Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-27

The Draxilian Situation,


there has been reaction from the
stupor into which the people were
thrown by the suddenness Of the move
ment which merged the empire into q
republic, and that they do not all take
kindly 70 the change. Tho news is In
the hands of the revolutionary govern
naent, but what comes to us, and par
ticularly the fall In the price Of ex-
{ change, shows that serious troubles exist,
and more serious are expected. The re-
port Of the fatal illness Of General
Fonseca is contradicted. A new ma
tional assembly has been called to meet
In November Of next year; and the
Brazilian minister at Washington
thinks that this Is not put too far
ahead.
Il certainly seems very distant date
for testing the will Of the people rs to
whether tho republic shall stand or fall,
but the rulers of Brazil protest that the
huge extent Of their territory and the
sparseness Of Its population make an
earlier date impractcable. Considering
the lack Of railway and telegraph lines
and the character Of the people, this
may be possible excuse; but there are
other things that the men In power will
find more difficult TO explain to the
satisfaction Of Americans. a dispatch
from Rio says that Au opposition
Journal was suspended on Tuesday,
and .nsnr sarnlliar with Brazilian
41in declare that II the same
reedom Of the press prevailed thero as
his country enjoys rascalitywould be ex-
,osed In way that would be surprising.
republic inaugurntcd by suppression
4 opposition papers does not promise
much, and the league of mutual admir-
alton, which seems to have been estab-
ished between Generals Boulangcr and
Ia Fonseca, gives a flimsy air to the
yhole business. The defense Of the post
onement of tho calling of the assembly
An argument with recoil. II so much
ina 10 needed for this political opera.
-on, 1t Is evident that a proportionate
allowance Of time must 10 made
for the appearance of manifestations
Of Indignation at tho overthrow of
the empire; and 1t may even be
suspected that people So slow Of move
ment arc not suited to self-government.
In some Of our Western states popula.
tion is as scanty and communication
almost as difficult, but they mako quick
time In matters political, and II the
people Of Brazil are to rule themselves
they must learn to catch the issues Of
the day on the fly, and must have free
and fearless press for the popular discus
sion Of political questions.
.ftt Ponnla xrhn fhnt,uhf That N Tnrn, <,f
government could bo altered with a
"presto change /" celerity, after seeing
tho Brazil revolution, will be likely to
modify their opinion before the question
IS finally settled of empire or republic
tor Brazil. The rapdity with which
the empire II put off IL sign Of the
evanescence Of the movement. There
had been heard no word Of revolt be.
fore the news came that the emperor
and empire had been shipped
sway. There had been no popular dis
fcontent demanding the change. The
latest great movement Of the empire,
the emancipation of the slaves, had
been on the liberal side. A new ma
tlonal legislature was about to meet
The men who, In that situation Of
affairs, knocked down the empire and
did 1t with tho help Of the army and
navy, without instigation or aid from
the people. are manifestly masquerad-
Ing ~ Republicans and realty are ami
mated only by hope to help themselves.
That they will be upset Is among the
very strong probabilities. The indica-
tions for Brazil are a period Of unrest,
with probable disruption of the ma
tional bond Of government for while.
The movement that has thrust upon 1t
the responsibility Of republic has been
premature. The people are not yet fit
for II.