was discharged from
the service of the State, and Provisional Cow
ernment, with the leader of the Military Club
at its head, and with Senior Bocayuva and his
chief associates Of the League in the great De-
partments was established. Tie coalition was
irresistible because it brought the only available
military resources of the Empire under the con-
Of otr1ar ~, ,,nIf ffnaI
order.
AN ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT or PRE-
ARRANGED PLAN.
The revolution was the work of leaders who
were not only conscious of their power, but also
confident that the nation would inevitably cou-
done their temporary acts of usurpaton. There
were no signs of weakness, vacillation or uncer.
tainty in their action The leaders had deter
mined in advance what they would do, and how
far they would go in the direction of democratic
republic. The Emperor was pensioned of and
shipped to Portugal with the least possible delay.
Immediate steps were taken TO prevent financial
panic by proclaiming inviolabllty and continuity
of Government contracts The provinces were
reassured by pledges that they should have under
the Republic, what they had never had under the
Empire, complete autonomy IN local adminlstra-
ton, as well as legislation. The ground was
cleared by the abolition of the Senate and Council
of State and the dissolution of the Chamber OF
Deputies elected in August. Universal suffrage
was proclaimed These supreme acts following IN
rapid succession betol1ened an orderly develop.
ment of a prearranged plan and a resolute de-
termination on the part OF the leaders TO command
popular confidence and respect. The ship had
been suddenly remodelled and reoiicered, but 10
had not been turned adrft at the mercy OF wind
and tide. Those in command knew their course
and followed it without fnching. Universal
suffrage was plunge in the dark, but they took 10
without hesitation or fear. From the outset they
have acted like men who have deliberately cal
culated the chances and forecast the consequences
of revolution, and are inspired with a feeling Of
confidence that the nation is with them. So far
as the future trend of events in Brazil can be
dscerned their confidence is justified.
coalition of the army officers and the constitu-
tion-makers and political dreamers OF the League
would have been impractcabe if the leaders had not
known that the twenty provinces of the Empire
were profoundly disafected and would readily
acauesce in a radical change of government
This fact lies at the base of any adequate eApla-
nation of the revolution in Brazil. The Military
Club was a power in the capital; the republican
organizers had made remarkable progress IN the
more enlightened and enterprising provinces like
San Paulo; but the revolutionists would not have
Joined hands if signs of revolt against despotic
system of centralized administration had not been
in the sky in every quarter Of the Empire, 1t Is
in this direction that every Brazilian whom have
met in the West Indies unerringly points wher
asked to explain the chief cause of revolution
that has seemed inexplicable TO Americans.
DOM PEDRO NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL REFoRMER-
The Emperor of Brazil has enjoyed the reputa-
ton of being one of the most enlightened and pro-
gressive sovereigns Of his time. TO large ex-
tent he has earned all the compliments layishly
bestowed upon him by euogists and admirers in
republican America. He placed himself at tho
head Of a national movement for effecting emanci-
patton was mainly instrumental in introducing
railways, telegraphs and public works in his I'm.
pire, and in many ways displayed wisdom and
gacity in directing the progressive tendencies Of
his subjects. He was ruler with many fascinat-
ing and estimabe traits, who endeared himself
TO his people This and much more may be said
in praise of the deposed and banished Emperor:
but when the record of his public services and OF
his private virtues Is complete, the
fact remains that he stood for
system of Capitalization that practically de-
prived the great series of federated provinces OF
their autonomy and his subjects of the privi-
leges Of self-government. Dom Pedro III was not
constitutional reformer. The charter which he
had received from his father was not modified ID
any essential respect during his long reign. II
was charter under which his father, after es-
tabliShing the independence of Brazil had sought
to create despotism. The father went into
exile after ten years struggle against the as2ira.
tions of the provinces for home rule The son
has followed him into banishment, after long
reign. during which the same tendencies Oh 'ns
federated provinces have been systemsticany 10
pressed and cOunteracted.
The evils of the highly centraiized au"u, a,,N =.
ton known under the Empire may readily M %
;,"stratoI Tu a Rail comprises area greater BY
.har that of the United States.
IVo'ooo nleS ouoitted in the comparison This
~ass is divided into twenty mscs .,