The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-18
Rrazil,a Revolution.

The RIO Janeiro newspapers reached Now
York ON Sunday containing the first full
accounts of the revolution IN Brazil that
have been received in this country. The
revolution was a rather tame affair. The
dramatic incidents connected with it were
not OF q very startling charac er. At first
there was a refusal of regiment of sol
diers 70 obey an order OF the Minister of
Marine. The minister was shot, but not
mortally wounded. At that time there was
no intention to do anything more than to
bring about. a change in tho ministry.
Suddenly, nobody seems to know how ex-
actiy, a movement to overthrow the en-
pire and create a republic was started.
1t was successful Indeed, it does not
appear to have encountered any opposition.
The people were dazei by the rapidity with
which events occurred. and the empire was
a thing OF tho past and the rep1blic was
established bsfore they had sufficiently
recovered from their surprise TO oppose the
revolution, even il they had been disposed
to do so.
The truth is, however, that thu vast ma
jority of thom welcomed the republic. Al
though thsy had profound regard for the
emperor, Dom Pedro because of his anna
bic character, they realized that be was an
incapable ruler He meant to do right,
but he had not the will power nor the abil-
ity to enforce the laws, nor to suggest the
reforms which were so greatly needed.
Commerce was burdeaed and checked by
the governments of the provinces, which
constantly interfered With each other When
the emperor returned from his last visit to
Europe it was discovered that he was
afflicted with softening Of the brain,
and it was believed that he would SO On die,
His daughter, the Princes Isabella, was
bitterly ha el. These and other things
made the people anxious for a republic.
They believed that the country could make
no progress under the empire. When the
revolution was started, therefore, although
they were not expecting it. they placed no
obstruction in its way. The Rio Janeiro
Ne'cs, commenting upon it, said:
Dom Pedro II. has been an exceptionally
amiaole and well-meaning ruler, bat his
rule has lacked vigor and frankuess. He
has weakened the national character by the
too frequent employment of we k men TO
administer his goverament-nen VINO pre-
ferred to postpone difficulties and sIirk re-
sponsibiliJies, rather than take the risks of
defeat Desiring all for the good of his
country, he has accomplished so little thai
Brazil to-day has nearly all her great ad-
miniStratlve and economic problems still to
solve. The ba 10 Of TEN oorzng in the facs
of an emergency has run through her whole
political life, and was the prime source of
weakness whel the crisis came. We can
not find the record of one public man who
had a suggestion of vigorous resistance to
offer. The emperor has been surrounded
all bis life by sycophants and courtiers and
temporizing advisers, but when the need of
a true friend came, one with clear head
and strong hand, there was not one to be
found.
Recent dispatches from Europe say that
Dom Pedro hopes that he will be recalled to
Brazil II the news from Brazil is to be
relied upon, there is no probability that
either he or any member of his family will
be recalled. The Brazilian people have only
the kindest feeling for him, but they
don't want him back in Brazil. They know
that he was an obstruction to their
progress. They may have serious troubles
before the republic is firmly established,
but no considerable number of those who
understand what the true interests of the
country require will ever regret Dom
Pedro and the empire.