Launched in December 1870, the Rio de Janeiro newspaper "A República" began its activities with the publication of the Republican Manifesto. The text was signed by more than 57 names, among them dissident members of the Liberal Party, which included politicians, merchants, farmers, and professionals, such as Aristides Lobo and Lafayette Rodrigues Pereira.
First page of the first edition of the newspaper "A República," in which the "Republican Manifesto" is launched. A República newspaper – Property of the Club Republicano. Year: 1870, Dec. 3, edition 0001. Digital Hemeroteca – National Library
Image description: This is an image of an old newspaper called "A República." The page is black and white, with text arranged in columns. At the top, there is the newspaper's title in large, bold letters. Below the title, there is a line mentioning that the newspaper is "Propriedade de Club Republicano." The newspaper number is "N° 1," dated "Sábado 3 de Dezembro de 1870." The main text is divided into several sections, with bold subtitles. There is also a section called "Maximendo" on the left side.The manifesto criticized the monarchical regime and proposed a Federative Republic, in which the sovereignty of the people would prevail. Quintino Bocaiúva and Joaquim Saldanha Marinho, founders of the Republican Club in Rio de Janeiro, led the signatories of the manifesto and coordinated the newspaper. The anti-monarchical publications of the newspaper A República, many of them signed by its founders, led to it being ransacked by monarchists about three years after its founding. The practice of ransacking newspapers, in general, consisted of destroying their equipment or buildings.
It was February 1873 and, at the newspaper's headquarters on Rua do Ouvidor, intellectuals and journalists gathered to celebrate the proclamation of the Republic of Spain. The celebration took over the building, adorned with republican flags. Its windows and balconies buzzed with the enthusiasm of the followers of Emilio Castelar, leader of the Spanish republicans. Quintino Bocaiúva was beginning a speech, soon interrupted by cheers for the monarchy, when the attack began. For hours, the newspaper was the target of the vandalism that left its windows broken and its flags torn.
Article "A patriotada policial," with illustration of the mutineers in front of the newsroom. O Mosquito newspaper, Rio de Janeiro, no. 182, p. 8, Mar. 8, 1873. Digital Newspaper Archive – National Library.
Image description: This is a black-and-white engraving. In the image, we see a man in the center, wearing a suit and top hat, holding a clenched fist. He is standing in front of a sign that reads "A REPÚBLICA." To his left, people are in motion, some appearing to be grabbed by others. To the right, other men, also wearing top hats, are standing, some holding objects. In the background, two figures look out through a window.“A República” influenced the founding of several republican associations and newspapers in other parts of Brazil, shaping the political and intellectual context of the period leading up to the end of the monarchy.
