Ip4 Portuguese Political Events

Promised and Delivered devorismo.1 · dlc016

Despite the doubting words of the radical opposition, the … government has managed the tremendous feat of paying off …'s debts. The victories of "Devorismo" may one day eclipse its grotesque corruption.

The Finance Minister ascended to the stand, and swept his gaze across the chamber. He could tell at a glance which of them would be friendly, which would be much less so. How many of these deputies represented regions whose commons had been sold off to his allies? How many had faced petitions from desperate men and women who now needed to pay for firewood? Not a majority, and that was all that mattered. "The government's first duty," he said, "has been to embark upon the path of economic management. And we have walked this path precisely as envisioned..."

The … Revolution devorismo.2 · dlc016

The abuses of the "Devourist" government have become impossible to ignore. The masses of … and the National Guard have descended upon the Cortes Geraes, demanding … … hand over power to the opposition.

"We are on the eve of civil war. Tomorrow, Your Excellency will command the …'s armies, and I will command those of the Republic. If the sword of Bouças clashes with the sword of Asseiceira, my friendship and regard for Your Excellency will not suffer the slightest break." —Manuel da Silva Passos, to the Marquis of Sá da Bandeira

The Camilos Club devorismo.3 · dlc016

…, …, and a group of other left-wing politicians have formed a society to discuss radical reform in …. Members of the sitting government have denounced it as a seditious conspiracy, calling for its forced closure.

"How is it possible that one may be both a patriot and a traitor?" António reached out, and flicked the blinds shut. He looked back to the man across the table, and lowered his voice. "So long as Dom Miguel is on the throne," he began, "the man who fights against him is a patriot. He may smash whatever he wants, such is a means to an end. But if he were to appoint a liberal to his cabinet? Ah, now the Kingdom is worth protecting, and all who continue the fight become traitors. Holding the throne makes reactionaries of us all."

A Likely Story devorismo.4 · dlc016

A fire in the Royal Treasury building has destroyed many documents pertaining to the … government's expenditures. Whilst the true perpetrators are unknown, opposition figures have accused the government of arranging the fire to conceal its corruption.

"Purely coincidental-" "A tragedy, for all the nation-" "An investigation is underway-" The Minister looked up from his blurry world of letter-writing, interrupted by a suddenly flickering light. The candle had run low again, and the evening sunlight vanished completely. He turned to the nearest servant, and gestured towards it. "They wish of me to explain how the blaze broke out here, of all places," he grumbled. "They must understand that no fireproofing is perfect..."

Eaten Through devorismo.5 · dlc016

The policies of the "Devorismo" have consumed the vast majority of …'s former national properties. Whilst the pocketbooks of … politicians have seen great bounties, the state treasury remains destitute.

"The Nation and the Courts have the right to know the truth and the whole truth, and, since our ills are so profound, it is necessary that they be known so that they can be remedied. The Nation was tired of civil war and bloody struggle, our fortune was squandered by the perpetrators of usurpation, and the government's first duty was to embark on the path of economic management. Unfortunately, this path was not followed: the ease of obtaining money through loans produced a kind of exaltation in favor of Credit, and its prodigies were exaggerated on several occasions in this Chamber." —Francisco Antonio de Campos

Away With Charity devorismo.6 · dlc016

The instatement of direct elections and removal of the … government has created an opportunity to replace the unpopular Constitutional Charter of 1826. The … has called for a new Constitution, enacted through democratic means rather than royal fiat.

"What is the difference between a Constitution granted and one enacted? It is the difference between charity and honest work, between infancy and adulthood. The former presents the nation as subjects of a sovereign, meakly grasping for scraps of goodwill. The latter embodies the nation as self-determining, a body of which the sovereign is representative." The end of the speech transitioned into the furious scratch of the secretary's pen. A satisfying "clunk" marked its completion. "Good," said the speaker. "Now, six more points..."

The Spirit of Regeneration portugal_regeneration.1 · dlc016

The ideal of a great "Regeneration" which would reverse …'s long decline has long held sway over … liberalism. Capitalizing on its relative popularity, the … government has declared itself to be the first government of Regeneration.

"Honours and rewards will be granted as the result of genuine service. Public education will render the youth virtuous and well-disciplined. The army will be the firm support of peace, both foreign and domestic, its strength balanced by the organisation of national legions under the control of civil authorities. The number of landowners will grow. The farmer will enjoy the fruit of his labour. Factories will supply the public with the goods necessary for consumption, and will employ the many hands that now wither in idleness and poverty." —Manuel Borges Carneiro, Regenerated Portugal

At Long Last portugal_regeneration.2 · dlc016

The Regeneration has brought modernity to every facet of … society. If it were once true that our nation was in decline, our successes have proved this need not be permanent.

