FLORIDA. MAGAZINE.

43

The Iron Republic.

RICHARD JAMESON MORGAN.

[A2/ Rights Reserved.]

FTER
a citizen has served suc president has no grade all,

he

at
cessfully as a supervisor and having longer the right

no
vote

to
magistrate, he becomes a participate any election. No

or

in
franklin of the second grade citizen eligible
the same office

to
is
and is eligible to the next high more than once and after serving

in
er office under the state, which any the capacities mentioned, be

of
is that of commonwealth deputy in comes eligible the next office

to
the provincial assembly. This body above and holds that grade he

if
corresponds to your state legisla does not go higher until he reaches
ture. One week after the primary the age limit, which sixty years

is
election, the commonwealth election for the first grade and seventy for
is held, which is participated in by the others.
ex-magistrates the common As with the exercise of the fran
all

in

wealth, and one chosen common chise America, some our citi

of
in
is

wealth representative the provin zens never contest for any office,
in

cial assembly. The choice for all having no desire for public life and
being entirely optional with them.
by

civil officers lot. week later

A
is

it

provincial elections are held When man out office, he

of
the is

is
a

and from the body ex-common only private citizen having no ad

of

wealth deputies one chosen vantage over any other franklin

to

in
in is

represent the province the nation the republic, except merely his eligi
senate. All the newly elected bility, common with all others

of
in
of
al

the first day Jan his grade, the office next above
to
on

bodies meet
of

uary and organize and the new sen has held. Retiring presi
he

the one
ate from the whole number of ex exception, by virtue
an

dents are
as

senators the republic, choose having held every office under the
of
in

new president. The primary elec state, they are considered pre-emi
tions occur annually, the common nently qualified and become life mem
wealth elections bi-ennially and the bers the supreme cabinet, which
is of

provincial and presidential elections body composed ex-presidents

of

quadrennially, the terms office and three citizens the first grade,
of

of

being respectively, one, two and chosen for distinguished ability and
appointed by the incoming presi
by

four years.
is,

citizen virtue
of
A

the first grade;

citizen dent with the approval
his

seal, the senate.

of

of
a

magistrate, This supreme cabinet serves

he

has served an
as
he

as

after
the second grade. After serving advisory council the president
to
in
he as is

deputy the provincial assembly and as national board of arbitra

in

franklin the third grade tion, to which referred all vexed

of

is
is
a

and when he has been elected na questions internal administration.

of

tional senator he advances to the the highest authority the re

It

in
is

fourth grade. After public and by its sanction, the presi

he

has served
as
44 FL () H II). A MAGAZINE.

dent has the right to veto. Can you framed and submitted the people

to
conceive of any scheme of govern the appellate elections. the

in

It
is
ment simpler than this?” asked my appeal the people for an expres

to
friend. “Our financial, judicial and sion their will on the subject. The

of
penal systems are just as simple and people may take the initiative and
satisfactory, but we have not time compel legislative bodies propose

to
to go into them now." laws. This prerogative though,

is
a
“The scheme certainly possesses that never exercised, for legisla

is
the merit of simplicity,” I replied, tors knowing the alternative, are
“and yet under not possible, always willing propse any legisla
it,

to
is
it
probable.—aye, extremely probable, tion demanded by their constituents.
that controlling majority these You want to bear in mind that there
in
a

legislative bodies may wholly in are no political parties here, such

as
be

capable framing suitable laws for you have America, consequently

of

in
great state? My observation has there not the vindictive strife and

is
a

been that men are egotistical and party feeling that you have there.
obstinate the proportion that they There are no questions personal

of
in

are incompetent, and majority ambition party expediency be

or

to
of
a

such men, seems to me, would not considered and no motive to swerve
to it

only fail legislate wisely, but any legislator from the most abso
would prevent capable minority lutely unselfish efforts for the public
a

from doing so." weal.”

