opposition identified itself with the most radical and extreme
opinions, and when called to power became the subservient in-
struments of the personal power of the crown, abandoned their
former leaders, and through the press and clubs took up again
the advocacy of republican principles. From the publication of
the manifesto of the new party to the proclamation of the repub-
lic, on the 15th of November, 1889, the republican cause gained
ground rapidly. Men like Saldanha Marinho, Quintino Bocay-
uva, Aristides Lobo, Felicio dos Santos, Campos Salles, Prudente
de Moraes, Assis Brazil, Americo Lobo, Rangel Pestana, Lucio de
Mendonca, Demetrio Ribeiro, Paes de Carvalho, Martins, junior,
Alexandre Stockler, Silva Jardim and Lopes Trovam, in the
press, in the parliament and in public meetings for twenty years
fearlessly defended their principles.
These apostles of the republican doctrine demanded the amendment of the monarchical constitution in the ways provided for by that document ; they desired the advent of the republic by means of victory gained at the polls—in a word, they aimed at the establishment of the republic in and by the parliament.
In May, 1889, tho Joam Alfredo cabinet was overthrown, and
when the Viscount of Ouro Preto had already reached an under-
standing with the imperial princes in regard to the twofold
succession of the cabinet and the throne, the old emperor un-
aware of this arrangement, sent for the statesman Saraiva, the
most loyal of the prime ministers of his reign.
Saraiva, with the clearness of perception that characterized this statesman, saw that the republic was inevitable and close at hand, and was afraid that it would come accompanied by civil war. Answering the summons of the Emperor, he advised him to make terms with the cause 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 effected without a shock. This could be done by means of a federation of the provinces with governments having largely increased powers. The Emperor accepted the advice of the old statesman, invited him to carry this policy into effect, and made ready in this way to surrender his power into the hands of popular sovereignty.
Saraiva refused to accept this charge ; for he knew that Ouro Preto had already determined upon another plan, and that he
