The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-02-12
REPUBLICANTSM IN BRAZIL.
Senior Mendonca Writes for the North
American Review.

In all the long reign or Pedro I'll.
there are only three things in his POI
litical conduct which reach the alti-
tude of his moral stature-the liberty
of the press, the abolition of slavery
and the disinterested patriotism which
in the last days of the government
inspired the aged Emperor, as was
shown by his Willingness to abdicate
in favor Of the republic. This con-
sent TO abdicate, unique of its kind
deserves more particular mention,
since it offers an opportunity for
throwing light upon the present po-
litical situation in Brazil. In Nav,
! 1889, the JOAN Alfredo cabinet was
| overthrown, and when the Viscount
| of Ouro Preto had already reached an
understanding with the imperial prin-
| cts in regard TO tn. twofold succession
I of the cabinet and the throne, the old
/ Emperor unaware of this arrange
ment, sent for the statesman Saraiva,
the most loyal of the prime ministers
of his reign.
Saraiva, with the clearness of percep-
ton which characterized this states
man, saw that the republic was ineV-
liable and close at hand, and was
afraid that it would come accompa-
MED by civil war. Answering the
summons of the Emperor, he advised
that was destined to triumph. He told
him that his prime minister should
offer in the Parliament plans of reform
so radical that the transition from
monarchy to republic could be eff
fected without shock. This could be
done by means of federation of the
provinces with governments having
largely increased powers. The EN-
perOr accepted the advice of the old
n l. -
policy into effect, and made ready in
this way to surrender his power into |
the hands of popular sovereignty. |
Saraiva refused 10 accept this charge; !
for he knew that Ouro Preto had |
already determined upon another |
plan, and that he could not depend !
upon the support OF the majority of |
his on II party. So instead of Sa-
raiva, Ouro Preto became chief of the
cabinet, and the Brazilian monarchy, |
instead of bequeathing to history a
fair page of disinterested patriotism
on which the person of Pedro II.
would have figured at the head of all
it left that in which are
the thanks of Count d'Eu TO
the Provisional Government for the
settlement of the imperial succession
for the sum of two and half millions
Of dollars.
|
original purposes of its programme the
historical republican party allied it.
self with the military class, and, sup
ported by it, unexpectedly proclaimed
,he republic. The enterprise was
not difficult, for the empire had not a
single defender left. Was it wisely
Or unwisely done? The answer is not
easy to give. In the very Parliament
elected under the Ouro Preto ministry,
0H% /
he performance and carried out his
,lan for a federation of the prov
noes, and the following legislature
would have with the same ease voted
or the establishment of the repub-
ic. Such would doubtless have been
he dictate of prudence, as in that case
he new institutions would be the
natural Outgrowth of the representa-
i've system. But what is done cannot
re undone. If the step was taken
lastily, it was at least in the right di-
ection. The chief danger would be in
Ooking backward. The revolution
as given to Brazil Republican insti-
utions which must be defended at all
aZards, leaving whatever defects they
nay have to be rendered by wisdom
fter the safety of those institutions
ave been assured. Were the republic
8 bad as its worst enemies paint it, it
'ould still be preferable to any mon
rchy that could be set up on its ruins.
10 restoration, however, is now pos
BILE in Brazil. The efforts to affect
would undoubtedly excite a civil
ar whose bitterness would be intense
nd duration indefinite, but whose re-
Its no republican can doubt.
There are indications that both sides
re girding themselves for final de-
sive conflict. President Piexoto is
ending every energy to concentrate
is fleet, formidable squadron. The
bel warships are seven in number.
a battle occurs it will be the first
'mbat of modern war fleets since the
ustrians and Italians met at Sissa in
Journal CRep.l