The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-11-23
A Revolution in Brazil.

The most unexpected and perhaps the most
peaceful revolution ever known was that that
transformed Brazil from monarchy to re-
public, on Friday of last week. 1t was not
preceded by any outbreak or by any vigorous
agitation, and none were more unprepared
for the news of Dom Pedro's dethronement
than were the coffee merchants OF Baltimore
New York and London, who have branch
houses in Rio Janeiro and who have almost
daily communication with those houses.
Emperor Dom Pedro and his ministry Of
fered no resistance. They were quietly
arrested in order that they could not protest
or organize force to meet the revoluhonlsts
Their arrest was their first intimation OF the
designs of those who conspired for their over
throw, and the revolutionary leaders proceed
ed with great secresy, prudence and precau-
ton.
The people of Brazil have been gradually
drifting toward a republic for some years, and
the peaceful revolution is thus accounted Tor.
An around them are republics BrazllIans
had noted the progress, enterprise, freedom
and happiness Of ueighboring states, and they
longed for government by the people with
greater freedom, and the removal of caste,
privileged classes and titles.
Dom Pedro was one of the least obiectonal
of monarchs. He was liberal, progressive,
and well liked by his subjects, and had de-
elared. seeing the drift of sentiment toward
republican form Of government that he was
ready at any time to abdicate whenever the
neople desired to change their form of gov
eminent. He is now nearing seventy and IN
the usual nature of things would not live many
more years His daughter, who Is married
10 a French nobleman, would be his success
sor. The Emperor has spent much time
travelling in Europe the past few years, and
his daughter has governed in his absence
MANY of her acts, no doubt prompted by her
husband. have been distastetul to Brazitians,
one of which was the emancipation OF slaves,
without the promised payment for them.
Knowing Dom Pedro willingness to abdicate,
and fearing the rule Of bis daughter, prompted
nv her French husband, who was already
distasteful to the people, the leading advocates
of a republic concluded the time was ripe for
a change.
With the change TO a republic IN Brazil,
every South American state is a republic and
the whole western continent now, except the
British possessions to the north Of US, is gov
erned by the people of the respective coun-
tries. The example Of the American colonies
in 1776 has been followed successfully by
other peoples of this continent, aud about
half Of the globe has adopted republican
form of government.
Brazil, the last to change from monarchy
to a republic, is the largest and most power
ful government Of South America. It's area
comprises nearly half of the population. It,
area is nearly equal to that Of the United
States-greater, with Alaska eliminated. It
has twenty provinces. and these will now be
erected into states, similar to our states, with
separate local governments.
The government Of Brazil was limited
monarchy. The constitution Of 1924 estab-
liseed four powers, legislative, executive,
judicial aud moderating or royal prerogailye.
The legislature consisted of two houses,
Senate and Congress. Senators were elected
for life and Congressman for four years. The
executive power was vested in the Emperor,
assisted by his ministers and council OF
state. Brazil derived from Portugal the prin-
ciples of hereditary succession to the crown,
which excludes the Sale law, and allows
females to occupy the throne. This IS why
Portugal was affected by the revolution, and
press dispatches indicate that Portugal Will
be the next to fall into the line Of republics.
Dom Pedro and family sailed for Europe
last Monday. On Sunday he sent eommu-
nicatian 10 the new government, IN which he
said he resolved to submit to the command OF
circumstances and quit the country, bat would
0always have kindly remembrance Of Brazil
and hopes for its prosperity.