Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-02-08
INTERESTING STATEMENTS ABOUT
BRAZIL AND THE LATE EMPEROR.

INTERESTING STATEMENTS ABOUT
BRAZIL AND THE LATE EMPEROR.
The Rio correspondent of the New York
Times is the clearest writer on Brazilian
politics who has informed the public since
the deposition of Dom Pedro. There are
force, vigor and the ear-marks of truth
about all his letters that inspire confidence
in them. According to this intelligent
writer, there has been considerable mis-
conception in this country of the character
of Dom Pedro. While We have been
justified in regarding the late Emperor as
a thoroughly good man, kind in all his re-
latlons with his people, solicitous for their
esteem, and friend of education and gen.
eral knowledge, he tells US that we are in
error in ranking the Emperor as pos
sessed of great statesmanlike qualities.
On tne contrary, The proglSeSss3 ina. Brazil
has made in the last fifteen or twenty
years is to be credited more to her legis-
lators, ministers and political sages, than
to the Emperor. For instance, he declares
that the influence of Benjamin Constant
in the army and navy has been far supe-
rior to that of any other. That such men
as Constant by their genius made the
officers and men of both branches republic
cans from principle. His influence among
the educated classes of the country has
been phenomenal, and he was in a sense
looked upon by the educated with rever-
ence. Such men as he had more to do
with the republicanizing of Brazil than
either the tolerance or the defects Of Dom
Pedro.
This republicanizing has been going on
for two decades, and the late revolu-
ton should not therefore be spoken of as
sudden or as the result of the sudden con-
viction that the monarchy was not the best
for the country. On the contrary, it was
the natural result of a long period of sober
thought among the best Of the people. As
to the Emperor, the correspondent asserts
that he has been that in name only for a
long time. Years ago he gave over the
affairs of State, and refused to assume re-
sponsibility regarding them. He gave
himself up to the savants, and these, be-
cause of the Emperor's devotion to science,
books and the arts, of all which he had a
superficial knowledge, Landed him to the
world as one of the greatest and the wisest
and best of rulers. The truth was most
of the time he was giving to philosophy,
to astronomy, to engineering, to mechan-
les. to science, research and the arts, was
taken from duty to the State. He allowed
the political character of the times to
concern him in the very least possible de-
gree. Whenever an affair of State was
presented, he generally shifted the respon-
sibility upon his ministers, and refused to
consider the question or to advise with
them upon it. A single instance of many
is given. and it is so clearly illustrative Of
what the correspondent afirms was the
general rule that we quote quite fully:
Dnrino the Paraguayan war, while Liberal
Ministry was in power, General Pelotas, VINO
was in command Of the army in Rio Grande de
Sul and the Ministry, became emorolled IN
controversy and as neither would YIELD one OF
two things had to be done-either Pelotas must
he removed or the Ministry must resign. Pelo-
fas was at the head of a considerable force and
was personally popular with the people OF Rio
Mine him and resolved to resign. The Prime
Minister went to the Emperor TO advise him OF
the situation. He was, as usual, engaged IN
some congenial study, as Louis LN used to be
amDioved in lock-making, and after hearing
what the Minister had to say directed MIN to
summon the Council OF state ana then WenI
back to his studies. -
peror. being informed, came in and briefly
stated why they had been summoned ana tolo
them that they must settle the thing among
themselves and went back 10 his laboratory OF
To his books In the absence 81 the emperor
the Prime Minister presided as President OF the
Conncil. He said 10 the Conservative members
that rather than endanger me cause OF inc IN
Pelotas and thereby running the risk OF MS re-
fusing 70 submit to the discipline, they must re,
sion. and he had requested the Emperor 10 can
q 7,onservatiye to form g new Ministry. Inc
SonseTvative members of the Council, after con-
snIfstion. declined to aceede 10 TINS. General
oelotss was a Conservative, and II they, under
the circumstances, came INTO power ln s
-a-+,e would he subject to the imputation that
t @ had taken advantage of situation brought
shoTf by a military commander who was one Of
az, 3soiiticaliy The Liberals insisted that
thew te would resign and the Conservatives stood
irm in their refusal TO take over the Govern
ment. The Emperor was sent ior ana tns STU s.
alton explained to him. He Simply sald l1a9
he was ready to do whatever his councillors qe-
a as snd as they had not decided anything ne
vtauId retire and await their decision.
The crisis was finally ayerted oy the eonsel :
.!.la,es-4T leaders agreeing to undertake the
tast ~ having General Pelotas yield to the MN.
s- Nv snnesling to him as party associates II
was very crediiable display Of patriotism on
10Th Sides and Pelotas listened to his trlenas
49, 49, anS there was an accommodation
bgousht about between the Ministry and nm,
self S TWAS perhaps one of the most critical ,.s
periods in the history OF Brazil ana SS Th t sce 1
t;i tA Experiment, the poetical trsnslation-"o