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Il Ducato | News from Potenza | Who Sunk the Nembo?
- Thread starter Potenza
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Rheinbund
Established Nation
OOC: Where are you going to RP the concert? If it is really open for Royal Families from outside Potenza, my Royals will attend, but they will leave Prince Johann at home if the Engellexic Queen-Empress attends as well.
OOC: I actually wasn't intending to RP the concert much outside of a few posts in the Womb of Time thread.
People were of course welcomed to say they were sending royals and they would be included in subsequent news threads. However, if there's enough interest, I just might start an individual thread for it. Would other people be interested in attending and roleplaying the concert?
Rheinbund
Established Nation
OOC: You can RP that my Royals are there, except for Prince Johann (official reason for his absence: His military duties in Solaren; unofficial reason: The chance that he meets Queen-Empress Charlotte).
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Rheinbund
Established Nation
OOC: I did react :cry: Although it was late. Please check my newsthread :sad:
Consider this a breaking news edition.
Rheinbund
Established Nation
OOC: OK 
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The following is a special article printed in the latest edition of Il Ducato.
In recent times, a paper has been released that was long lost after the Havenite Civil War and is now resurrected in Danic and Sylvanian circles. Aptly entitled A Treatise on Monarcho-Capitalism and Its Global Hegemony, and attributed to one Professor Ethan Sorkin, the paper goes into detail on the relationship between monarchical governments and free markets.
The author defines the belief of Monarcho-Capitalism thusly: “Monarcho-Capitalism...is a state where ultimate political power is wielded by a hereditary or self-appointed autocratic leader, who nonetheless maintains power through a decentralised system of commerce and finance, rather than a traditional feudal structure of land-lords and the overt threat of naked force.” Using the history of Havenshire’s own ill-fated monarchy, the author presents an example of a system where men who showed “success in enterprise was rewarded liberally with titles [by the reigning monarch], effectively erasing any meaningful distinction between the empowered middle-class and the aristocratic bourgeoise.”
What is the benefit of such a structure? One is the prevention of independent businesses from obtaining supreme political power, as our author explains:
“Whilst a man might conceivably or theoretically strive hard enough to become the richest man in his nation or even the world, ultimate political power is still denied to him by right of birth. This final barrier, whilst railed against by many capitalists, is nonetheless a necessary check in the system. It is for this reason that I believe that Monarcho-Capitalism has succeeded in establishing such global hegemony.”
This is a very important distinction and advantage to a monarchical system: it presents a balance between rule by might, on the one hand, and rule by right, on the other hand. In a free market, an individual is permitted to rise to power through his strength and cunning, over and against those individuals who are either too apathetic to their own advancement or too ignorant of their trade and do not pursue advancement in the field. However, lest such power be abused in such a manner, a monarch, who rules by the right given to him by blood and God, checks him in and serves as the balance.
One important fact we must discuss here, however, is that Monarcho-Capitalism, as explained in the paper, seems to strive to show a distinction between the monarch and the capitalist, as if there are two forces engaged in a kind of ying-yang balance, like the Daoism of Yujin and Touzen. This forgets that the monarch and capitalist are both members of the state at large. This is the great error of Europe’s anti-monarchists, who teach the lie that monarchs are above the state, if not separate from it. Monarchs are members of the state itself, and are an integral part of it. The capitalist is part of the market aspect of the state, whereas the monarch is part of the noble and royal aspect of the state. Rather than two forces opposed to one another and offering balance, they are both cogs in the machine, which is made up of many cogs, and which without one would no longer function.
The greater flaw is this thinking is when our author presents the notion that Monarcho-Capitalist systems are naturally inclined to war:
“Monarcho-Capitalist states are, of course, by nature, frequently engaged in the business of making war. The product of labour is expended vastly, ever more so in these industrial and post-industrial times, in such destructive enterprises, a natural check on the growth of markets and the individual power of the capitalist, whilst simultaneously engaging the attention of individual Monarchs, often whom are the subject of these wars, various Succession or territorial disputes of one kind or another serving to ignite convenient conflagrations, which are obsessed over with petty detail, and prevent any one Monarch from upsetting the global hegemonic balance of Monarchs unduly.