“My dear sir,” exclaimed the “There must certainly differ

be
professor, "you have not yet grasp ences opinion on measures
of

of
the first principles legislation public policy,” suggested.
in ed

It of

this great country. not the “There are differences opinion,

of
is

exclusive function any these course, on nearly all measures

of
of
of

legislative bodies originate legis that are proposed and they are dis
to

lation. They may indeed, devise and cussed by the press and the people
propose laws, but they have no pow and then settled by vote the sov
of

enact any whatever for the ereign citizens. But there no

er

as
to

is
government the people. Here necessary connection between the
of

is

where the elective franchise comes success of these measures and that
in, every law, whether proposed of any individual the nation, the
in
as

by the national senate for the repub discussions are always moderate and
lic, the provincial assembly for the intelligent. Unmarried women le
of

province the commonwealth gal age and widows with the neces
or

council for the local government sary qualifications, are franklins of

to of

the primaries, must the first grade and share with men
be

referred
the people and its acceptance re the appellate franchise.”
or

jection determined “Pray compensation do

by

their vote. what

Wise measures public policy are these different legislative officers
of

originated for the most part, by receive?” asked:

I

scholars and publicists and when “Primary supervisors and magis

they are elaborated and perfected by trates receive one and two dollars
a

public discussion, they are "operly day, respectively, the year round
 FLOR II).1 MAGAZINE. 45

because they are constantly employ only when they reach their outmost
ed.” answered the professor. “Pro bounds and dash themselves on the
vincial deputies receive three dollars rock bound coast to be thrown back
a day for the time they are in ses broken, foaming masses, that the

in
sion, national senators receive four angry roar the breakers heard,

of

is
dollars and presidents get five dol sending terror the heart the

of
to
lars for their full time as do members mariner. As long you have un

as
of the supreme cabinet, for they are occupied territory for your increas
constantly employed. There is no ing tides population flow out

of

to
mileage, as the railroads are owned upon, your people will have homes
by the state and it costs them noth and long the majority them

as
as

of
ing to travel.” have homes and property, you are
“Five dollars a day for the presi safe, for the illusion par

all
of
is
"

it
dent of a great nation The state tially civilized people that the object
ment fairly took my breath. and end government protect

of

“That is very munificent pay,”
said my friend, “but as they give up
all other business as well as their
to
is
property. But under your system,
the time will come when compara
tively few people will own most

of
homes, and have to reside at the the property and control the means
capitol, it is not considered too subsistence: then, they will logic
of

much, though their labor is intrin ally combine for mutual protection
sically worth no more than that of and aggression and learning the ter
the man who lays brick or shovels rible power ofcombination, will in
dirt.” evitably throttle the spirit liberty

of
“This is indeed remarkable gov and crush the life blood out your

a of
a
ernment!" I exclaimed. people. On the other hand few
“My fellow countryman.” said the men whom the love for wealth and
in

professor rising, “I have the kindest power has extinguished the love

of
memories of your country, for it is liberty and their fellowmen, owning
the land of my birth. But you have all the wealth and by the power

of
a very imperfect system of govern that wealth controlling production,
ment. It is by no means representa transportation, legislation, every
tive and admits of more corruption thing! On the other hand, millions
than could exist under an intelligent people only few generations re
of

despotism. It has been so with moved from the noblest and most
all

previous attempts popular gov heroic ancestors reduced to the con

at

elastic system and ditions serfs! Aye, even

an

ernment.
of

to
It
is

heretofore with boundless territory worse condition, for the medieval

and immense unused resources, serf might work and fight for his
it

has been adequate. Congestion master, but with your hundred hand
a is in

the state the human body, ed machinery produce and the

to
as
in

fatal andyou will ultimately reach blind greed which will deprive the
period congestion. The great bil masses the power consume,
to
of
of

mid-ocean roll grandly their services will be dispensed with.

