The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-11-12
The Rrazilian Sensation.

The Brazilian Sensation.
The demise of the Brazilian Republic
appears imminent
Its inception was pea eful, though
startling. Dom Pedro, Emperor, was
deposed, or rather, quietly yielded to
the course of events, was put aboard q
government vessel and sent to Spain, and
the republic Immediately came into ex-
istence
All this was so recent as to be within
the recollection of school children.
The career of the new government
appears TO have been successful until
recently. Though internal discussions
were constant, they were of no magnitude,
and there had never been any serious APP
parent attempt to install the old mon
archy. Prompt recognition from foreign
powers was obtained, commercial treat
les promulgated, and everything seem
ed to point to a speedy and firm inau-
guration of a purely republican form of
government.
While the peaceful transition from
monarchical to popular government is
not usual in the affairs of the world, I'm
the case of Brazil it excited no very
great comment. Dom Pedro had for
years been foremost among liberal
minded potentates. His rule had been
pacific, generous and benign He was
beloved by his sub. ects, profoundly con-
scious of their trust in him, alive to
to their interests and active in
their promotion, to surprising
degree unaffected by jealousy of his
rights and privileges as emperor, and
singularly fortunate in his choice of ad-
visers. In fact, his rule of Brazil was
monarchical more in tradition than in
reality. Of all old governments on
earth, not excepting England, his APP
preached the nearest to a popular form.
Fostored by this very Iiberality the
spirit of repub!icanism grew until 1t
could no longer remain subordinate.
With precipitation that seemed little
uncalled for, Dom Pedro was depOsed
and sent to Spain. De Fonseca was
elected President, and the new republic
launched The form of govern
ment was very similar to our
own. Turbulence marked the es-
tablishment of the Innovation, but,
as said before, no serious outbreaks oc-
CURED. Of cour g, there are those, power
full in wealth and station, who regretted
the departure of the Emperor, but they
remained discreetly and ominouSly pas
sive.
And now comes President Fonseca's
proclamation dissolving Congress and
declaring himself Dictator. The news
came with startling abruptness, and
great anxiety is felt as to the result 1t
is officially announced that the Pre- Sident
has convened the nation to elect new rep
resentatives at date to be determined
upon later. The revolution had it's origin
in row that broke out in the Legislative
Chamber. The Senate passed bill to
establish the responsibility of the Pres
ident for his different acts. This act
met Fonseca's violent disapprobation,
and he refused to accept what he termed
any such dictatiOn as to his rights and
duties from Congress He ordered the
troops under arms throughout Rio Nov
4, and this led to intense excitement
among the populace. Bands of oppo-
nents of the government, including old
Republicans and MonarchistS, assembled
and shouted out their disapprovaL Be-
tween them and this old cry many fights
took place. Riots occurred in the streets
all over the city. The troops were then
given orders to fire upon the rioters,
which they did. Many of the rioters
were killed.
Rio was now practically in a state of
siege 1t was not safe to stir out OF
DOCS Soldiers patrolled the streets
Martial law was proclaimed. AS in pre-
viOus cases a strict censorship Of the
press was established. All communica
tion by telegraph was stopped. A spirit
of revolt was manifested In the army.
When Fonseca was Informed OF this fact
he went at once to the troops and made
them stirring address, promising to
-, for CT nd To hnr
in all their rights. His words had
good effect. The unruly spirits were
completely brought around to his side,
and at the end of his address loudly
cheered him.
The chiefs of the army then requested
Fonseca to r, sumo the functions of a
dictator, saying that the emergency de-
manded it. He appeared to demur for
time, but at length gave his consent.
He the issued decree relating the
cause of disagreement between him and
Congress, and defending his position.
At the same time he declared that Con-
gress had gone so far in it's attempts to
Interfere with his prorOgatives that he
thereby dissolved it. It had no longer
any excuse for existing, he said, since it
was passing laws that were contrary to
the constitution.
The troops marched to the palace,
where President Fonseca was holding
conference with his military command
ers A conference of the Ministers was
also in progress. At 9 a. m. Fonsecas
d cree was made public. He said the
dictatorship was to last until the polit-
ical revolutions were at an end and law
makers learned to keep in progress with
repub lean ideas. A dictatorship, he
added, was the pest thing for the dis
tracted country He disclaimed any In
tention of prolonging it after peace had
been restored throughout the country.
Telegrans received from Porto Allegro,
In the State of Rio Grande de Sui. de-
clare that the authority of the dictator
is not recognized there. Allegro has
po9ulation of some 10000 inhabitants
Ri Grande de Sui is one Of the most
prosperous and independent of all the
States 1t has a population OF nearly
500. 600. The Republicans in it say that
they will not tolerate dictatorship and
are demanding armed opposition to Fon-
SEGA They say that he wishes to re-
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