The genius of the system is further revealed when one considers who the bulk of those actually engaged in the war are. The ill-educated, mean-blooded masses, whose toil keeps the whole engine running in peace-time, are fed into that machine during war, their blood and anguish lubricating the gears, and keeping them from effectively rising up.”
Such thinking again seems to stem from the misunderstanding that monarchs and capitalists are directly related to one another, and that all other elements of the nation are simply to function for these two forces, either into the one or the other. On the contrary, the common folk, whether called farmers or artisans or priests or otherwise, are simply members of other aspects of the state. They honor and serve the monarch because of their duty; they honor and serve the capitalist for income and support. However, just as duty and honor goes upward, so too does it go downward: the monarch serves his people as the foremost of citizens, and guides them towards their nation’s future; the capitalist strives to improve the economy and business of the state, so that the civilian populace would have jobs and comfort. A monarch who engages in war in the hopes the economy will improve and in the hopes that “undesirables” among the populace will be removed is failing at his job; a capitalist who supports such a move is not functioning as he should in his state. Both will continue to decline in their stature until both are removed: the monarch either by the angry rabble (as Potenza experienced recently with Eldizio I di Visconti) or another nobleman who can better function in the role; the capitalist either by another businessman who is far more shrewd or by the fall of his business.
What must be noted by those who wish to follow the Monarcho-Capitalist model are the following understandings:
1) The monarch and capitalist are functions of the state, as are many other aspects of the state. To ignore this is to oversimplify the government and present a false dichotomy that will prove fatal for a government on the long run.
2) Monarcho-Capitalism cannot function, fully or partially, on war. War is a necessary extension of a state’s diplomatic policy, not a source of economic renewal or popular purging. A state that thrives on war is a state that seeks its own destruction. For all that take the sword, shall perish with the sword.
3) The monarch must be seen as he who rules by right, and the capitalist powers as those who rule by might. The monarch, as the foremost of citizens, supports the economy and monitors the freedom seen therein, acting like an umpire at a baseball game - an impassive observer, but calling things as they are and acting when violations are seen. The capitalist functions within the free market, providing competition, jobs, entrepreneurship, and investment that benefits the state. The ultimate authority, however, does not abide in the capitalist, any more than the sole power to run the economy and guide it, as a riverway guides the waters, abides in the monarch.
Monarchical governments have much to learn - and expand on - the concept of Monarcho-Capitalism. However, it must be done with temperance and a proper understanding of the nature of the state.
An Expansion on Monarcho-Capitalism
by His Royal Highness Count Niccolo di Grimaldi
by His Royal Highness Count Niccolo di Grimaldi
In recent times, a paper has been released that was long lost after the Havenite Civil War and is now resurrected in Danic and Sylvanian circles. Aptly entitled A Treatise on Monarcho-Capitalism and Its Global Hegemony, and attributed to one Professor Ethan Sorkin, the paper goes into detail on the relationship between monarchical governments and free markets.
The author defines the belief of Monarcho-Capitalism thusly: “Monarcho-Capitalism...is a state where ultimate political power is wielded by a hereditary or self-appointed autocratic leader, who nonetheless maintains power through a decentralised system of commerce and finance, rather than a traditional feudal structure of land-lords and the overt threat of naked force.” Using the history of Havenshire’s own ill-fated monarchy, the author presents an example of a system where men who showed “success in enterprise was rewarded liberally with titles [by the reigning monarch], effectively erasing any meaningful distinction between the empowered middle-class and the aristocratic bourgeoise.”
What is the benefit of such a structure? One is the prevention of independent businesses from obtaining supreme political power, as our author explains:
“Whilst a man might conceivably or theoretically strive hard enough to become the richest man in his nation or even the world, ultimate political power is still denied to him by right of birth. This final barrier, whilst railed against by many capitalists, is nonetheless a necessary check in the system. It is for this reason that I believe that Monarcho-Capitalism has succeeded in establishing such global hegemony.”