on

lows
in

without danger and without noise, Their labor will not required and
be

save deep soothing murmur. there nothing their masters will

It
is

is
a
46 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE.
want them to fight for as they will
possess everything. There is the
picture for you, sir; heartless greed,
oppression, ill-gotten wealth forti
fied by legislation and protected by
hired minnions on one side, and on
the other, millions who cry for the
opportunity to earn bread! And if
you want it shaded, there is dyna
mite and gunpowder and gorgeous
combustible villas, all great smoke
makers!”
My companion had been pacing
the floor excitedly as he poured out
these burning words, but now stop
ping before me his mood suddenly
changed and he smiled broadly.
“Why bless me. I am talking to you
as though your destiny was bound
up in the United States and you
were going back there next week,
when as a matter of fact we are, both
of us, absolutely cut off and that
country is no more to us than the
lost Atlantis or the cities of the plain!
Come, I don't know how you feel,
but this great outflow of words
seems to have left a void that re
minds me that it is about the hour
for lunch.” Stepping to the ubiquit
ous transmitter he gave some orders
about a carriage and I heard him
say something about a two seater
at the hour of fourteen. Passing out
of the building we walked through
the handsome grounds of Capitol
square and had barely reached the
Boulevard that surrounded it when
a light carriage came whizzing down
upon us, in which we took our seats
and were propelled swiftly to my
friend's house in the suburbs.
“I
have been greatly interested
in what you have told me about
your government,” I said as we rode
along, “but one thing you did not
explain I would like to know, and
that is how the lots are cast which
elects one man to office out of the
great number of candidates.”
"Now," said my friend,” by a for
tunate circumstance, you can have an
opportunity of seeing just how it is
done, as a magistrate has recently
resigned in one of the common
wealths of this province to accept a
position in the sub-treasury at Ae
gia in the province of Vandalia and
if you remember, there was an item
in the news current this morning
which stated that an election would
be held tomorrow to fill the vacancy
occasioned by the supervisor taking
his place. It is only about an hour's
run on the Ironia and Olympian rail
way and you can go down and see
it for yourself which will be better
than any description you could have
of it.”
It was accordingly arranged that
I should run down the next morn
ing and take it in.
When we arrived at the house of
my friend I found a gentleman
waiting for me with a tape line and
a book of cloth samples who was in
troduced as a very capable furnisher.
I learned that my host had asked
him to call and take my measure for
an outfit. I went up to my room with
the outfitter and was surprised at the
excellent quality of his samples, there
being no shoddy or inferior goods
in the lot. I intimated to him that as
I had a very complete wardrobe and
as the period of my sojourn in that
country was uncertain, I did not de
sire anything expensive, preferring
something rather, of good appear
ance without regard to durability.
 Fi, OR II)A MAGAZINE.
The smiling tailor told me though,
that he had no goods that would not
wear for years, all being equally well
made and the only difference being
in the weight of the material. In
specting a piece of black casimer, I
asked him if he could guarantee the
dye to retain the lustre, and to my
astonishment was informed that he
did not handle any dyed cloths at all,
everything he had being in the nat
ural color of the wool, which includ
ed every shade of handsome suitings
of the finest and firmest texture. Re
marking the excellence of the qual
ity, I volunteered the compliment
that his factories evidently turned
out better goods than ours, where
upon he informed me that every
piece was woven by hand and that
there was not a cloth factory in the
republic! In the meantime I had
made my selection and he was en
gaged in taking my measure.
“Do you mean to tell me,” I
asked with astonishment, “that a na
tion so far advanced as yours does
not use machinery in the manufac
ture of cloth 3’ “None at all,” was
the reply. “They used to, long be
fore my time, but under the repub
lic no factories are allowed.”
“And do you weave this cloth, or
you have to go around and find it
do
among the private individuals who
weave it?" I asked.
“Oh, I simply go to the Govern
Exchange, which takes it from
ment
the weavers, and get what I want."
“Does the government speculate
in this cloth or simply store it and
sell it for the weavers?”
“The government does not spec
ulate on anything.” replied the out
fitter. “It takes this cloth, giving the
47
weaver in exchange, the price estab
lished by the bureau of Subsistence,
which is based on the weight and
weave of the goods. It is then sold to
whoever wants it at a slight advance
which is the seigniorage, or prin
cipal source of revenue for the sup
port of the state."
“Then there is no competition,”
I remarked, “I suppose the prices for
the different grades are purely ar
bitrary with this bureau.”
“No, the price of nothing is ar
bitrary,” returned the tailor. “The
value of everything being fixed by
the average cost of production, as
ascertained by the bureau in the
most careful and scientific manner.”
“There must be,” said I, “some
unsaleable goods made, as there is in
my country; does the exchange have
to take them at the production price,
regardless of what they will sell for.”
“The exchange sometimes has
goods that will not sell for the es
tablished price by reason of their un
desirability, damage in storage, or
other causes. When that is the case
they are cut to the selling point. It
frequently happens too, especially
with agricultural productions, that
the price of one article is reduced,
while that of other things which
compete with it or displace rais
it,
is
ed. The bureau has all of that in
hand and the business reduced to
is
science. The exchange also has the
a
right reject anything and pro
it so
to
ducers keep touch with and
in
thus know what the public demand
for.”
is
Here was another field opened
up my curiosity which would
to
explore
by
have liked very much
to
further questioning, but my outfitter
48 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE.

