The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-11-18


To those who have more regard for names
than for essentials the reported revolution
In Brszil viii be regarded as triumph for
representative government When il Is
announced that "Presisient' FoDseca has
superseded Emperor" Dom Pedro. this
class Of people win jump 10 the conclusion
that rspabiicanism has taken the place OF
monsreklrm. ana that tyranny has given
way 10 freedom.
bat 1t should be noted that Eonseca Is
merely aelf-oonstituted president There
has been no appeal TO the people. At every
recent election the government and its
measures have been most signaIly aus-
tanned b. the popular vote. Fonseca, as
commander In Minas.Geraes. she most pop
uioua province Of Brazil. was Feprimanded
for characterization. and. after The hahitual
manner of Latin American politieo,miiitary
leaders. has issued pronuneiamento and
"selzed the government"
II Is as though the army OF the United
States we're as inaubordinate and mercnrial
As the average Spanish Or South American
army. and strongly sympathized with Cor
porAl Tanner In bis late affection, and the
corporal. banking on this army sympathy.
should assume to overthrow President
Harrison's administration.
Following the dispatches. which state
that ''the former prime minister has been
arrested by Fonseca. We may imagine the
arrest Of Secretary Blaine BY seIf-prezi-
denti1ed Corporal Tanner.
And still further, 1.-The Chamber Of
Deputies teIected by the people for term
OF fsur years and equivalent 70 our House
Of Representative has been dissolved. and
the Council Of State equivalent 10 the Cab
tnetl has been abolished" The extent TO
which the Brazilian revolt is entitled to
American sympathy can be better appre-
ciated when We try TO imagine Corporal
Tanner. or ex.Prcsident Cleveland. or Mr..
Jefferson Davis, announcing the dissolution
Of Congress or the abolition of Harrison'a
Cabinet
Again: "permanency Of the Senate
viii be maintained. and ali anterior legis-
lation VIII De recognized by the new gov
ernEssnt." BE Il remembered that Brazil
Ian senator's. as well as the deputies. are
elected by the people. Their term Is for
life. or during good behavior. but the man.
ner OF choosing them. directly by popular
vote. Is more truly republican than the
mode of electing United States senator's.
But imagine a 3nnto OF dissatisfied or sedi-
tsons American citizens proelaiming to the
world, IS al as;s Of grace, that they would
Fcfrsin FROM aholishing the Senate, and
would not snnul existing laws.
II Is worth while 10 remember that this
ha&eo atssets country OF area greater than
that Of the United States, exclusive OF
AlaskA, and country with which we have
commercial relations of such magnitude as
30 make il matter of serious interest to
us that il shall enjoy peace and stable gov.
srnnena As emperor. Dom Pedro has
been is ruler for nearly city years. In
reality there has been little of the NOR
ssshicas Ia bis government except the
name. Step hy step he has urged
and induced the adoption of representative
forms OF government The most violent
opposition De has encountered has been
directed against his most liberal and pro-
gssssiye measures. His hardest and most
protracisd struggle was Tor the abolition OF
slavery. Next 20 this ia tha Intensity az
she hitter opposition Il provoked was his
scheme Cor Free public seheals. and after.
wards fee compulsory education.
II would Re . misfortune % Re deD!orea
by ell lovers Of order and progress Il such
government rs Dom pedro,s we're ac-
snasly overthrow BY aissraced politico-
military upstars. Bat when We remember
that Dem resiro's peaceful policy has die
tated ths support OF a small military essae-
lsshmsas and therefore that the army,
which IS probably Fonsecas only hacking.
nunbess lsss than ifteea thousand nen,
there seems sllEat probability that the
new government VII be ii long lara.
ton.
OF coarse al citizens q the United States
would bail with delight the establishment
q genuine Fupahlle in Brasil. To saca
en- one kAe emperor has avowed hts wilg:ag.
ness 70 give way whenever the peopss sx.
press their desire - that sgEecs. Bat 3 real
FspahAso is nes % the taste a The naalAa.
ser~konsees tyre cf patriots. IL is 3oahtfal
whssher Feaseea wuuld not sooner -seizes'
TIE prezi1sncy than be elected 20 H. Ger.
tsangy BE il ret IN favov q any pan that
nssehs rpSult in she eleessoa OF some other
thaa hlms<it.