This is a very important distinction and advantage to a monarchical system: it presents a balance between rule by might, on the one hand, and rule by right, on the other hand. In a free market, an individual is permitted to rise to power through his strength and cunning, over and against those individuals who are either too apathetic to their own advancement or too ignorant of their trade and do not pursue advancement in the field. However, lest such power be abused in such a manner, a monarch, who rules by the right given to him by blood and God, checks him in and serves as the balance.
One important fact we must discuss here, however, is that Monarcho-Capitalism, as explained in the paper, seems to strive to show a distinction between the monarch and the capitalist, as if there are two forces engaged in a kind of ying-yang balance, like the Daoism of Yujin and Touzen. This forgets that the monarch and capitalist are both members of the state at large. This is the great error of Europe’s anti-monarchists, who teach the lie that monarchs are above the state, if not separate from it. Monarchs are members of the state itself, and are an integral part of it. The capitalist is part of the market aspect of the state, whereas the monarch is part of the noble and royal aspect of the state. Rather than two forces opposed to one another and offering balance, they are both cogs in the machine, which is made up of many cogs, and which without one would no longer function.
The greater flaw is this thinking is when our author presents the notion that Monarcho-Capitalist systems are naturally inclined to war:
“Monarcho-Capitalist states are, of course, by nature, frequently engaged in the business of making war. The product of labour is expended vastly, ever more so in these industrial and post-industrial times, in such destructive enterprises, a natural check on the growth of markets and the individual power of the capitalist, whilst simultaneously engaging the attention of individual Monarchs, often whom are the subject of these wars, various Succession or territorial disputes of one kind or another serving to ignite convenient conflagrations, which are obsessed over with petty detail, and prevent any one Monarch from upsetting the global hegemonic balance of Monarchs unduly.
The genius of the system is further revealed when one considers who the bulk of those actually engaged in the war are. The ill-educated, mean-blooded masses, whose toil keeps the whole engine running in peace-time, are fed into that machine during war, their blood and anguish lubricating the gears, and keeping them from effectively rising up.”
Such thinking again seems to stem from the misunderstanding that monarchs and capitalists are directly related to one another, and that all other elements of the nation are simply to function for these two forces, either into the one or the other. On the contrary, the common folk, whether called farmers or artisans or priests or otherwise, are simply members of other aspects of the state. They honor and serve the monarch because of their duty; they honor and serve the capitalist for income and support. However, just as duty and honor goes upward, so too does it go downward: the monarch serves his people as the foremost of citizens, and guides them towards their nation’s future; the capitalist strives to improve the economy and business of the state, so that the civilian populace would have jobs and comfort. A monarch who engages in war in the hopes the economy will improve and in the hopes that “undesirables” among the populace will be removed is failing at his job; a capitalist who supports such a move is not functioning as he should in his state. Both will continue to decline in their stature until both are removed: the monarch either by the angry rabble (as Potenza experienced recently with Eldizio I di Visconti) or another nobleman who can better function in the role; the capitalist either by another businessman who is far more shrewd or by the fall of his business.
What must be noted by those who wish to follow the Monarcho-Capitalist model are the following understandings:
1) The monarch and capitalist are functions of the state, as are many other aspects of the state. To ignore this is to oversimplify the government and present a false dichotomy that will prove fatal for a government on the long run.
2) Monarcho-Capitalism cannot function, fully or partially, on war. War is a necessary extension of a state’s diplomatic policy, not a source of economic renewal or popular purging. A state that thrives on war is a state that seeks its own destruction. For all that take the sword, shall perish with the sword.
3) The monarch must be seen as he who rules by right, and the capitalist powers as those who rule by might. The monarch, as the foremost of citizens, supports the economy and monitors the freedom seen therein, acting like an umpire at a baseball game - an impassive observer, but calling things as they are and acting when violations are seen. The capitalist functions within the free market, providing competition, jobs, entrepreneurship, and investment that benefits the state. The ultimate authority, however, does not abide in the capitalist, any more than the sole power to run the economy and guide it, as a riverway guides the waters, abides in the monarch.
Monarchical governments have much to learn - and expand on - the concept of Monarcho-Capitalism. However, it must be done with temperance and a proper understanding of the nature of the state.