The space around the sick-bed was crowded with relatives, so much so that João could barely see a hair on his grandfather's head. His voice, once a strong baritone, had grown reedy over the years. Still, he projected the best he could, and those with tears running down their faces shushed themselves so he could be heard. "...when I was young, I fought the French", he said, "and Évora had no streetlights. And now we have trains, and it can take all of you to me. What can I do but thank God that, of all times, He chose to place me here and now?"

A Ladder for Icarus portugal_regeneration.3 · dlc016

The period of political and fiscal stability that allowed for the ambitious program of Regeneration has come to an end. … may no longer afford to dream.

It was over. All the Minister had worked for, all the measures he had spent the past decade so carefully outlining. Perhaps the state of the country was simply irrecoverable. Perhaps it had been futile from the start, and there was never anything he could have done to restore its sunward ascent. Perhaps it was even worse than that, and it had been entirely salvageable, were it not for the egos of generals and other fools. The academics would argue over it for the next century, he knew. He would need to contend with seeing books about the aborted Regeneration on the shelves, feeling the terrible desire to see what they had to say about him. What was there to do but weep?

The Color of Progress portugal_regeneration.4 · dlc016

The agrarian reforms of the Regeneration have both increased productivity and transitioned to a more entrepreneurial ownership system. Harvest time is now accompanied by the clattering of machines, and a bountiful pall of smoke.

"Now, António, tell me, how did you come by all of this?" Maria swept her hand over the marble-columned parlor, the paintings dotting the walls, the grand hardwood staircase. "Ah, do you remember my father's vineyard? I placed it on the stock market, and was very fortunate to attract the attention of a consortium of English investors. Within two years, I had doubled my money. Within four, I had doubled it again. Now, I may hire a man to oversee it for me. And with the time I save..." His fingers gently brushed against the back of her hand, and she felt her face grow warm.

A Thousand Miles portugal_regeneration.5 · dlc016

The Regeneration has brought the railway and telegraph to every province of …. Widely available transportation has opened once-isolated communities to the free exchange of goods and information.

"I took the train to Porto last month." Carlos turned to his neighbor, a skeptical expression on his face. Manuel's pearly white teeth shone through a coating of sweat and brick-dust. He pulled out the trowel, and slathered a layer of grout atop the next spot on the wall. "Really?" Carlos said, "how much was the ticket?" "Ah, do you take me for a millionaire? I was the fireman!"

Signed and Countersigned portugal_regeneration.6 · dlc016

The Regeneration has changed the face of … public administration. An unprecedented number of students enter school each year, and an abundance of fresh university graduates provide recruits for private enterprise and the state bureaucracy alike.

The students sat in neat rows, books resting in their laps, eyes forward. None of them dared make a sound. The professor looked over them, before speaking. His voice echoed off of the tiled floor, the walls covered in paintings of century-old rectors. "Describe how the enumerated responsibilities of the Cortes differ between the Constitution of 1822 and the Constitutional Charter of 1828." All as one, a dozen pens set to work on their pages.

Out of the Dark second_liberalism.1 · dlc016

The heroic efforts of Crown and Cortes have established … as a thoroughly modern and liberal nation. The constitutional order has triumphed over all who would challenge it.

A thick layer of smoke had collected around the ceiling of the officers' club, shifting the light of the lamps towards a reddish hue. It was nearly two in the morning, and all but the most diehard revelers had retreated back into their accommodations. A man in the uniform of a General sat in the corner, surrounded by his staff and enthusiastically chatting with a serving-girl. "Some fool sent me a letter," he said, "and it was terrible. An affront to God, but worthy of laughter nonetheless. The gentleman used an alias, and seemed dead-set on enlisting me into some bull-headed plot. As if I would raise arms against my country! He ought to get with the times."

The Highest Calling second_liberalism.2 · dlc016

"Once the existence of the Crown becomes a matter of public debate," said the exile, "it could no longer fulfill its unifying role. And what other reason did it have to exist?" The ambassador nodded along as he spoke. "And, in your words, is that why is fell?" "A symptom, but not the reason. The Crown capitulated over and over again. To compromise with the Liberals was a doomed endeavor. Their Constitutions strip Kings of their divine right, and render them glorified clerks." Each word dripped with bitterness as it exited his mouth. "If only I had seen it sooner."

The People and the King second_liberalism.3 · dlc016

The restoration of … … to the … throne marks the ultimate defeat of the Constitutionalist project. No more will the Crown need to compromise its God-given power.

"In a few months, from one corner to another of the Kingdom, the national spirit awakened; the most manifest abhorrence of revolutionary principles appeared with such intensity that only the reverence owed to the Mercy of My August Father, which the faithful Portuguese Nation rendered to Him, could prevent the people from sacrificing those who had promoted and sustained the Revolution." — Manifesto of His Most Faithful Majesty, Our King D. Miguel