did his work expeditiously and lunch article that can be applied on suffi
was waiting. At the table I introduc cient quantity meet the demand,

to
ed the subject and asked why the without the use machinery. This

of
manufacture of cloth by machinery list includes fabrics almost every

of
was prohibited in the Iron Republic. description, shoes, hats, head wear,
“We prohibit the use of machinery furniture, rope, agricultural imple
in the making of cloth,” answered ments and products, vehicles, fact

in
my host, “for the same reason that almost everything that we use.”
we do in the manufacture of every "And the purpose this that

of

is
thing else that the people can supply there may work for all do?”

is be

to
without the aid of machinery: that “That the purpose.” replied
that there may my host, "and the purpose accom
is,

work for all."

be

is
“Do understand that you have plished, for requires the work

as
it
I

no manufacturies at all?" asked. all supply the wants all, there

to
is of

of
I

“Not that we have none all, at no enforced idleness this repub

in
but none for the manufacture any lic.”
of

To be Continued.)

Backwoods Social.
A

SARONDEE.

OW strange the customs was two o'clock the after

It

in
seem
country, even noon when drove up
Mr. Stevens
or
of

of
a
a

state other than our own and gave me the invitation; adding
|

During my first visit Florida, that was agreeable would he

to

in

it
if

the year 1898, was invited drive me out the “cyart;" and,
of

to

in
a

planter, liv
I

social the home "as the fun's begin about moon

at

to
of
a

ing forty miles from the primitive rise, we'd better a-moseying
be

village where chance had led me. along, so’s git thar time for
to

in

had only very slight acquain supper. The road's powerful rough
a
I

tance with the wife this planter, some places, and hit ain't any too
of

in

having spoken few words her short, nuther.’’

to
a

on an occasion when she had accom Surmising that, me, there

to

panied her husband whilst would something unique, and,

he

had
be

sold “truck” my hostess. As consequently, interesting this out

to

in
I

learned afterwards, had been ing, and appreciating the truly

it

through her sympathy for “that southern spirit hospitality which

of

lonesome lookin' Yankee woman" had prompted this informal invita

that happened included her tion stranger, accepted glad
be

to
to

in

it
a
I

list of invitations. 1V.

 FLOR II)A MA (;AZINE 100

The Iron Republic.

RICHARD JAMESON MORGAN.

[A// Rights Reserved.]

44D UT," said I, with a disposi down practical illustration. You

to
tion to argue every point, use machinery the manufacture

of
in
one man with a machin? shoes; what extent does lessen

to

it
can do the work of a hundred and it labor and cost?” “Very much in
seems to me that with your admir answered warming

up
deed,” the

to
able political conditions, you might

I
advantage thought saw. “With

I
well employ the use of machinery,

I
improved machinery and division

a
thereby giving the people more labor, have been informed that

of
time for recreation and the improve

I
man can make pair shoes every

of
a
ment of the mind.” “Certainly there

at a
seven minutes, cost thirty

of
is great temptation to use a machine

a
cents.” “Very well; you are not

if
that will do the work of a hundred positive though the accuracy

as

of
to
men," replied my host "and if the your data, we will allow some lati
hundred men were the beneficiaries pair
tude and say they make

in
a
of its efficiency, there could be no fifty
twelve minutes, cost

of
be at
a
excuse for not using You employ fifty pairs
it.

cents. That will

in
the Unit

a
labor saving machinery day ten hours. Your man with the
a it in

of

ed States, and where does the machine then, has done the work

of
work of hundred or thousand fifty men. What pay does re
a

he
men do they get the benefit it?” in
of

ceive?” “From the best my

of
could not say that they did. formation average about two
an

of
I

“As matter fact,” continued replied.” Your

of

dollars per pay,”

a

my host, “does anybody derive any man paid two dollars day and
is

benefit except the owners the ma turns out product

to of

that sells
a

chine?' was obliged confess for $25 “Oh no!” interrupted,

in
I

that they were the only direct bene “that costs $25 make.” see,”
to

“I

ficiaries, but that the cost produc said my host smiling; “this the
of

is

tion was lessened, which course, making. Now what do these

of of

cost
of

must be the advantage all. shoes sell for?"

to

“Ah, my friend" exclaimed the should say average

an
“I

of

professor, very much $1.50.”

