The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-12
ANNIVERSARY OF BRAzIL's REVOLUTION.

In these days Of overnight revolu- I
tscns. eloodshed and endless confusion
with the destinies Of the world war
sometimes apparently depending mp .
an the within of some hare-hrained
s.nan OF the hour" America will OBJ
serve with interest the Anniversary of
the brazilian revolt against monarchy
which viii be observed November ID.
In is22. while Brazil was still the
colonial possession OF Portugal, Dom
Pedro, SONS Of The Portuguese and the
vfos-reeart Of Brazil declared Brazil
independent Of the mother country
Dom Pedro established himself as
king and for sixty-seven years Brazil
remained the only independent country
in the westarn world wtth monarch
cal forth Of government.
BY the end Of that time, however
tina ideas of democracy and se1f-gov-
eminent had gained such ascendenoy
that the peopis of Brazil decided TO
transform their monarchy into re-
public, and for the second time there
was a. complete change In government
through another bioodless revolution.
TIE peopls OF Brazil had no great
quarrel with their sasy-going mon
Arch, nor had they any desire to harm
him or the members OF bis family. All
respected Dom Pedro III. and many
loved him for his flne personal quail
tsse, hut 1t was the rnonarchicsl sys-
tam of government In fts entirwty they
wanted TO get rid of. and SO IT became
NECESSARY for them to depose him. This
they did on November Is, 1888. Mar
xAa, Manoel Deodoro Fonseca- one Of
ne aolest and most popular generals
cf the Brazilian army, placed himself
~ the head OF the revolution and on
ths date named published a procinma-
ton in which he stated that the peo-
Ma. the army and the navy had de-
creed the deposition of the imperial
dynasty and the extinction OF the
Ynonarchical system. He assured the
people that the provisional government
xuarantead ALI Inhabitants OF Brazil
security for life and property. and re-
wpec1 for individual and political
x4xfts; that It recognized and respect
"A all national engagements contracted
during the monarchy; and that 1t
would adhere 20 existing treaties with
foreign countries. acknowledge the
domestic and foreign debt. and assume
all other legally constituted oblisa-
lions
This wes q very simple and very
plain document and was signed by
Marshal Fonseca as chief Of the pro
vts,onal government and the members
Of the cabinet that had been elected.
That was ali there WAS TO 1t. A very
polite and courteous letter 10 Dom
Pedro II informed HIM that the pres
~nce Of the imperial family, IN this
country, in face Of the new situation
created by the irrevoeahle revolution
OF the 18th inst. would be- absurd and
Impossible. and provocative Of trou-
bles which the safety Of the public
arapresses upon us the necessity TO
avoid A time was fixed for the en-.
barkation of the royal family. and the
former emperor was assured that
s.your comfort and health during the
passage Will be looked after with the
greatest OF care, and the government
will continue TO pay you the sum as
sured by law until this point has been
\ settled by the approaching constituent
assembly" And SO It was all settled
In the incest manner possible. Dom
Pedro II. ers,while emperor OF Brazil
saiied for Portugal and the republic
Of Brazil started on it's prosperous ca
rcsr. No frenzied mobs. no murder
/ tng Of high ofleiais--f4e beteherlng ,oi
fnpocent people--no burnings OF