St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-11-17
RRAzIL,s REVOLUTION.

The queerest little scrap of history
that has been made in modern times is
that little occurrence down in Brazil,
when, without any previous warning of
a coming revolution, an empire is over
turned, the ruler virtually depOsed, and
a provisional republican government
organized: and yet it is all done so
quietly and so quickly that the inhabit-
ants Of the late empire do not yet real
ize the situation. Brazil was supposed
to be model empire, with most exem-
plary ruler. Old Dom PEDRO is diStin-
guiShed for his conservatism, intelli-
gence and progressive ideas, and his
government, which was only mon
archy in name, had all the con-
public. Local self-government IS
established i'm all the provinces, and
the general government is limited by
a constitution very similar to our own.
Brazil has most excellent system of
popular education; all religions are toll
Grated, slavery has been abolished, so
that really there is nothing for the pe0-
pie to reDel against except the sha, oT
of monarchy which is yet preserved. 1t
was only at the last general election
Dom PEDRO suggested to his subjects
that If they preferred republic to an
empire he was willing TO submit
piebiscite and abide by the result of the
popular vote. This was declined, so we
are at a loss to find valid excuse for the
revolutionary action of FoNsEcA and his
followers. 1t is true they profess TO
he dissatisfied with the course pursued
by the Princess ISABEL during her
fathers absence in Europe, in which
she undertook to hasten the processes
of emancipation. The province of
which FoNsECA was governor was one
of the largest slaveholding provinces in
the empire, as it is one of the WealthieSt
and most popuiOus, and there was prob
ably a good deal of dissatisfaction with
IsABEL's unWarTanted assumption of
power. There was also possible dread
that her marriage with member of the
house of Orleans might lead to serious
complications when she succeeded her
father on the throne. an event that is
liable to occur at any time. as the en-
perOr is old and in falling health.
But whatever the reasons for their ac-
ton, the revolutionistS certainly laid
their plans well. 1t is marvellous how
they managed to preserve such secrecy
that even the suspicious of the imperial
family were not aroused. What little
army the emperor had was won over,
and the only cabinet minister who had
the courage to dispute the right of the
rebels to assume control of the govern
ment was shot down. And this was
about all the blOOdShtd there was.
We have an idea, however, that when
old Dom PEDRO has had time to pull
himself together he will make it lively
for the revOlutiOnists. and possibly the
newly created provisional government
will pass away as quietly as ii came. The
act that the pc ople of Rio Janeiro are
not taking sides with the revOlutiOnists
is an indication that they expect the re-
public to be overthrown and the impe-
rial power re-established. The legis-
lative assembly, which convenes in a
few days, is composed of two houses
"a senate, with sixty members,
and a chamber of deputies, with
125 members. Although elected by the
people, the senators hold for lite, and
will unanimously favor a perpetuatiOn
of the empire. The members of the
chamber are elected for four years: but.
as a large number of them belong to
the aristOcracy, it is but natural that
the empire will have frIends in that
body. FoNsECA's threat to imprison
them unless they vote to recognize his
provisional government will hardly
affect their loyalty to their sovereign.
Yet loaded guns in the hands of de-
termined men, who are under the lead
ership of bold adventures, will some
times accomplish wonders in molding
public opinion.