“I

fear that
your argument influenced by your “Ah! Then this man does the
is

legal training, for palpably one work fifty men and turns out
of
is
it

sided, being predicated the as product that worth $100 more

on

of is

sumption that machine doing the than the cost production. Who
a

work of hundred men, lessens the gets this $100,” asked my host lay
a

price products without dimin ing down his fork and looking across
its
of

ishing the purchasing power the table me with an air affect

of
at

the
of

hundred men who have been depriv simplicity.

ed

work by Now let “The man company that owns

or

come
us
ed
of

it.
110 FLORIDA. MA GAZINE

the machine, I suppose,” I answered conducive an equitable distribu

to
slightly nettled. tion wealth among the people?

it of
“Then the forty-nine men whose Does not rather impoverish the
work has been done for them do not forty-nine men whose work done

is
come in except in the matter of in by the machine and enrich one man
creased time for recreation | But who gets the value fifty men's

of
what surprises me most,” my host work for the price one?”

of
went on, “is that these shoes can be could not deny logical con

so

a
I
made for fifty cents and sold for clusion.
$1.50. How is this feat, so contrary “Now the Iron Republic,” con

in
to the laws of competition accom tinued the professor, “where machin
plished?” ery not allowed supplant labor,

to
is
“In the first place,” I answered, produce fifty pairs shoes one

to

of

in
“our manufacturers combine to day would probably require the
maintain prices among themselves work fifty men and the value

of

of
and in the second place we have a their product would be divided
tariff which brings the imported ar among them. So the question re
ticle up to that price.” solves itself into this proposition:
“So!” exclaimed my host, “I which better, let fifty men earn

to
is
begin to comprehend your system one dollar apiece, let two men

or
to
which I presume was the same when earn SIOO, (one whom works

of
I left the country, but as I was quite while the other keeps books),

of
a young man and had never paid which amount the working man gets
much attention to such matters, I re $2 while the bookkeeper gets the
tain no knowledge on the subject. balance?”
Now let us look into this system in The proposition did not admit

of
practical application. Here debate, but could not refrain from
its

is

I
a

machine that one day with the ap remarking that seemed pity that
in

it

plication one man's labor, does fifty men should labor day a
ac

to
of of

the work fifty men, thereby de complish what an inanimate machine

priving forty-nine men the oppor might do without toil fatigue.
or
of

tunity work. the value the “Not necessarily,” retorted my

In

of
to

product turns out, earns the host. “In appearance and according
it
it

wages fifty men and yet all that the ethics industrial economy,
to
of

of

labor gets the paltry sum there could be no objection the

to

out
of

is
it

$2 not enough pay for the machine doing the work fifty men
of or

to
of

of

result fifteen minutes its time, the fifty men got the benefit
its
of

in to of
if

the balance going the owner work. And yet contrary the
of
to

as is
it

the machine. So while flesh and blood Divine economy, expressed the
and brains and skill earns $2 for la Biblical injunction that man shall
bor, wood and iron and steel earns
by

eat bread the sweat his brow,

of

$50 for capital! And this wonderful and like every other human practice
machine too, all probability, the that runs contrary the Divine or
to
in

at is

product skill and labor the der, harmful its results and
of

in
is

same miserable wage! this system think your system must demonstrate
Is
 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE 111

Notwithstanding the use ma leges, libraries and other beneficient

of
it.
chinery, you doubtless have large institutions stand as monuments to

a
number men who are steadily and this virtue them today.” “Un

in
of
permanently employed; now which doubtedly," assented the professor,
makes the best showing, mentally “and yet must remind you the

in
I
and morally, this steadily employed first place that man who becomes

a
class, the unemployed partially millionaire from the increment of

or
or

a
employed class whose time for rec Other men's labor, can be no idler,
reation and the improvement the for the mere keeping up with his

of
business and getting the lion's, tig

by
mind has been increased the use
machinery?” was compelled er's and wolf's share the product

of
to
of

by
confess that the employed class took the labor employed him, will

of
precedence both point intelliof keep him busy. And the second

in
in

gence and morals. remarked too, place when man makes gifts with

a
I

that was disappointing fact that money obtained that way, such

is
it

our public libraries, night schools generosity any manner different

of in
and other institutions founded for from that Robin Hood, who rob
the benefit and elevation of the bed one class and gave another?

