The Fall of the Great Republic (1886-88)Coverdale, Henry Standish
History
The Fall of the Great Republic (1886-88)
Coverdale, Henry Standish
Imaginary wars and battles
In this disposition of authority, as in all the subsequent procedure
of the revolutionists, the apparent disappearance from the scene of
action of that mysterious leader calling himself the “Council of
Seven,” whose edicts had been the controlling force in the riotous
inauguration of the outbreak at Chicago, was one of the most perplexing
features. It gave rise at first to the suspicion that his identity was
concealed in the person of one of the three new rulers. This, however,
was not so generally accepted as the theory that they were simply
the instruments he had chosen through which to work out the schemes
plotted in his secret councils,--the tools with which he, still unseen
and undiscovered, did his work. Whatever the explanation, certain it is
that from this time forward the apparent leadership of the revolution
centred in the Washington triumvirate, from whom emanated the only
orders which were obeyed by the allied hordes of sedition and anarchy.
The bells in the few churches which the socialists had left standing
were rung, cannon fired, and bonfires made in several cities over the
revolutionary success. Herr Liest hastened to Washington, accompanied
by Julius Kopf, a beer-selling socialist, Petrovitch Metron, a
dynamite “professor,” and many other equally malignant anarchists. The
country was fast in the power of a triple combination representing
fanatical hatred of law and order, foreign revengefulness, and native
corruption,--all in their worst forms. But the leaders, fanatics
and zealots though they were, had foresight enough to see that the
alliance could not last unless its continuance were constrained
by the pressure of outside danger. All of them had animosities to
gratify against foreign Governments. Their desire of vengeance and the
necessity of self-preservation united in urging them to foreign wars.
XII.
WAR WITH ENGLAND.
Most of the foreign representatives had fled from Washington during
the stormy scenes which followed the departure of the President. But
the English, German, and French ministers remained, confiding in the
protection of their national flags, and actuated by a sense of duty
towards their fellow-countrymen in the United States, who were more
numerous than those of other nationalities. They were speedily shown
that revenge was a stronger motive in the breasts of the new rulers
than prudence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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