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The Federation
Established Nation
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
CONTINENTAL REPUBLIC OF SYLVANIA
To: The Potenzan Chamber of Nobles,CONTINENTAL REPUBLIC OF SYLVANIA
The Nobles of Potenza have shown their ignorance of Sylvanian foreign policy. Perhaps the Potenzan Nobles have not read a newspaper lately for it is the Continental Republic that has defended the rights of the Austwegian people to choose their own monarch. We are supportive of peaceful monarchies, we are not supportive of empires too large for their own good, empires who seek only to spread pain and violence in the world. I would also ask the Potenzan Nobles to put forward any evidence of Sylvania committing violent acts against other monarchist nations. You will find there is none and we do not appreciate the obvious propaganda that is creating fear of the Sylvanian nation in the hearts of innocent Potenzans.
Autumn Viklund
Director of Foreign Affairs
PEACE. VIRTUE. FREEDOM. LIBERTY.
CONTINENTAL REPUBLIC OF SYLVANIA
CONTINENTAL REPUBLIC OF SYLVANIA
Serbovia
Establishing Nation
Ulkoasiaintoimisto
Foreign Office
Fennian Unioni
The Fennian Union
The Union government shares the wise observations made in the Potenzan Council of Nobles over the way the Sylvanians have conducted themselves in the international stage. Sylvanian foreign policy is not motivated by ideology or goodwill, but by a desire of rapacious expansion through political brinkmanship and encouraging conflict among other nations to drive vulnerable plutocratic governments into the Sylvanian camp, much like they are now doing with former Agderike.
In regards to Saaremaa, we wish to urge a reconsideration of that country's situation. The Saaremaan people are subject to their own particular historical and social conditions and should not be ostracized as a result of the recent political instability in the country. Rather, the Potenzans and others should offer them a hand now that calm and order has been returned.
Regards,
Mr. Kauko Vannas,
Foreign Minister
Foreign Office
Fennian Unioni
The Fennian Union
The Union government shares the wise observations made in the Potenzan Council of Nobles over the way the Sylvanians have conducted themselves in the international stage. Sylvanian foreign policy is not motivated by ideology or goodwill, but by a desire of rapacious expansion through political brinkmanship and encouraging conflict among other nations to drive vulnerable plutocratic governments into the Sylvanian camp, much like they are now doing with former Agderike.
In regards to Saaremaa, we wish to urge a reconsideration of that country's situation. The Saaremaan people are subject to their own particular historical and social conditions and should not be ostracized as a result of the recent political instability in the country. Rather, the Potenzans and others should offer them a hand now that calm and order has been returned.
Regards,
Mr. Kauko Vannas,
Foreign Minister
D
Danmark
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State Republicanism has many systems of which some states are better at it than others. Some, like the Frescanians, whatever their woefuleness in aspects of some foreign policy, are better practitioners ~ concrete, enguilded in statecraft, highly sublime, and head-held-high noble than some other states that could learn one or two lessons from it.
The examples of republican systemics that practice the avant-garde strand of ultra-republicanism ~ a set piece for them, and constructed on a hastily binded manual of guidance ~ into the delicate virgin years of this, the years of the nineteen hundred and fifties, enamoured of hate-speech and waggy-talk are isolated, but they exist nonetheless and they are ones that need urgent correction, not to mention education. To me, this appears to be be a set of circumstances which popularly elected officials are prone to do under duress. This exists in most systems but when you have 'here today, gone tomorrow' politicians seeking high office, they plumb the depths of the gutter and gather up a lot of filth in order to either gain election or gain re-election. With that plumbing of the depths come many gems but also much detritus and scum.
Some practitioners of State Republicanism would prefer to deliver the manifesto of detritus and scum to the people within their nations for sheer political reasons - and it serves them well. But unveil the reality, the sincerity, the similarity, the familiarity, and introduce the concept of humanity as level heads, and some will clam up and become suddenly quiet. The reason? They know the truth but dare not display it as it ruins their careers, their peddled world-view to those less fortunate, and it requires dealings with the concocted enemy. Afterall, black and white is ideal but grey-shades and colour are less than convenient.
