The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-05
Tho Last of the Emperor. of Brazil.

Dom Pedro Alcantara lie Braganga,
son OF Dom Pedro I OF Brazil, succeed
cd to the throne in 1881 by the abdica-
tion OF his father, who was the eldest
son OF King Joan VI OF Portugal. Dom
Pedro ii was not quite six years old
when he asccndcd TO the throne. In
his fifteenth year he was declared OF
age and crowned, in 1910. In 1913 he
married Theresa, daughter OF Francis I,
King OF the two Sicilics. Tho Princess
Isabel, the only surviving child and his
heir apparent, is the wife OF the Count
dEu, grandson OF the late Louis Phil
ippc OF France. Early in his
career Dom Pedro showed q
studious disposition. lie was
iond nj scientific studies aud Gevoted
himself with zeal to the problem OF gov
ernment. Under his rule Brazil was
practically a republic lie often de
clarcd that when the people. desired 4
republic hc would intcrposc no objec-
ton. His admiration OF the republican
form OF government was much en-
hanced by his visit, accompanied by his
wife, to the centennial exhibition, ut
which time he received marked atten-
tions and every mark OF sincere respect.
DEpoSED AND EyILEp.
On November 10, 1889, tho startling
news was flashed over the world that
the empire OF Brazil no longer existed,
that Il republic had been DECLARED in its
stead, that the cx-cmperor and his
family had been banishcd and started
on their way to Portugal, the home oi
his fathers. Marshal dn Fanseca was
declared president, tho revolution was
complete, and not Il drop OF blood had
been spilled. The first men OF Brazil
were the leaders OF the movement, and
they had accomplished the almost
miraculous feat OF bringing to their sup
port the army, the navy and every other
essential agency without arousing the
suspicion OF the imperialists. The love
OF the people ior the old emperor in
surcd him consideratc treatment at the
hands OF the leaders. Although he was
summarilv cxiled, he was libcrally pro-
vidcd with an annual stipend out OF the
public revenues.
TIE CAUSES.
Tic drift OF sentiment in Brazil had
been towards 4 republic. This tendency,
really encouraged by Dom Pedro, was
accelerated by his daughter and her
French husband, both oi whom were
imperiaists OF pronounced type. In
the cmpcror's absence from the country
the Princess lsabe! reigncd IS regent.
The Count d Eu was at no pains to
disguise his contempt OF the Bra2ilians.
He was natural snob, and, in his eyes,
4 Brazilian evidently amounted TO very
little, and the fact that the army has
gone over TO tho rcvolutonists seems
TO have resulted from the princes
attitude. Two years before Dom Pedro's
overthrow tho princess, during Dom
Pcdro's absence from the country, freed
all the slaves OF Brazil, and took the en-
tire credit for that action. As a-mattcr
OF TACT, there was q general sentiment
throughout the limits OF the country for
the abolition OF the slaves, and they felt
that ii was not exactly just for one per-
son TO assume the entire virtue OF an
act that was made possible by them.
= WV oHlN NtiNl lhC llLtCSS uSSilIllc lllt
credit OF tho act, but through her it re-
vcrtcd TO the Catholic church. The
Pope, rs soon MS the slaves were libcr-
ated. sent his blessing to the Princess,
and bestowed upon her the golden rose,
an honor the church reserves for but
very Jew OF those whose acts it ap-
proves. 1t was sthcn that the people re-
minded the Princess that the golden
rose brought i'll luck with it, and told
her to bear in mindtliat Queen Isabella,
oiSpain, and tho Empress Josephine,
of France, had each had the same honof
bestowed on them. and that, us they,
she would be deposcd.
Since Dom Pedro's deposition and
exile his lilo in Europe has been un-
,eventful. Tho death OF his beloved
wife added to his sorrows and he fell n
prey to melancholy. His physicians
were unable TO cure his broken heart.