The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-11-21
Republic Of Brazil.

bTdZllt
The only monarchy on the Western
continent has been overthrown by
peaceful revolution. so far as is known,
and a Republic declared in Brazil. Dom
Pedro, now GA years old. and i'll declin-
ing health was one of the most liberal
and enlightened rulers of the times. For
forty years he has presided over the des-
TIMES of 100000 people with wonder
full sagacity, liberality and enlightened
TO .ecast. 1t has been but a twelve
months since an edict was issued elnan-
cipating the slaves of the empire, with
out compensation to the owners. and
abolishing the institution. This may
have been a potent cause of the down
fall of the dynasty. The slave-owners
and aristocrats were astOunded when the
proclamation was issued, us it antic
ipated the time when the slaves were to
be manumtted 1t caused widespread
complaint and great loss to the planters.
The army uniting with the dissatisfied,
and awaiting of the failing health Of
and a Republic declared.
This result had IL cause, in the nature
of things. The influences emanating
from this country and the sister Repub-
lies of the Western continent were too
powerful for the one remaining mon
archy to withstand. The forces which
underlie popular institutions, are con-
stantly resSing-working imper"ep-
tibly by precept and eXample-and it
was not reasonable to suppose that Bra
/ I'll would long remain isolated in her
/ political system, and proof against the
/ current that is now swelling throughout
/ the world.
/ 1t is not apprehended that any great
I disturbance of commerce will occur 1t
is from Brazil that the larger portion of
our coffee and rubber supplies are got
ten. But as the ports will not be closed,
nor the labor of that country much dis
turhed or deranged, 1t is not feared any
great increase III the price OF those artl-
cles will follow. The coffee crop of
1889 is short, and that may cause a
slight advance in prices, but unless fac
tions shall arise and armed conflicts Oc-
eur, the normal conditions of trade Will
be maintained.
While all civilized governments will
regret the dethronement of SO wise
and liberal a prince as Dom Pedro Ii,
yet it may he that it occurred at an OPP
perfume time. His daughter, Isabelle, is
heir to the throne, and is very unpopu-
lar. Had the Emperor died and the
daughter mounted the throne, 1t might
have been the signal for bloody reyo-
luton, instead of the peaceful event
that is announced.
Later advices confirm the revolution,
and also inform us of the departure OF
Dom Pedro from Brazil The Republic
has been declared under the name of the
United States of Brazil and a Provision
al government instituted, until more
formal action is taken. The Emperor
was given twenty-four hours to leave the
country he has so wisely ruled. and al
lowed $500. 600 in cash, and an annual
allowance for himself and the royal
family of $450,000. 1t is said all the
provinces except Bahia have declared
for the Republic, but 1t must be remem
bered that the new regime have control
of the telegraph and all other communi
cations and the accounts come through
channels all friendly to the revolution
1t is not reasonable to conclude that d
Prince of so many virtues-a ruler so hn-
name. wise and successful. and char
acter so universally admired, would have
no friends in his native land. When the
true facts are gotten at, it will be found
that Dom Pedro has the people with
him. and that few ambitious men. hay
ing barganed with the military, have
seized the government, when such a
movement was not thought of either by
the Emperor or the mass of his subjects
1t may not be that the Emperor him
self will inaugurate a counter move
lnent. but we veatnre the prediction
that a counter revolution will come and
the so called Republic be swept out OF
power. The people there. in the first
place, are not qualified to maintain a
Republic In the second place they do
not want one 1t is the merest stuff to
assume that such radical change could
have been effected, and the forms,
usages and traditions Of century abol-
ished and torn up by the roots almost in
the twinkling of an eye. The gentle
rule of the Emperor imposed no hard
ships was fruitful of no oppression,
but was the exemplilication of kind
ness, generosity. wisdom and deep con-
Germ for the welfare of the people. and
the people have not forgotten and will
not forget it. Brazil will be torn by
revolution within twelve months and
the Republic nyerthroWn, is the soll-
ton we give to the problem there.
How hey Voted.