Ever heard of the “Sea Eagle”? That’s the nickname they gave Ant\u00f3nio C\u00e2ndido. He stands here immortalized in bronze. This is Ao Conselheiro Antonio C\u00e2ndido Statue.
Ao Conselheiro Antonio C\u00e2ndido was no ordinary man. He was born in Amarante in 1850. His words captivated Portugal’s parliament.
Listen closely. I will tell you the story of a man who rose from humble beginnings. He became one of the most influential figures in Portuguese politics. This statue commemorates his life.
Ant\u00f3nio C\u00e2ndido excelled in oratory from a young age. He delivered powerful funeral eulogies. These included those of the first Duke of Loul\u00e9 in 1875. He also spoke at Alexandre Herculano’s in 1877.
He joined the Progressive Party in 1876. His close friend Anselmo Jos\u00e9 Braamcamp led this party. C\u00e2ndido represented Amarante in parliament from 1880 to 1881. He later represented Coimbra and Aveiro.
The writer Camilo Castelo Branco was impressed with C\u00e2ndido’s speaking skills. He gave him the nickname “Sea Eagle”. This name stuck with him throughout his career.
Ao Conselheiro Antonio C\u00e2ndido served as Minister of the Interior. This was from 1890 to 1891. He successfully defeated the Revolt of January 31 1891. It was the first attempt to establish a republic in Portugal.
He became a peer in 1891. He took a seat in the Chamber of Most Worthy Peers. In 1905, he was elected president of that chamber. Sid\u00f3nio Pais was one of his proteges. Pais later became the fourth president of Portugal.
Ao Conselheiro Antonio C\u00e2ndido also presided over the Royal Academy of Sciences. He was a member of the Vencidos da Vida. This was a group of monarchist intellectuals. E\u00e7a de Queiroz was also a member.
At the time of the 5 October 1910 revolution, he held the position of Attorney General. This revolution overthrew the monarchy. He was removed from his position. He then left political life. He contributed to the pro-monarchy press.
Ao Conselheiro Antonio C\u00e2ndido died in Amarante on 9 November 1922. He was 72 years old. Amarante honored him with this bronze statue. A street in Lisbon also bears his name. In 1951, they unveiled a bust of C\u00e2ndido in the National Assembly.
Amarante has named one of its most iconic locations after him. It was initially called Largo do Arquinho. This was because they found the arch of a medieval bridge in its subsoil. Today, it is Largo Conselheiro Ant\u00f3nio C\u00e2ndido.
Look closely at the Ao Conselheiro Antonio C\u00e2ndido Statue. It stands as a reminder of his powerful oratory. It reminds us of his progressive spirit. He fought to give a voice to minorities.
He was indeed an extraordinary figure. He left an indelible mark on Portuguese history. The statue of Ao Conselheiro Antonio C\u00e2ndido ensures he will never be forgotten.