The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-27
COUNTER KEVoLUrloN IN BRAZIL

1t appears that the counter revolution in
Brazil was merely personal in its objects.
The revolutopists wanted to get rid of
Fonseca without molestng the Government
of which he was the chief; when he re-
signed in favor of the head of his Cabinet,
who was his closest friend, PeiXotto, the
insurgents pr0fessed themselves satisfied
and laid down their arms.
Ii is impossible at this distance to Judge
whether Their conduct was justified by the
circumstances. All Fonseea's antecedents
were IN his favor. He was reputed to be
gallant soldier, an honest man, and a sound
democrat. He had been democrat when
It WAS dangerous to be a democrat. Under
Dom Pedro's rule he had been an object OF
suspicion, and it was more than once sug-
gested that he would be better out of the
country than in it. He was so popular with
the army and the people of Rio that when
bOodless revolution overthrow the empire
all eyes turned to him as the right man to
take the helm.
But he was q soldier, nursed in camps,
and welded to military discipline Like
many soldiers whom yicissitudes of fortune
have raised 10 high civil station. he perhaps
never could get the idea that he was
administering the affairs of nation, ana
HUI itduiNE az III my III Iiic lCiu ne tuulu
not disabuse himself of the notion that le-
climate opposition was mntiny. to be dealt
with by court-martal. lie could not brook
criticism from statesmen any more than he
could have endured objections from officers
under his command. When Congressman
found fault with his measures he treated
them like an insubOrdnate regiment which
should be mustered out of the service. If
he acted thus, ami though there has been no
absolute evidence of the fact the presump-
ton is that he did, it is quite easy to under
stand how the people rose against him and
compelled him to resign.
The task he had assumed was one of over
whelming difficulty. Never was 4 State 50
torn by conflicting factions as Brazil was
when the empire was 0verthr0wn. The
planters were Infatuated by the complete
abolition OF slavery, which threatened TO
strip the coffee plantations of the labor
necessary for their cultivation. Thousands
of suddenly enfrancAised freedmen had not
quite made up their mind how 20 use their
newly acquired liberty, but we're sure that
they ought to make themselves felt in public
affairs. The late empire had number of
adhefents who were disgusted at the
cyclone which had reduced them TO nothing
ness; they were quite prepared tn give aid
aud comfort to a counter-revoutionary
movement. Among the Soldiery-whp have
always been q disturbing element-tLere
was feeling that Fonseca might have done
more for them. and purposeless grumbling
was pretty general. Finally, the ruffians
known as capeiras and capangas roamed the
streets menacingly. as men who felt that
there ought to be some lootiug, and that
they had been baked of legitimate prize
These various discordant elements, which
were agreed upon nothing else, were as one
against Fonseca and order.
The President met his foes with yigor.
BE shot down a mutilous regiment He
sent 100 rioters to penal settlement. He
exiled some of the most offensive politicians.
In order to strengthen his hand he Invested
the courts of jurisdiction over offenses
which were in any degree political in their
nature, aad ordered that the prisoners
should be tried by court-martial. And
finally. when controversy arose between
him and Congress, he dissolved the body,
leaving no authority standing in the re-
public but himself.
This seems to have furnished the NAL
contents with the pretext they sought for a
general uprising. The miners of Rio Grande
do Sui rose in quest of plumber. The mob
Of Rio de Janeiro followed the example
with the like object. Both were encouraged
by reputable men-members of Congress
and others-who discerne1 or affected to
discern purpose in the Presidents mind
to establish a military despo.ism. Fons eca
had to choose between civil war and re5ig-
nation. And like a patriot he elected the
latter. He stepped down and out. and left
his friend and chief adviser to assume his
place. Il is to be hoped that Peixotto wi
be more successful than his chief. He is
not soldier. aud perhaps he may bend
| more gracefully to political exigency than
the old warrior could.