"On our planet, in three successive progressive changes, with each
consecutive variation, we increased and intensified our armed war
conflict cruelties against each other.
"First, the stone age, then the iron age and now we have with us,
appalling atomic, gas and bacterial warfare. Help us to once and
for all make an end to them. 'Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in
illis'--The times are changed, and we are changed with them. You as the
head of a leading world nation by such an act, example, and pattern to
humanity, you will the sooner bring about the brotherhood of all men,
and world security. A showdown is getting nearer, help us to forestall
it.
"Please! Please! Mr. President, grant us these four islands for world
experimental stations and laboratories, now so indispensable. Let them
and us be the testing grounds and mediums in a new and better plan
and ways of human conduct, relationship, intercourse, culture, and an
economic system for the unlimited benefit of all mankind."
The President said, "I would suggest that you have our Congressmen here
with the one that visited Mars who has observed their mode of life,
present a Bill to Congress so that it be passed. I will sign it, and
good luck to you!"
"We all hope that Congress will pass this Bill, and if our experiment
of improved new economic ideas prove satisfactory, adjoining islands
and peoples may join us, extending our influence. Then the United
States will gain world leadership, and other nations will imitate us.
Therefore you and Congress will gain eternal honor, and fame in history
and posterity, as the saviors of humanity, and the time may come, I
hope, when there will be a gradual peaceable absorption of all earth's
inhabitants to our way without undue pressure or strife that one world
government will come into being, and a new life and the emancipation of
all will bring happiness in '_Our Coming World_.'"
* * * * *
About two weeks after our return, a mysterious package attached to a
small parachute of a strange design and fabric was seen floating down
from the skies at La Guardia airfield. In it were found letters written
on strange paper, enclosed in unstamped matching envelopes. One of them
was addressed to me from Lieutenant Balmore; eleven other letters were
addressed to his and his crew members' parents.
There was also a portfolio crammed with money, jewelry, and papers.
Included were the last wills and testaments and transfer of properties
of the crew, appointing me as executor and providing directions for
turning over as soon as possible moneys and valuables and all their
earthly possessions to their respective families. In his letter
Lieutenant Balmore described his happy marriage with his beloved Xora,
as well as the marriages of his crew members with beautiful Martian
maidens of their choice, performed in one grand ceremony.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account