The sun., 1889-12-28
Unfortunate Brazil.

The latest news from Brazil VIII seem de-
plorable to those who In the teeth Of proba-
bilitles have hoped that public opinion
might develop sufficient force to constrain
tho military chiefs to surrender their usurped
authority to elected representatives Of the
people. To be sure, FoNsEoA and his col
leagues have promised that Constitutional
Convention shall be held. Butzwhenp On
Nov. Is, 1880. or Just year from the day
when a lot OF military conspirators by
pronunciamiento clothed themselves with au-
tocratic powers. Meanwhile all the national
and local organs Of legislative and admins
trative authority are to remain suspended.
Instead Of the law and order which
the Brazilians formerly enjoyed, and the
larger liberty which they were told to hope
for, they are to have nothing for twelve
month but tho arbitrary fat Of irresponsible
dictators. Nor Is this the worst; for even
the judicial institutions have not escaped
the general wreck. While pretending that
their coup Getdt has been welcomed all over
the country and that the reports Of popular
discomfort have no foundation, the self-ap-
pointed rulers at Rio do Janeiro now an
nounce that all persons accused OF resistance
or disaffection to their methods Of govern
ment will be tried by military tribunal.
That Is to say, having got possession Of
power by bayonets. they mean to keep 1t by
the same means; and to that end have taken
tho traditional step toward the Inauguration
OF reign of terror.
We have seldom seen o moro lamentable
exhibition Of fdisingenuousnessa and ignorance
than is presented In the official apology for
postponing the Constitutional Convention
for almost year. Mr.. BARBozA, who just
now is permitted by the leaders Of the army
to exercise the functions OF Minister Of
Finance, says that the critics OF this delay
are not well acquainted with the geographi-
cal distractions to an early convocation of
popular assembly. Our own opinion is that
well.informed Americans are much better
acquainted with the geography and history Of
Brazil than Mr.. BARBozA. and his military
superlors are with the principles and pre-
cedents Of genuine republics. We know from
their own assertions how much time was
needed to proclaim this provisional Gov
ernment In all parts OF the country;
and no moro time would be required
to communicate orders for general cleo
ton. The pretence that the promised ex-
tension Of the suffrage compels delay is pre-
posterous. II 1t be true. as the dictators as
sort. that their authority is universally re-
cognized, it would simply be necessary to
notify the former officers of election that,
instead Of limiting the franchise by the old
property restrictions, they should allow ev-
cry one to VOTE except such as are disquali-
fed by illiteracv. 1t s not time, but an hon.
est purpose, that Is needed for the promul-
cation and enforcement Of an order Of that
kind. No less absurd is MIR. BARBozA's at
tempt to excuse his own reluctance to test
the will Of the people by pointing out that
whereas former widening of tho Brazilian
suffrage was decreed In January, 1881, it was
not carried out until December of that year.
A man who presents that fact as an ana
logue and justification for the present state
Of things must be either knave or q
fool. Between January and December,
1881. Brazil had q Constitution, national
and provincial legislatures, Ministers
responsible to the law-making power and a
regular judiciary. There was. therefore, no
reason for applying the new franchise con-
ditions before tho next general election |
should In due course take place. Now, on |
the other hand. there is the most imperative |
and urgent reason for Immediately appeal |
ing to the people. for at present Brazil has |
no Constitution, no national or local leRisla- |
cally. since tho establisment.of military trl- |
bunals. no regular courts. In other words, /
what exists ct present In Brazil is anarchy |
tempered by martial law. Curiously enough, |
on tho Same day when courts-martial were |
organized to try all persons accused or GUS
pected Of hostility to the dictators, Mr. BAR
BozA had the assurance to telegraph to
Washington that public opinion In Brazil is
satisfied"
The law-abiding and liberty-desirlnR poo
pie OF Brazil arc to bo profoundly pitied
for the shameful deception practised on
them In the name OF the republic, and for
the Rrievous calamities with which they are
threatened at the hands OF the usurpers In
the dark year to come. Suspicious In Its In
ception and it's methods. tho coup d'etat OF
Nov. l6. 1889. is now seen to bo dishonest and
dangerous In Its Intentions. What It's authors
commend to the approval of real republicans
In tho United States and Europe is military
dictatorship, conceived in fraud, founded by
violence. and only upheld by terror. The
promise that Constitutional Convention
snail bo held Q year hence 70 worth.
ha