to
masses, were least patronized by even as commendable, for the
Is
it
those of most leisure. “It not old highwayman invariably took
is

strange,” said my host. “The reason from the rich and gave the poor,

to
able employment the body, pre the worst doing evil that good
of

at

pares the mind for recreation. might come, contributing

of by the

to
A

man's mind though, especially equalization wealth, while your

be
if
it

not well cultivated, having nothing millionaires take from the poor and
employ but recreation, grows give such way enhance
as

to
in
to

a
it

bad just most boys do who have their reputation, this being the only
to as

nothing do but play. The universe thing desired after having ac

be
to

founded on plan and that plan quired more money than they can
is

contemplates that every man shall use promoting their pleasures.

in

work. The man who does not, suf From my point view, there no
in of

is
fers and society suffers by him. more generosity such actions than
There are no exceptions this there was Trajan's lavish expendi
to

in

rule.” ture on his tomb. think you will

I

confess that you have had the find too, that the sons these mil
of
“I

me along,” said “but lionaires who inherit the money

all

better
I,
of

you are certainly mistaken when you without the training that came with
say that there are no exceptions its accumulation, will suffer and
to

this rule, for many our most in make society suffer, thus proving
of

telligent and virtuous men are those the old Bible doctrine that the sins
who have grown vastly rich from the the parents are visited
on

the
of

results other men's labor. may children unto the third and fourth
of

say most generous also, for my generation.”

in

country hundreds churches, col “That doctrine may true

be

in
of
112 FLORI 1) A MA (;AZINE

theory," I replied laughing “but in they blaze the way they open up.

it as
my country the first generation usu easier for the rest follow; and

to
I is
ally exhausts the possibility of the so believe the world has been the
evil by getting rid of the root of it.” gainer the very inequalities and

by
“In as far as the money itself may injustice which you condemn.

In
contribute directly to the evil,” as its age long and world wide ad–
sented my host;” but a life of prof vance, the human mind has not
ligacy and dissipation made possible marched phalanx. Under favor

in
a
by inherited wealth may leave a train ing conditions the strongest and
of evils behind it extending to gen and boldest have broken away and
erations unborn.” led the advance, scaling walls oth

to
“Then you regard wealth as an ers impregnable and climbing
evil, do you?” I asked. heights inaccessible the average

to
“I certainly regard wealth as a and placing beacon lights make

to
most prolific source of evil and the ascent easier for those that fol
where it is acquired in the manner low.”
we have been discussing, that “My dear sir,” exclaimed the
to is,
where poor man required professor, "your figure very pret
is

is
a

make shoes for rich man for fifty ty, but think only because

so
is
it
a

I
cents and then pay $1.50 for the the beautiful words which you
of

to in in
same shoes for himself and family have clothed Skill the art of

it.
to

wear, evil per se. You say dressing may hide many

a be
an

made
is
it

this partly the result legislation defects,” (with sly glance the
of

at
if is

yours government ladies,) but am not going

is,

be
and

to
of
is
it

the minority, for there must few I

by mere external appear
be

taken
It in

rich, than poor men.” grant not your figure find

er

ances.
“I

is

I
what you say,” replied. “Govern fault with but your logic. Let

us
the rich, al
I

state your proposition

by

ment of, for and the form

in
is

ways has been and probably always syllogism and proceed logically.
of
a

will be, because wealth power. But Major premise:–In advance

its
is

does not necessarily follow that for ment, mind will secure to itself the
it

that reason bad. the co-oper conditions most favorable to its ex

In
is
it

ation of mind and matter the af pansion; premise,—but

minor
in

fairs human government wealth to the ex

most favorable
of

as

is
in

everything else, mind must predom pansion the mind: conclusion,

of

it
is

predominating
by

inate. secures therefore the aid wealth that

In

of
it

the conditions of life most favorable the human mind has advanced to its
itself and thus extends its sphere, present wonderful stage develop
to

of

an exploring party few men ment. this fair and logical state
as
in

of Is
a

by getting more than their share ment the proposition?" admit

of

food are enabled penetrate faster ted that was.

to

it

and further than their comrades. But (To continued.)

be
 H'LORIDA. MAGAZINE 1153

The Iron Republic.

