The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-14

ure, and sailed proudly wherever II chose.
without meeting an enemy who dared to
offer battle.
Itwssin November that Admiral DA CANA.
the most famous commander In the Brazilian
navy. who had stood neutral up 10 that
time. declared for the revolt, and took the
place Of MEbbo az commander Of the fleet.
His desertion OF bis post under the Gov
eminent greatly strengthened the opinion
which had previously been widely preva-
lent, that the revolt must terminate In
revolution. within three days after he
took the leadership he made the rulnous
blunder Of declaring that the revolu-
tlon would terminate in the empire. Since
that time tho insurgent feet has done
nothing to advance the revolt: It's
operations have been homeopathic
IL has met with several reverses; II has
suffered from desertlons; its blockade OF
the port OF Rio has been broken up. and Its
insolence has been checked by Admiral
BESHAM Of the American navy. When. on
Sunday last. the President Of Brazil notl-
fed the representatives OF foreign powers
that he would open the attack upon the
enemy within forty-eight hours. DA CANA
fed from his flagship. took refuge aboard a
Portuguese battle ship. and offered to sur
render to Brazil upon condition that he and
his men should be guaranteed safety.
His original blunder has been rulnous to
his cause.
Notwithstanding the surrender. we be-
lleve that It would be most upwise for Bra
I'll to carry It's clemency any further than
may be necessary In the case Of the naval
leaders who deserted Its service. entered
into revolt. took possession OF It's fleet.
bombarded its cities. seized several OF
its forts, burned one OF its towns.
Nictheroy, killed hundreds OF its poo
pie, and defled It's power for half n
year. Il Is important to Brazil that such
men should be taught that they are liable
to punishment for treason. that they can
not wage war upon their own Government
with any assurance OF pardon In tho
event Of defeat. and that they cannot
carry on their bloody follies under the i'm
preston that they will thereafter be free
from any penalty or enjoy the rights OF cit
izenship. The exercise Of clemency is often
judicious and beneficial, clemency Of the
kind that was exercised by our own Govern
ment at the close Of the civil war; but in
Brazil. where conspirators. traitorous func-
tlOnRTleb, AMBITIOUS ueInuRORues, anu il-
perialist plotters are forever looking for op-
portunities to create disorder and play
havoc. there is need OF great caution that
clemency be not carried to uverindulgence.
and need that rebels shall be warned that
they cannot STAY and ravage at their own
pleasure with impunity.
MELLo and DA CANA ought at least to be
banished from their country. as men dan
gerous to it's peace. and as warning to
other Brazilians OF their kind. Brazil can
not maintain republican government or
enjoy permanent peace II traitors are per-
mitted to swarm in the high places.
The European navies In Brazilian waters
have no business to interfere with President
PEIxoTo's pursuit OF the fugitive naval
rebels, who have failed to destroy their
country through revolution.
We may congratulate Brazil that II has
been saved from Imperialism through DA
GAMA's blunder.