New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-07
LILLE OUTLOOK " DRILL.

Tile Brazilian Minister'S account OF The clvli
war in his country published in The North
American Review" contains a distinct state
mcnt that President PciXoto is not eligible to
reelection. Admiral Mcllo, when he raised the
signal for naval revolt on September =. 1St''
Issued a manifesto charging the President Win
violating the Constitution and specifying MS
conduct In ycioing !; bill In relation To Pr"s'-
DENTAL elections II has been generally as
sumcI that President PciXOtO. while Ii" hlu
the constitutional right TO veto the measure
acted from personal motives. since III" legisl;l-
tion WIS designed 10 render Il Nicc-PreSidcnt
who had served ms president ineligible FOR re-
election. The brazilian Minister declares that.
while the bill was unconstitutional ard the veto
constitutional the Presidents conduct WAS no;
open 10 suspicion. since his incliciblliiy was
already established and did not depend upon
th,. enactment of the vetoed measure. REFER
rims. 10 ia. brazilian Constitution, We find direct
confirmation Of the Minister'S statement i'll
Articl. NLIII. Section |: The Nicc-Prcsident
who shall fill the Presidency during the last
year Of the Presidential term shall not he
eligible 10 the Presidency for the next term of
that office"
II IS evident that Admiral Mcllo exaggerated
I'm his manifesto the importance of the veto. ana
that he and his followers instead Of attempting
- overthrow military government by naval vio-
lcnc, ought 10 have waited until the PrcSi-
dent. hy procamng himself 10 BE- Il candidate
FOR reelection. should convict himself OF uncoh'
stitutional action and expose himself To I'M
parchment. II Is also clear that In III" elections
which ar. 10 be- held next month President
PeiXoto. by withdrawing his name as can
didatc In obedience 10 the Constitution, can
restore pence 10 the distracted country. The
election Of Il new Pre>drnt-and no better can
didatc could be named than Salvador de Men
donca. the distinguished Minister 10 the United
States would open new era OF conslltutloliai
EcpublicaniSm In Brazil.
President Pcixoto has filed the prisons with
political enemies and governed iii" capital with
IN iron hand since the opening of the civil war:
but the crisis involved Il suspension of the Con
stltulon and the proclamation 81 martial law.
When Admiral Mcllo trained the Aquidabans
guns upon the city Congress authorized the
President 10 declare state OF Siege and 10 de-
fend the country against treason and revolt.
Throughout the civil war he has been the re-
sponsibl. agent Of the National Legislature
and has been supported by the States OF the
Federal Union His overthrow would impair
the stability Of existing institutions. even II II
were not followed by rcactionary attempts to
restore the Empire. On that account the speedy
collapse Of the naval revolt IL 10 be earnestly
desired by all who have the best interests OF
the new Republic ut heart Nevertheless II
would be- n grave misfortune II the defeat Of
the Insurgents were 10 be followed by President
Pcixoto's reelection In defiance Of the Consti.
tuition and by any increase in the resources OF
military government.
An insurgcnt navy with Congress and the
educated classes behind it. as in Chill during
the civil war. Is something very different from
II rebcllious fleet with Congress and all the
States against IT, rs in Brazil. Admiral McllO
while he was one of President Peixotos Min
listers approved of the removal Of Governors Of
States and of the reorganization of the Gov
eminent Of Rio Grande do Sui; and these were
the chief political blLnderS ard crimes Of the
existing Administration a Government cstab-
Ushed by him after a successful revolt against
all constituted authority in Brazil would be
tainted with suspicion. Admiral Saldanha da
CANA. with his wcll-known monarchist prefer
cnccs can offer no guarantees which the friends
of the new onlcr of political institutions will
rcsnect Either Admiral IL elected President
would be prcdisposed 80 place more dependence
upon the navy than upon the army. and thereby
TO excite jcalousics and resenimcnis among
officers. \ navy committed to policy Of re-
volt, violence and usIrpation Is not one whit
better than an army employed to coercc citizens
az the voting places. Constitutional safeguards
with public opinion behind them are nls-
pcllsable to the operation Of republican institi-
! lions: and these cannot be- established through
the lawessness Of naval officers acting In utter
disregard OF constituted authority.