I am not for one moment fooled by the poison whispered and the acts displayed by politicians, even as Presidents of State, that use others for their own ends, scurry amongst the bushes, and plough muck in order to build their own little, but finite, mounds upon which to blather in self-serving manners, short-termism, and retroactive prognostication.
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE KING AND EMPEROR
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HR. HENRIK JOACHIM WESTERVELD
FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE GREAT DANISH IMPERIUM
OOC: I just love how what I wrote as a brief side article in the newspaper has spurred conversation, ha ha! I ain't complaining, though, just shows the nature of RP. Any way, In Character on...
The following is a special article printed in the latest edition of Il Ducato.
The Anti-Monarchist Movement
by His Royal Highness Count Niccolo di Grimaldi
Recently, the esteemed Chamber of Nobles, the royal counterpart to the Grand Duchy's Chamber of Ministers, held a meeting, as we do once a month, or in emergency situations, to discuss matters pertaining to our fine nation. Among these was the recent growth in opposition for governments which are monarchical in structure, and, in my duty as the newly appointed Lord Speaker of the Chamber of Nobles, I put forward a motion to ask the nations of Europe to have caution regarding the growing anti-monarchical sentiments growing in various circles, including the states of Sylvania and Saaremaa.
What was received was a whirlwind of comments from various circles, some negative and some positive. The largest negative comment came from Sylvania herself, whose foreign affairs secretary, Autumn Viklund, stated: "Perhaps the Potenzan Nobles have not read a newspaper lately for it is the Continental Republic that has defended the rights of the Austwegian people to choose their own monarch." She added: "We are supportive of peaceful monarchies, we are not supportive of empires too large for their own good, empires who seek only to spread pain and violence in the world." And finally:
"I would also ask the Potenzan Nobles to put forward any evidence of Sylvania committing violent acts against other monarchist nations. You will find there is none and we do not appreciate the obvious propaganda that is creating fear of the Sylvanian nation in the hearts of innocent Potenzans."
Ah, such strong words are these! It appears that the Chamber of Nobles spoke out of turn, and that our words sprang forth from the fountain of ignorance, filled with the waters of absurdity. I fear I must unsheathe my sword - not to strike, but to grasp the blade and hand it to my opponent, admitting my crushing defeat. I will unfurl the blade and show to the Sylvanian government what the Empire of the North desired to see, which is a Potenzan surrendering. Or perhaps, there is still hope for this silly noble against the Republican - perhaps we should review the situation and see if this game of words has already reached a checkmate.
Our Sylvanian friend argues: "Perhaps the Potenzan Nobles have not read a newspaper lately for it is the Continental Republic that has defended the rights of the Austwegian people to choose their own monarch." I will confess to Miss Vukland that I am ignorant by and large of the goings on of Sylvanian editorial journalism, however I am certain she would stare at me like a deer in headlights were I to ask her what the lead story in the most recent Turin Journal was. The fact of the matter is, this contention is stemming from the presupposition that, when the Chamber of Nobles mentioned Sylvania the nation, she attacked the Sylvania government in toto. Ah! What have we here? Miss Vukland has pointed her finger at us poor Potenzan nobles and told the world we are ignorant, and yet it appears that this is, in fact, a case of projection.
In fact, the mention of Sylvania's name was because certain elements within that country have become anti-monarchical. I will point readers to an article which appeared on April 26 this year, in the Charleroi Tribune Review, written by Congressman John Harvey, 1954 presidential candidate. In this article, Harvey stated that "monarchism still holds a great and terrible power over its people," adding the "old families maintain an iron grip over the territory and they are willing to plunge the world into chaos to keep it that way." He described monarchies as places where "once free souls are now slaves to their highborn masters...destined to till their master's fields for eternity." He goes on to say that communism - a system of government which oppresses the common citizens in places like Havenshire and Carentania - is not a threat to republics such as Sylvania, but merely to monarchies, and hence welcomes the rise of communist ideology across the world. He goes on to even say "do not be fooled into thinking that communism threatens you, because it cannot." Ah, how many in Havenshire wish they could think these words are true! How many in places where revolutions arose that wiped out entire families wish they could turn to John Harvey, pat him on the back, and say, as our Engellexic neighbors say, "Jolly good show, sir." Unfortunately, they cannot.
