At the end of the 19th century, the Sociedade Francesa de Ginástica was a meeting point for bohemians in downtown Rio de Janeiro and was the place chosen by Silva Jardim for one of his lectures in defense of the republic, in favor of ending the monarchy. The debate was not new, but it now had another variable: the end of slavery. The signing of the Lei Áurea by Princesa Isabel led some republican abolitionists to switch sides. The most notorious case was that of José do Patrocínio, who came to support the imperial government. It also led many slaveholding farmers, who had previously supported D. Pedro II, to embrace the republican cause, as they felt harmed by May 13th. Silva Jardim was aware of the monarchist campaign to associate the republic with slavery, especially after the support received from former slaveholders. The rally was the opportunity to reinforce what he had been repeating everywhere: the monarchy had always defended enslaved labor, unlike the republic, whose ideals had freedom as a pillar.
Silva Jardim. Lithograph by Araújo Guerra. Fundação Biblioteca Nacional.
Image description: The image is a black-and-white lithograph. At the center is a portrait of a man with a beard and short hair, wearing a classic suit. He is smiling slightly toward the right. Around him is a poster with the text "CONFERÊNCIAS EM" and a sign reading "SILVA JARDIM." To the left of the poster is a leafy branch. The image is mounted on a light background, with some stains and creases.Amid an audience made up mostly of free and newly freed Black people, Silva Jardim declared: "the idea of slavery is linked to the idea of monarchy. Whereas the idea of a republic is tied to that of a full fraternity. Republic and slavery are, in principle, as everyone senses it, incompatible." Part of the audience remained unconvinced. The end of slavery increased the popularity of the imperial family, especially among the Black population. Many organized themselves around the Guarda Negra, a group of freed people united by the "defense of freedom in every way, especially as represented by Isabel." Some of its members heard Silva Jardim's speech that night.
Republican newspaper directed by Rui Barbosa, Diário de notícias no. 01297, p. 01, Dec. 31, 1888. Fundação Biblioteca Nacional – Hemeroteca da Biblioteca Nacional
Image description: The image is a republican newspaper dated December 31, 1888, directed by Rui Barbosa. The page features a prominent news item with the headline "GRANDE CONFLICTO." The text describes a violent event that occurred before Mr. Silva Jardim's lecture, where a large crowd gathered at the door of the Clube de Gymnastica Franceza, on the street of the Clube Gymnastico Portuguez, formerly Travessa da Barreira. The report mentions that the crowd extended all the way to Praça da Constituição, blocking Rua da Carioca and Rua Sete de Setembro. The text highlights individuals distinguished by their appearance and attitude, including those dressed in blue uniforms and straw hats, as well as those carrying thick canes.At the end of the conference, the speaker made his way to Largo de São Francisco de Paula when, according to the republican newspapers' accounts, members of the Guarda Negra tried to assault him. In those newspapers' version, the Guarda was nothing more than knife-wielders and capoeiras in the service of the Empire. They showed up at the rally to provoke and cause turmoil. José do Patrocínio came to its defense. The violence was the result of an "explosion of wrath." Did republicans have the right to demonstrate? Why not the monarchists against the republic? At the end of the conflict, according to the Court's chief of police, most of the wounded were "almost all men of color."
Cidade do Rio, edited by José do Patrocínio, comes out in defense of the Guarda Negra after the conflicts, n. 00294, Dec. 31, 1888. Hemeroteca da Biblioteca Nacional
Image description: The image is a black-and-white newspaper page. At the top is the title "GUARDA NEGRA" (BLACK GUARD). Below, there is text in Portuguese, written in two columns. The text mentions the Guarda Negra, an organization that defended Black people against attacks from Republicans. There are references to historical events, such as the Redeeming Princess and the fight against slavery. The text highlights the importance of the Guarda Negra in defending Black people and against anarchy.Projeto República (UFMG).