RICHARD JAMESON MORGAN,

[All Rights Reserved.]

ERY well; then I dispute your deeply interested listeners and

minor premise and deny your caught every point.
conclusion,” said my host pos “Since you have appealed

to
itively. “Wealth is not favorable to Caesar,” said “unto Caesar will

I,
the expansion of the mind and for its we go. you resort logic, will

to
If

I
wonderful development it acknowl meet you with your own weapon and
edges no financial obligation whatso state another syllogism for you

all to
ever. Under the patronage of wealth disprove. Major premise;

in
which was to be the gainer by its times wealth and power have been
product, mind has wrought some of used repress and retard the devel

to
its most beautiful creations and in opment the mind; minor premise,

of
modern times wealth has supplied in but the nature of mind to

in
is
it
some instances tools to facilitate its
resist oppression and its mightiest
work; but in the main, money has energies have been aroused this

in
rather been the enemy of mind, and resistance; conclusion;
therefore
wealth, whether supporting monar power unwittingly
wealth and have
chical extravagance, religious bigo contributed the development and
to

try or personal vanity and ambition, expansion the mind!”

of

has tended to suppress rather than “Very neatly turned cried the
!”
promote the highest and noblest professor, while the ladies smiled
qualities of the human mind. Its sub
and Miss Helen even infringed the
limest efforts have been achieved in
neutrality laws by clapping her
poverty, in exile, in dungeons even,
hands. “Then your position,” con
and as for scaling walls impregnable
tinued my host, “is that everything
and climbing heights inaccessible,
which opposes the advancement
of
and planting beacon lights for oth
the mind, really facilitates its devel
ers, as per your pretty figure, the
opment?”
most gifted men have gone to the
“Not precisely. Everything
stake or scaffold, because power,
which arouses the resistance and
which has always been synonymous
overcoming instinct the mind,”
of

with wealth did not approve.”

I

returned.
I began to get warm in the col
lar, for though I had engaged in the “The point well taken and
is

discussion more for information than strongly stated,” conceded the pro
argument, the ease and skill with fessor, “but, what wealth and power
which my opponent had met and de has contributed the development
to

feated me at every point, aroused such direct oppres

by

the mind
of

the belligerency my nature. sion as arouse resistance and wake

to
all
of

of

more exasperat slumbering energies, slight

its

But what made

in
is
it

ing too, comparison with the blight and stag

be

the ladies seemed

to
164 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE

nation induced by war, financial op orphans, but it also makes heroes,

pression and industrial wrongs.”
“You charge these things to
wealth then 7"
“I do, most unqualifiedly,” re
sponded my host. “Homer would
have us believe that the Trojan war
was fought for love, but the wars of
history have been for wealth and
power.”
“I make the point on you,” I re
turned, “that the poorest nations
have been the least intelligent and
that industrial wrongs have always
been greatest where ignorance has
been grossest. I think that his
tory will sustain me in the further as
sertion, that war has been the great
civilizer of the world.”
“Incontrovertible statements, all,”
asserted my opponent,” and incor
rect only as they confuse cause and
effect; if the poorest nations have
been the least intelligent, they were
the poorest because they were the
least intelligent and not unintelli
gent because they were poor. If in
dustrial wrongs have been greatest
where ignorance has been most
dense, it is simply because the peo
ple being ignorant, were least able
to defend themselves against indus
trial wrongs. If civilization has been
a product of war, it is a bi-product
and resulted because notwithstand
ing the barbarity and inhumanity of
and liberty and patriotism have been
fructified by all the blood the earth
has ever drunk.'"
“And what has been the liberty
of the world,” my friend asked
scornfully, “but the illusion which
people cherish when they have ex
changed one set of masters for an–
other? And what is the patriotism of
the world but that savage and sense
less prejudice which is cultivated by
teaching the fools of nation to hate
the fools of other nations? And when
the fools of two nations have been
set by the ears by their rulers, they
fight and maim and kill—and this is
called glorious war!”
“I beg a truce!” I cried, seeing that
my venerable host felt deeply on the
subject, while I was merely endeav
oring to hold up my end of the argu
ment.” I find that I am no match for
you Iron Republicans. I have only en
countered these accomplished ladies,
yourself and Professor Hallam, and
on the subjects of dress, industrial
economy and music I find that I
know nothing; am eliminated, ob
literated. In other words, to use an
Americanism, I am not in it, and
hereby surrender, foot horse and
dragoons. I cannot offer you my
sword for I presume there is no such
thing in this model republic.”
“They were beaten into plow
all