Into this arsenal I add an article published in the same editorial some days later, on May 5, entitled "We Should Come Out Swinging," and written by Marlon Daugherty. The article is a call for conflict and war, specifically with Danmark during the spy plane crisis. The author adds to this, however, "a large axis of fascist-monarchist nations" that are a perceived threat to Sylvania, including nations such as Ivernia and Sikandara. Ah yes, Ivernia! Where their nobles are elected in specific positions! Clearly this is a fine example of a "fascist-monarchist nation"! No doubt Daugherty would have included the Grand Duchy among those listed, as we are a fine beacon of fascism with our elected parliamentary body and the fact that only too recently the grand duke was voted off the throne and replaced with one supported by the representatives of the people. In some ways, I am almost shocked we were not included! How strange that I would have felt flattered to be included in collective libel.
These are examples of the trend growing inside Sylvania, which had caught the eyes of those of us who look to trends across the world, discerning growing tides and simmering steam, and see which movement demands immediate attention and which ideology demands radical discernment. Were they the ramblings of a Sylvania wino, or an isolated comment found in a letter written to an obscure Sylvanian publication, I can assure my readers that no one would have felt any concern. As it stands, however, they were written by people of repute, and in well known Sylvanian publications.
Our Sylvanian friend likewise argues: "I would also ask the Potenzan Nobles to put forward any evidence of Sylvania committing violent acts against other monarchist nations." Once again, our false presupposition has reappeared, flailing its arms madly about like a drunkard declaring holy war against pink elephants. One will find, both in the Chamber's original statement, as well as the article printed in Il Ducato, that nothing was said of Sylvania's government committing acts of violence against monarchist nations. Perhaps if we had passed a resolution warning all of Europe that Sylvania was going about sadistically killing monarchists with the same glee as little street urchins in San Salvo who lights the tails of cats to watch them flee - perhaps then, our friend would have grounds for arguing. As it stands however, no such comment was made. What was said was a call for foreign governments - Sylvania included - to "look upon this trend with caution." We were making a call for discernment in other nations, to examine themselves and notice, for themselves, what was unfolding within their own borders.
This response from the Sylvanian foreign affairs department, in fact, warns of an even shocking trend, and the worst kind. This trend is found in many states, where a storm is brewing, and only a few see it, but all the rest are left with scales over their eyes, ignoring the danger. In circles within Sylvania is a far more aggressive and dangerous trend of anti-monarchism. While it will be conceded that the Sylvanian president only speaks out against "absolute monarchism" (although one rarely hears of one condemning "absolute republicanism"), others - including a presidential candidate - expand on this, so that all branches of monarchism are included. To ignore this is to see the dark clouds ahead, with lights flashing across the sky, and saying to oneself, "There is no storm coming."
Those of us who uphold monarchical governments, their preservation, and indeed their advancement, see this storm, and have, like Noah in the days before the flood, attempted to gently warn others of this coming tide. If this is what we receive - to be treated with slander, attacked in discussion with an army of straw men, and our opinions to be labeled "propaganda" - then we shall have to prepare ourselves for the worse. Those of us who believe in true freedom and see the beauty of the divine institution of monarchism, and would defend it from tyranny masquerading as freedom, will be prepared to defend our values and morality with our own blood, if it is so required. Let us pray that Sylvania herself is able to stem the growing anti-monarchism which, while not yet overtly aggressive, is teetering on the edge of the chaotic abyss.
The following is a special article printed in the latest edition of Il Ducato.
The Anti-Monarchist Movement
by His Royal Highness Count Niccolo di Grimaldi
Recently, the esteemed Chamber of Nobles, the royal counterpart to the Grand Duchy's Chamber of Ministers, held a meeting, as we do once a month, or in emergency situations, to discuss matters pertaining to our fine nation. Among these was the recent growth in opposition for governments which are monarchical in structure, and, in my duty as the newly appointed Lord Speaker of the Chamber of Nobles, I put forward a motion to ask the nations of Europe to have caution regarding the growing anti-monarchical sentiments growing in various circles, including the states of Sylvania and Saaremaa.
