New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-17
THE REVOLUTION IN BRAZIL.

THE REBOL LIION ~ DhdEi'"
II is TO American ears a strange and incom-
nrebersible announcement that an Emperor de-
creed Characterization. and was Therefore deposed
and 2 republic established by the aid of those
who favored slavery. Yet it is not the expert
ence of mankind that the forms OF free govern
mept have never been used by those who de-
sired to enslave felow-men. The greatest le-
bellion and civil war Of human history resulted
from the anxiety of Shareholders to preserve
human slavery and they hoped to keep alive
their peculiar institution through the forms
of popular government. When serfdom was
abolished in Russia those who were hostile to
the DEGREES of the Car did not conspire to sub
stitute one absolute monarch for another, but to
set up some foim of freedom. The foes OF
freedom have always been cunning enough TO
realize that at least pretence of Sef-govern-
ment for part Of the population was neces-
sary in order to fortify the odious fact of human
bondage against the assaults of human instincts
and human justice.
But it does not yet appear how far the recent
slave owners in Brazil have given form or force
to the revolutionary movement OF when Dflel
kilograms give information. The report tnat
the revolutionists favor a republic may Only
mean that they desire TO get rid OF the strong
personal influence of the ruling family, and
especially of the aged Emperor who has been
the real head of all progressive movements IN
Brazil and the most liberal leader of the Liberal
party. But the final act of emancipation last
year has brought great industrial misfortunes
upon many of the former owners, whose claims
for compensation were refused by the Chamber
A.
help them through by means Of considerable
Government loan does not seem to have come IN
time to prevent irrepaIable disaster to great
many As the original Act Of Emancipation
provided for compensation, the refusal as to the
remaining half million slaves who were set free
last year was felt all the more keenly.
The DISCRIMINATION of labor has not been as
great as the former masters anticipated and
vet it has teen felt in almost every part OF the
civilized world. The partial failure OF last
years coffee crop and the rise to unusual
prices have forced consumers in this and other
countries to pay indirectly part of the expenses
of emancipatiOn While a large part OF the
former slaves continued work without disturb
ance, another portion left the plantations for
nomadic life Of partial or total idleneSs, or
crowded into towns in search for employment
there by the day. The scarcity of labor has led
to large immigration from Europe, and it is
not an encouraging feature that out of / 80, 600
immigrants at the ports of Rio and Santos in
1888 about IL 5, coo are said to have been from
Italy alone.
Apprehensions of serious consequences to the
commerce of this and other nations are likely
to be much exaggerated The single fact that
the army supports revolutionary movement.
and is in full control, makes it clear that the
ports are not likely to be bockaded nor is it
probable that the chief lines of transportation
will be interrupted Indeed. it must be to ali
! parties and factions matter of anxiety that the
marketing of the coffee crop, just now about
| to begin. should be interrupted as little as pos
sibe, and against an army in possession OF the
centres and avenues of trade resistance can
hardly be speedily organized As to the rubber
| supply that is likely to be even less affected.
1t comes mainly through Para. at the mouth OF
the Amazon. vast distance from Rio Janeiro,
where the revolution has taken place. If the
popular feeling supports the change of govern
mcnt there my be no serious disturbance OF
trade in the distant northern provinces. If the
popular feeling in them opposes the revolution
it will take considerable time for the new rulers
to establish and consolidate their power in the
south before attempting to reduce to subsection
the region Of the Amazon, more than 800
miles away. 1t seems at first blush more prob
able that the military authority will be able,
with little difficulty or resistance for the pres
ent, at least, to effect such changes in govern
ment as it may desire. so that the foreign trade
of the country may not he greatly interrupted.