, 1922-07-06

deep resentment Of the Brazilians and led to his
abdicatiOn April Z, 1881.
"A curious incident in connection with the alb
dication of Dom Pedro Primeiro was his appoint
ment of Jose Bonifacio, the exiled Patriarch of
the Independence, as the guardian and tutor of
his son. Dom Pedro Segundo. whom he lntrusted
at the age OF five. with his baby sisters, to the
loving care OF the subjects with whom he had
quarreled.
Dom Pedro Segundo was proclaimed Emperor
Of Brazil by a joint committee Of Senators and
Deputies amid the joyous shouts of the whole
population A regency Of three members was con-
stituted. and Jose Bonifacio was invited to assume
the personal guardianship of the Emperor"
Dom Pedro was declared to be Of age at four
teen and assumed personal direction of public
affairs. 1t was not until 1915 that all the provinces
of Brazil were united In peace.
An outstanding event in the political evolution
of Brazil's century OF independence is the aboii-
ton of slavery. by two successive steps. under the
auspices Of Dona Isabel, daughter of Dom Pedro
Segundo. when serving as regent Of the Empire.
The first decree was signed on September 2S, 1871.
BY this decree slave mothers bore only free chill
dren. The final abolition of slavery was effected
by Dona Isabel on May 10. 1883.
After the abolition of slavery, the old Conserva-
tive Party began to disintegrate very rapidly. its
members going over to the Republicans.
Gen. Benjamin Constant BOtelho de Magalhaes.
the chief exponent of the Positivistic doctrine.
was president of the military college. Under his
patronage a plan was worked out among the
higher officers Of the army, with the assistance
of the chiefs Of the Republican Party, for the
deposition OF the dynasty and the proclamation
Of the Republic. The revolution declared itself
on the 18th Of November. 1889. and a provisional
government was organized under the presidency of
Gen. Deodor0 da FOnseca.
The last imperial cabinet. headed by the Illus
trious Vlscount Of Ouro Preto. finding itself power
less to act. simply ceased to exist with the arrest
Of It's members. The imperial family were
banished.
Says Hello Lobo. Consul General of Brazil in
New York:
You Americans are proud of having given the
world II lesson Ia democracy which still endures.
and II was indeed admirable. for II shaped the
destiny of the whole continent and became the
source of widespread inspiration. jamestown, with
Its first elective assembly. the stirring events
which took place in Independence Hall. the vote.
freedom of speech, trial by jury-all the guaran-
tees of civil and political iife-for these the world
is deeply indebted to you.
Brazil did not forget this after she threw Off
the colonial yoke; although we were governed
by a liberal King who, above the crown, placed the
nations Will. your example gave us strength. AS
during the ~incumbency OF Pedro !, the regency.
and Pedro II this practice Of government remained
unchanged, so. when the Republic came into exist
ence and. thereby, the federation. our liberal tra-
dillon was already established aud universally
respected, Although borrowing It's Constitution In
1889 from the United States. Brazil did not flatter
your political wisdom by copying 1t entirely. With
a Charter which for more thun half n century
had found Its Inspiration IN the most liberal
principles OF the English
a source OF inspiration to the Constitution of the
United States-Brazll. In Its Republican and denni.
tive force OF government, found ut last its natura,
pattern"