Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-23
DOM PEDRO AND BRAZIL.
The Emperor Was the Oldest Living
RuIer.

DOM PEDRO AND BRAZIL.
The Emperor Was the Oldest Living
Ruler.
Dom Pedro, deposed Emperor of Brazil,
was the Oldest living monarch in point of
service in the world, he having been de-
clared Emperor six years before Victoria
was called to the throne of Great Britain,
although he is the junior of Prince Albert's
relict by three or four years. Stormy times
rested upon Brazil from the year 1921 until
1881. In the former year dissatisfaction
against the ruling monarch Dom Joas VI,
| led to his practical abdication in favor of
his son, Dom Pedro l., the father leaving
for Portugal, to the crown of which he had
| succeeded. The popularity of Dom Pedro
| l. began to wane soon after he assembled
the throne, because of the favoritism he
| showed Portuguese residing in Brazil, and
| he, in turn, was compelled to leave his
| South American throne for Europe in 1881,
| intrusting his son, Dom Pedro II then FIVE
years old. and his three sisters 10 the tender
mercies of his subjects. Thus for fifty
eight years Dom Pedro ruled over his tickle
people, although he was not declared of
| legal age until nine years after his assump-
| ton of the title of Emperor, or in 1910,
when he was but lad of fourteen. Four
years later Dom Pedro married the sister
of the King of Naples, and their marriage
has been a peculiarly happy one. One
child, Isabel born in 1916, is the living
| fruit of their wedlock. Isabel married, and
she and her child, born in October, 1873, are
the only offspring of the couple. No
crowned person in the world afforded so
many instances of devotion to his subjects
and desire to promote their interests as
Dom Pedro. Not only did he give consent
| to and encourage movements looking to the
amelioration Of the condition of his people,
| bat in 1871 he caused to be passed law
which declared that thenceforth all chill
dren born of slaves should be free, and also
| declaring that all slaves belonging to the
State or to the imperial household should
! thenceforward be free. Slavery is now al
most extinct within Brazil.
The ex- Emperor is man of rare intel
| lectual qualities, and had he not been a
ruler of men he might have attained to no
mean reputation as an author and scholar.
Master of number of living languages,
a man of poetic temperament, and yet at
the same time of philosophic mind, he
possesses equal moral attainments. He is
model husband, fond father, patriot,
as he has understood the term. In 1876
and once since he left his country in order
| to study the manners and customs of other
peoples, in order that he might learn there
| from what would conduce to the well-being
of his own subjects. He visited California
about ten years ago. His popularity, as
that of his wife and offspring, was great
and the tidings of the trouble come as a
surprise to all who had any acquaintance
| with the condition of affairs in the leading
empire of South America.
Dom Pedros reign subsequent to 1875
when troubles of ten years continuance in
the province of Rio Grande were suppressed
was one of peace and prosperity. Be-
loved of his subjects and studying their
welfare, he was able to devote himself uu-
interruptedly to the development of
his empire. And yet the population of
Brazil is greatly mixed, there being prob
ably as many types and races as in the
Government of Austria or Turkey. Still
such was the affection his people had for
him that for forty years he was able so hold
all these varying forces well in hand. The
liberal spirit he ever displayed, with his
persistent efforts to advance his people in
every direction, makes the more extraordi-
nary the sudden uprising which has ended
his reign and introduced republican gov
eminent to the only part of South America
where monarchy had retained foothold.
In extent the territory of Brazil is nearly
as large as Europe, comprising upward of
Z. 2SS, 600 English miles. The greatest river
of the globe, the Amazon, affords, with the
tributaries, over 10000 miles of free navi-
CATION in Brazilian territory. The metallic
and mineral products Of the country are
various. Brazil has always been noted for
| its richness in diamonds and other gems,
and the fields from which they are taken
are the most extensive known. Except on
the Hottest mountains the vegetation is
luxuriant beyond description. The forests
of the country contain almost every species
of useful and ornamental wood. The va
rieties of animated life are more numer-
Gus, perhaps, than in any other region of
| the world. Brazil was discovered in 1899
bv Vincent Yanez Pincon, companion of
Columbus. He took possession of the
country in the name of the Spanish Gov
eminent but the next year the country;was
declared an appanage of Portugal by Pedro
Alvarez Cabral. The Spanish neglected
the country, and the first attempt on the
part of the Portuguese at colonization was
! the founding of hereditary captalncy IN
the province of Paulo. Considerably later
a college was established by Nebrega. The
French and Dutch both ATTEMPTED to make
settlements, but with poor success, and the
| Portuguese governed almost undisturDed.
Indirectly the fate of this isolated colony
| was decided by the French Revolution, and
Brazil is the only instance OF colony
| becoming the seat of government of the
mother country. This was brought
about by Napoleon, who induced Don
| Joas vi. to seek refuge there. The
population of Brazil is something over
| 10 600 600, and presents a number of dis
tinct types. The aboriginal Indians of the
country have TO a large extent become
| amalgamated with the settled population
hr1f in he for
| esis they remain still in savage condition.
These tribes, scattered over the vast inte-
rior. are countless, and though they may
vary in Language and CUSTOMS are all of
| the original stock, the Tupi-Guarani. The
| African negro, introduced in immense
numbers, forms large portion OF the pop
ulation. The Brazilian Creolas, who call
themselves Brazileiros, are little inferior in
| capacity. strength or intellect to the pure
race of Portuguese. An increase of popu-
| lation being necessary to the growth OF the
| country has of late years induced wonder
| ful immigration of European colonists. In
| Brazil there is no privileged .aristocracyl
| but descent from noble Portuguese families
and length Of service in the country give
rise to claims which are readily admitted.
The Roman Catholic is the established re-
ligion of the country. AL others are toll
Grated, bat must be prscticed privately.
Primary and public schools supported by
the State have been established throughout
the empire. Besides these there is second
or higher grade of schools, in which are
taught the sciences, mathematics and Ger
man, French and English. The Dom
Pedro Imperial College has faculty OF
twenty-five professors. Extensive libra
ries are attached to all the schools and col
leges. The Brazilians are IN general nos
\ rod xr-1th