Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-24
The Brazilian Revolt.


any one who has kept up with the history
OF South America during comparatively
late years. As a rule South American
republicnnism r. synonymous with an
archy. Paraguay. though frequently tht
prey OF outside enemies, has pretty gene
rally enjoyed internal tranquility. and
| Chile, until her recent terrible civil war
got along very well; but for the rest a
reign OF law and order in a republic on
the lower half OF the hemisphere has
been IAN occasional or semi-occasionar'
incident. IL would seem that when the
| South American Sons OF Liberty are not
engaged In cutting one another's threats
for q principle they resort TO the operation
for pastime.
Brazil was the last State TO join the
sisterhood OF South American republics
but since her initiation she has lost no
time In her efforts to make a record
that woul1 entitle her to all the privi-
leges and inmunltles OF the order. As re-
publlcs down in that quarter OF the globe
20, she ought 10 be considered in good
standing.
In 1859 the Emperor, Dom Pedro, was
driven into exile, q republic was pro-
claimed, and da Fonseca, a military
conspirator, was made President. Since
then the country has been almost continu-
ally in turmoil. Hardly month has
passed in which Brazil has not had on
hand a revolt revolution. or insurrection
Of greater or less magnitude. If an up
rising against the general government
was not in progress it might be set
down as certain that the Governor OF
some one OF the States comprising the
republic was In imminent danger or be-
ing deposed by the populace. President
da Fonseca surrounded himself with
coterie of depraved and rapaciOus poll
tlcians and military despots of which he
was the arch-type. and was hardly warm
in his seat before he became dictator.
As result of his arbitrary methods,
and after getting things into thoroughly
chaotic condition, he was compelled In
November, 1891, to abdlcate He made
hard fight. but the navy and two thirds
OF the army were behind the revolution
airy junta who opposed him, and there
was no other course TO pursue.
Peixotto succeeded TO the presidency
and made such fair promises that in
the outbreak in Rio Of January, 1892,
when the da Fonseca faction demanded
the latter's restoration, the army and
navy took sides with the government,
and in April Of that year PeiXotto was
able 10 suppress another da Fonseca
demonstration. But It appears that in
substituting Peixotto for the first Presi-
dent the people "swapped the devil for a
witch" Under PeixOtto a new crop Of
intriguers and oppressors sprung up, and
matters went from bad to worse until
the present crisis developed.
What Admiral de Melios, the leader Of
the last revolt and his supporters have
in view beyond oyerturning the existing
government has not yet been made clear
by any definite announcement of their
own. There Is a rumOr, however, TO
which some weight is attached that their
ultimate object is the re-establishment OF
the empire. Admiral de Mellos was a
warm personal friend Of the late Dom
Pedro, and when the old Emperor was
driven from power 1t was a serious ques-
ton whether the navy, which appears TO
be the main dependence Of the De Mel |
los revolution would sustain the repub-
llcan movement. Undoubtedly the Admi- |
raj might do worse for Brazil than bring |
the government back so a mOnarchical |
no
disposed to follow as a ruler IN the |
footsteps OF Dom Pedro. The reign OF
Dom Pedro represented about as mild a
form OF monarchy as could well be |
imagined. 1t was Infinitely more republ- |
can In spirit than the administration Of |
either da Fonseca or Peixotto. and I'm |
exchanging 1t for so-callel self-govern- |
ment It is difficult TO see what Brazil |
gained except utter Generalization OF |
trade and commerce, an enormous in
crease of financial burdens. and chronic
turbulence. In truth. the whole Brazil
ian republican experiment has been
upon republican institutions and
another demonstration Of the racial
In the way Of self-govern-
ment In South America. Dom Pedro said
years ago that when the country was
ripe for a republic he would not stand
in the way OF 1t. but none knew better
than he did that II would be long time
before that hour came. Pity tits, there
fore. that he did not have the courage
nerve and ambition TO throttle intrigue
and conspiracy when they first asserted
themselves and make a determined fight
for The perpetuation Of his dynasty. Had
this been the case, he might have saved
his people from multitude OF woes and
the way for the attainment OF
a true republic