New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-12
TILE CRISIS ~ BRIZIL.

Admiral Nollo's rights rs Il bcigcrcnt nave
not been recognized by the United STATES "o'-
eminent. The Cleveland Administration ih'!
modify its attitude. especially as II Is propapic
that evidence can he supplied tending to snow
tha, the insurgcnt cause has the support OF the
rc,ctionory factions in Brazil who favor the
restoration Of monarchy. If we may Judge
from what has happened in Hawaii. the Tres
idcnt and his Secretary of state are not uhwii
Ing 70 render assistance to kings and princcSses
who are temporarily out OF employment VI
under a cloud so that it is possible That Al
miral Mellos demands may be hohored WHICH
his credentials rs Il monarohist ar" criucaiiy
examined But ut present the Washington
Government is unfricndly to his prctensions
II has suspended the Admiral of the American
SQUADRON in Rio for salutlng the ihsurG'ht
navy. and has not ntcrposcd any opposition
70 the fitting ont of fleet in this harbor FOR
President PciXOtO
The Tribune has not hcSitatcd 10 express ap-
proval Of the Administrations policy in deal
inc with the Brazilian complications. Admiral
Ncllo entirely apart from the question OF re-
oction,ry jnirgies in favor of the restoration
Of monarchy. is not supported by either house
Court He is a naval officer in revolt against
a constitutional Government. and can nave no
moral claim 10 recognition as pcils'''"''
President Pcixoto vetoed measure when III"
passed both branches Of Congress: but when
he did so he exercised his constitutional rights
precisely as many American Presidents nave
done lie is the head Of the BRAZILIAN Govern
mont. de inrc and de facto. and majority i'll
ho,b houscs OF Congress ale behind him i'll his
attempt to suppress naval rcp'hoh. u"
doubtedly he has made grave mistakes III hiS
administration of public affairs; presumably liz
il a candidate for reelection ana counts upon
having the support Of the army; but these are
matters ~ which the Washington Government
* NOT called upon 10 take cognizncc. IN" IS
scntiol fact is that President Pcixoto stands Tor
constitutional government in Brazil, whereas
Admiral McllO is rebel
The army is often disturbing force in the
| Southern republics II enables presidents, die
! tators and ruling cliqucs OF military poll'ici'hS
| 10 garrison the capitals and chief cities, ana
| not infrcqucn;y TO carry elections by force ana
fraud and TO pcrpctuatc their power. ,h'lu's-
tionably military government is one OF the ciiei
| evils I'm these tropical countries especially rs II
prevents the normal development Of republican
institutions and restraints The rightful liberties
of tlr people so long as military coercion Is
employed in influencing legislation ana popular
elections democratic government will continue
| 10 be in greater or less degree failure IN trop-
| zeal America. The only practical SUBSTITUTE" Tor
| II Is the education Of the masses by which the
| moral forces Of public opinion will be formed
| and brought TO bear upon politics. Progress III
| that direction is slow and laborious, but those
| who are most thoroughly cOnvcrsant with Bra
| zil and the Spanish republics find much ground
for cncoura cement in the gradual increase OF
| intelligence and public enlightenment
| The navy. it is true, performed useful func
ton in Chill in supporting the Congressional
cause and in accomplishing the overthrow oil
| Ralmaccda Its success in that instance offers nc
warrant for the belief that politics in the South
ern republics can be purified by the constant
| intervention OF naval officers. AS an agency oi
| coercion a fleet is every whit rs vicious as an
| army Ii can never be n substitute for cnlgh
cncd public opinion, without which the best
constitutional system is worth little. The sue
cess of Admiral Mello, even If II may not in
vove the restoration Of monarchy in Brazil
will inevitably array ono arm OF the service
against the other and increase UNNECESSARILY
the difficulties Of constitutional government
The new Government when established woul1
be ut the mercy Of fleet which might menace
Rio with bombar,lmcnt nj any time
The chief things which the Southern countries
require In order 10 secure political progress arr
stability Of government. construction Of rail
ways and popular education. The United Saic
| 4. mi nj ste Iircctlv fo only
Of these objects. 1t can neither build railway
nor open schools, but it can lend moral sup
port wherever and whenever the conditions
allow il TO do so, TO existing Governments, ant
in that way tend 10 rcpress rcvolutionar.
outbreaks and political anarchy. That is tn
plain duty Of the Cleveland Administration il
the present Brazilian crisis.