Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-11-20
Sudden Revolution in Brazil.
CHANGED FROM AN EMPIRE TO REPUBLIC.

AS the Baltimore Sun says, the anoma-
lous position of Brazil among American
governments of being, nominally at least,
an empire, has been corrected, according
to recent advices from Rio Janelro, by the
proclamation of republic. A successful
revolution, supported by the Brazilian
army and navy, has displaced the Emperor
Dom Pedro II, abolished his monarchical
Office, and made Gen. da Fonseca chief
executive In his stead, with the title of
President. The movement by which these
great results were achieved was so sudden,
it appears, that the friends of the old order
of things were unprepared to make effective
resistance. The imperial ministers were
arrested and placed 10 close confinement
before they could organize opposition. One
of their number, the minister of marine,
on resisting the invasion of his official
quarters, was shot at, it is stated, by the
rebel soldiery and seriously wounded. The
rebels were prepared, it thus appears, to
use violence if necessary to effect their
purpose, but such was the popular sympa-
Thy with their cause, or the uDprepared-
ness of the imperialists, that little or no re-
sistance was encountered at the capital
The purpose, we are assured. of the
authors of the coup d'etat is to treat the
deposed Emperor with the greatest con-
sheraton. One of the first acts of the
provisional government was, accordingly,
to guarantee protection to tie members of
the imperial family. Al the moment of the
outbreak he was at bis summer palace at
Pet1opolis, twenty-five miles from Rio
Janeiro, entirely unaware of what was
going forward. What is known, however,
OF the Emperor's character, views and
general disposition justifies the belief that
bad he been informed of the project of the
revolutionists he would not have taken q
step to thwart it. Over and over be has
signifed his willingness to accept any de-
cision as to the future government of
Brazil that tie Brazilians may see fit to
make. He might, perhaps, object to the
Introduction of the republic by force, with
out eopspltation of the people, when a
constitutional and peaceable movement to
that end was perfectly practicable, but per-
sonally he is probably as good a republican,
or even democrat, as is to be found among
the voters Of bis empire. His realm,
though one of the largest on the globe, is
not of very ancient date. 1t was proclaim
ed an independent empire October 10 1922,
and the first Emperor, Dom Pedro !, was
crowned in December OF that year. Dom
Pedro II, his SOD and successor, who is go
we'll and favorably known in this country,
succeeded to the throne in April, 1881, at
the age of six, in consequence of the first
Emperor's abdcation. Of a mild and
amiable disposition, with taste for science
and travel, he cannot be said to have taken
his imperial function very seriously, or to
have added much to its prestige. He has
been absent from Brazil in quest of health
Or knowledge during great portion of his
reign, leaving affairs to his daughter
Isabella as regent. The unpopularity of
Isabella's husband, the Count d'Eu,
tributed not little to the odium into
which the monarchy has fallen. WHAT was
the immediate and efficient cause OF the
recent coup d'etat at Rio Jaueiro is
that the ministry just deposed and i'm
prisoned was 'Iiberal." 1t was opposed
by the conservatives, aided by the adyo
Gates of the republic. The latter COM
prise, it is stated, The ex Shareholders,
whose property was sacrificed by the act of
emancipation of May. 1888, to the extent
of some 1851 s21 GA. They have not OBJ
tanned the compensation to which they
think they are entitled. But it is doubtful
whether the revolution is to be ascribpd to
class so small and uuinhuential. The
general growth of sentiment on this side
the Atlantic in favor Of republican institu-
tons probably accounts sufficiently for it's
vigor and success. Its effect upon our
trade with Brazil in coffee, rubber, sugar
and hides can be estimated better when it
is known whether the revolntioDists are
going to enforce their programme without
long civil war. There will no doubt be
an immediate hardening of rates for coffee
and rubber, as we are largely dependent
upon Brazil for these articles. We have
on hand several months supply OF the
former, so that, if there is great enhance
ment Of the price of coffee this winter, it
will be largely the result of speculation
By spring the question of order will prob
ably be settled SO thoroughly that Brazilian
planters will not be interrupted in their
operations.
RoANoKE's BUILDING BooM.-The Roam