FONSECA'S BRIEF REIGN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 14, 22 January 1892, Page 29

FONSECA'S BRIEF REIGN.

(From the Irish World.) Fifty years ago the boy, Dom Pedro, was made Emperor of Brazil. Ha reigned for forty-eight years, an ideal ruler, loved by his subjects and respected by to* governments of the world. He devoted his best tnergies to developing the resources of his vast country and advancing the civilisation of its people. He solved the problem of the peaceful abolition otslavery. He travelled every section of his coun-

try and studied every opportunity to develop its resources. Daring bis long reign Brazil took the lead of the Sonth American continent in diversified industry, and the introduction of steamships, railways, telegraphs, and manufactories. By the magnetism of his personal virtues he retained the allegiance of his people, when all the States around him were being torn by revolution. He noted the rising tide of popular feeliDg in favour of a republican form of government, and instead of offering resistance he publicly announced his readiness to acquiesce in the national demand when expressed by the people. The National Assembly was about to be called, and the will of the people made known through their representatives, but ambitious men were seized with the temptation to seize the sceptre in transit, and so was born the conspiracy organised by General da Fonseea to seize the person of the unsuspecting Emperor and transport him across the Atlantic before the people would have time to protest or call a bait and then proclaim a Bepublic, with the conspirators as rulers. The conspiracy succeeded. Fonßeca held the reins of Government till a few days ago, when he was forced ignominiously to resign by the people to whom he had made himself intolerable. Dom Pedro reigned for forty-eight years as Emperor ; Fonseca, who surprised, deposed, and banished him, reigned for nine months as President of the Bepublic. It seems like a merited retribution. They who proclaim " Liberty " the loudest are not always the most deserving to be entitled liberators or entrusted by the people with continued possession of the powers which they usurp.