What was received was a whirlwind of comments from various circles, some negative and some positive. The largest negative comment came from Sylvania herself, whose foreign affairs secretary, Autumn Viklund, stated: "Perhaps the Potenzan Nobles have not read a newspaper lately for it is the Continental Republic that has defended the rights of the Austwegian people to choose their own monarch." She added: "We are supportive of peaceful monarchies, we are not supportive of empires too large for their own good, empires who seek only to spread pain and violence in the world." And finally:
"I would also ask the Potenzan Nobles to put forward any evidence of Sylvania committing violent acts against other monarchist nations. You will find there is none and we do not appreciate the obvious propaganda that is creating fear of the Sylvanian nation in the hearts of innocent Potenzans."
Ah, such strong words are these! It appears that the Chamber of Nobles spoke out of turn, and that our words sprang forth from the fountain of ignorance, filled with the waters of absurdity. I fear I must unsheathe my sword - not to strike, but to grasp the blade and hand it to my opponent, admitting my crushing defeat. I will unfurl the blade and show to the Sylvanian government what the Empire of the North desired to see, which is a Potenzan surrendering. Or perhaps, there is still hope for this silly noble against the Republican - perhaps we should review the situation and see if this game of words has already reached a checkmate.
Our Sylvanian friend argues: "Perhaps the Potenzan Nobles have not read a newspaper lately for it is the Continental Republic that has defended the rights of the Austwegian people to choose their own monarch." I will confess to Miss Vukland that I am ignorant by and large of the goings on of Sylvanian editorial journalism, however I am certain she would stare at me like a deer in headlights were I to ask her what the lead story in the most recent Turin Journal was. The fact of the matter is, this contention is stemming from the presupposition that, when the Chamber of Nobles mentioned Sylvania the nation, she attacked the Sylvania government in toto. Ah! What have we here? Miss Vukland has pointed her finger at us poor Potenzan nobles and told the world we are ignorant, and yet it appears that this is, in fact, a case of projection.
In fact, the mention of Sylvania's name was because certain elements within that country have become anti-monarchical. I will point readers to an article which appeared on April 26 this year, in the Charleroi Tribune Review, written by Congressman John Harvey, 1954 presidential candidate. In this article, Harvey stated that "monarchism still holds a great and terrible power over its people," adding the "old families maintain an iron grip over the territory and they are willing to plunge the world into chaos to keep it that way." He described monarchies as places where "once free souls are now slaves to their highborn masters...destined to till their master's fields for eternity." He goes on to say that communism - a system of government which oppresses the common citizens in places like Havenshire and Carentania - is not a threat to republics such as Sylvania, but merely to monarchies, and hence welcomes the rise of communist ideology across the world. He goes on to even say "do not be fooled into thinking that communism threatens you, because it cannot." Ah, how many in Havenshire wish they could think these words are true! How many in places where revolutions arose that wiped out entire families wish they could turn to John Harvey, pat him on the back, and say, as our Engellexic neighbors say, "Jolly good show, sir." Unfortunately, they cannot.
Into this arsenal I add an article published in the same editorial some days later, on May 5, entitled "We Should Come Out Swinging," and written by Marlon Daugherty. The article is a call for conflict and war, specifically with Danmark during the spy plane crisis. The author adds to this, however, "a large axis of fascist-monarchist nations" that are a perceived threat to Sylvania, including nations such as Ivernia and Sikandara. Ah yes, Ivernia! Where their nobles are elected in specific positions! Clearly this is a fine example of a "fascist-monarchist nation"! No doubt Daugherty would have included the Grand Duchy among those listed, as we are a fine beacon of fascism with our elected parliamentary body and the fact that only too recently the grand duke was voted off the throne and replaced with one supported by the representatives of the people. In some ways, I am almost shocked we were not included! How strange that I would have felt flattered to be included in collective libel.
These are examples of the trend growing inside Sylvania, which had caught the eyes of those of us who look to trends across the world, discerning growing tides and simmering steam, and see which movement demands immediate attention and which ideology demands radical discernment. Were they the ramblings of a Sylvania wino, or an isolated comment found in a letter written to an obscure Sylvanian publication, I can assure my readers that no one would have felt any concern. As it stands, however, they were written by people of repute, and in well known Sylvanian publications.
