The Woman Who Vowed (The Demetrian)Harding, Ellison
Science
The Woman Who Vowed (The Demetrian)
Harding, Ellison
Science fiction; Utopias -- Fiction
"I cannot play a conspicuous part," said Chairo, "in a campaign in which
I am so deeply involved; I propose to stand for the legislature in my
own district, but I shall address my constituents only once, and then I
shall make it clear to them that I shall not regard my election as a
vindication of the course I have adopted in setting myself against the
state, but as evidence that upon my frank avowal that I was wrong I
still have their sympathy and confidence."
Masters suggested that they should attend on the governor, who was
standing for reëlection, and agree with him as to the course to be
taken, with a view to diminishing to the utmost possible the chances of
a serious collision between the government and the opposition on the
amnesty question.
I was very much surprised one day to find both Masters and the governor
dining at our table in our hall, and to learn that although the governor
had offices in the capitol he lived with his family in the same
apartment in which he had always lived, and, except when he was actually
engaged in the duties of his office, there was nothing to distinguish
his manner of living from that of the humblest of his fellow citizens.
He was a man of an extremely simple exterior, though his head was
distinguished and his language chosen. We conversed about the political
outlook, and over our coffee, which Ariston made himself in our rooms,
the governor summed up the position as follows:
"The country districts will send us a large majority hostile to Chairo,
because they are conservative and abhor violence. Chairo will have from
the city and most of the large towns a small but staunch and intelligent
following. Masters will influence a large number of votes, as will also
the Demetrian cult. I don't myself think the state can afford to allow
any man to organize an armed rebellion--not even Chairo--without putting
upon him some mark of its authority, and I think it would be unwise in
Chairo's interests to ask that he should escape without censure and even
punishment. I propose in my electoral address to advise pardon for all
who have been led by others into rebellion, severity for those who led
them into it, and for those leaders who can plead extenuating
circumstances, moderation."
We all felt that the governor's attitude was not only wise on general
political grounds, but also from the narrower point of view of Chairo's
personal interest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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