Our Sylvanian friend likewise argues: "I would also ask the Potenzan Nobles to put forward any evidence of Sylvania committing violent acts against other monarchist nations." Once again, our false presupposition has reappeared, flailing its arms madly about like a drunkard declaring holy war against pink elephants. One will find, both in the Chamber's original statement, as well as the article printed in Il Ducato, that nothing was said of Sylvania's government committing acts of violence against monarchist nations. Perhaps if we had passed a resolution warning all of Europe that Sylvania was going about sadistically killing monarchists with the same glee as little street urchins in San Salvo who lights the tails of cats to watch them flee - perhaps then, our friend would have grounds for arguing. As it stands however, no such comment was made. What was said was a call for foreign governments - Sylvania included - to "look upon this trend with caution." We were making a call for discernment in other nations, to examine themselves and notice, for themselves, what was unfolding within their own borders.
This response from the Sylvanian foreign affairs department, in fact, warns of an even shocking trend, and the worst kind. This trend is found in many states, where a storm is brewing, and only a few see it, but all the rest are left with scales over their eyes, ignoring the danger. In circles within Sylvania is a far more aggressive and dangerous trend of anti-monarchism. While it will be conceded that the Sylvanian president only speaks out against "absolute monarchism" (although one rarely hears of one condemning "absolute republicanism"), others - including a presidential candidate - expand on this, so that all branches of monarchism are included. To ignore this is to see the dark clouds ahead, with lights flashing across the sky, and saying to oneself, "There is no storm coming."
Those of us who uphold monarchical governments, their preservation, and indeed their advancement, see this storm, and have, like Noah in the days before the flood, attempted to gently warn others of this coming tide. If this is what we receive - to be treated with slander, attacked in discussion with an army of straw men, and our opinions to be labeled "propaganda" - then we shall have to prepare ourselves for the worse. Those of us who believe in true freedom and see the beauty of the divine institution of monarchism, and would defend it from tyranny masquerading as freedom, will be prepared to defend our values and morality with our own blood, if it is so required. Let us pray that Sylvania herself is able to stem the growing anti-monarchism which, while not yet overtly aggressive, is teetering on the edge of the chaotic abyss.
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Received at POTENZAN FOREIGN OFFICE for the COVENANT
NC Sent At [0111|060753] -- Received At [0123|060753]
START The Covenant encourages Potenza to begin living up to its breadth and stature. STOP Political analysts have discovered the tip of the Danish discrepancy iceberg. STOP Europe is a globe shared with Danmark, not shared by Imperial Danmark. STOP Potenzan Civilization must finally outshine the Empire of Danmark for good. END _________________ SEALED & SENT CHIEF FOREIGN OFFICER H.M. FAUCONBERG |
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Danmark
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9e Juni, 1953
Whatever potential changes are to come to pass, this shall be respected. Dano-Potenzan links are some of the oldest in continuity dating from times when the world was a much more problematic place, or by world, I should say simply Germania.
The landscape of decades ago increasingly no longer seems as recognisable as it once was. Furthermore, ties, like all relations, go through development and maturity over periods of time. This is right and it should happen lest we all become ossified as the world changes around us. Indeed it already is. The greater world is quickly evolving and is becoming multi-polar and for this, new measures are needed either with tweaks to the old, or bringing in the new. We hope that Potenza can live up to this and we hope that it will. Indeed, we look forward to a more noticed Grand Duchy punching above it's weight.
For ourselves, we do not aim to win the popularity stakes and we are apparently, in some rarefied diplomatic circles, often cited as not particularly flavour of the month. This is of small concern to me. An abiding refusal to jump on the latest rolling bandwagon that happens to come into town will remain a characteristic. To do otherwise would be disingenuous and wrong. What matters is doing what is right. Whilst some may seek to pitch for the sake of favoured nation status, I can be sure that we will not.
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE KING
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HR. HENRIK JOACHIM WESTERVELD
FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE GREAT DANISH IMPERIUM