the wars, they brought different peo shares long since,” answered my
ples together and the knowledge of friend smiling good humoredly, “so
different nations, by amalgamation, that formality will have dispens
to
be

was enlarged. War itself is debasing with. am generous though

ed

in
I

to the human mind.” victory and will pay you the compli
“I take issue with you on that." ment say that your cause was
to

if

said I hotly. “War may be destruc worthy your prowess, the result
of

tive but it is not debasing. War may might different.

all

contests
In
be

be cruel, but cruelty calls forth no though, the justice cause

of

not
is
a

bility. War may make widows and less an element strength than the
of
 FLORIDA.
greatness of cannon and sharpness
of steel.” I bowed my acknowledge
ment of the compliment and indulg
ed the hope that I might yet find
some vulnerable point in the Iron
Republic, if for nothing else than to
redeem myself in the fair eyes that
had witnessed my discomfiture.
“I think you are entirely too mag
nanimous in professing defeat,” said
Miss Morris, taking part in the con
versation for the first time and look
ing at me with her beautiful eyes
beaming with interest. “If you are
not too proud to accept an humble
ally,” (I bowed again,) “I venture to
suggest that the enemy,"(smiling and
flashing a glance at her father,) “may
attribute his victory—if indeed he
has won it—to the fact that the fight
ing was all in his own territory where
he was entrenched. It is my opinion,
if I am worthy to be admitted to a
council of war, that you run up the
white flag too soon.” “With the glo
rious prospect such a promising alli
ance opens up to me,” I replied face
tiously but with a peculiar thrill of
gratification, “I hasten to pull down
the flag of defeat and beg that you
will advance into the breach.” Well,”
said my fair ally, “I reopen the attack
by the assertion that it was not alone
in bringing the nations into closer
intercourse that war has exerted a
civilizing and elevating influence on
the human mind. I believe that the
highest and noblest thoughts of the
peaceful present, owe their origin to
the high and noble deeds of a past
made glorious by war.”
“Tut, tut,” exclaimed her father,
"the romances of history and Sir
Walter Scott have corrupted your
mind.”
“Kindled rather,” retorted my ally
MAGAZINE 165
with avigor that proved she was in
earnest. “I acknowledge my indebt
edness to history and Sir Walter and
when I read of the deeds of Couer de
Lion and Ivanhoe, even of Dalgetty
and Debracy, I cannot abide the
goody goodiness of a big nation like
this that works and eats and slumbers
like an ox. What would be the history
of the world today if the Iron Repub
lic had been founded on the Babylon
ian empire and its principles had re
ceived world wide acceptances? Try
to think of a history of the world
without an Alexander or Caesar or
Frederick the Great, or Bonaparte or
Washington. Without a Marathon
or Thermopylae, without Crusades
or Couer de Lion "
I was surprised at the energy with
which these words were uttered and
suspected that the strong feeling that
prompted them must have been long
repressed. My host looked aston
ished and Mrs. Morris turned to her
daughter with a glance of concern as
though she had suddenly discovered
in her traces of insanity.
“The history of the world, my
dear,” said her father after a mo
ments silence, “we may not alter or
amend and perhaps would not if we
could. It is with the world's life as with
a man's; the excesses, dissipations
and sins of early years cannot be
blotted out and the experience of
them may even serve to enhance the
virtues of maturer age. Sometimes
such experiences become the foun
dation of a nobler and more purpose
ful life and then they may be recalled
without regret. But it is a poor life
that does not improve with age and
the world's life will be unrounded
and incomplete if it is not profited by
the knowledge and experience of the
 f
166 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE

past.” It is not in me to controvert ample God's creation than any me

of
these words so seriously and truly dieval swashbuckler that ever drew
spoken, but with my new ally I was sword broke lance win the silly

of or

to
in the predicament of the man in the fancy foolish lady love. To my

a
Indian fable, who made an alliance mind Professor Hallam, who would
with the tiger and found, after he walk around block rather than

a
had bound himself with thongs to tread upon worm, greater man

is
a

a
that unconquerable beast, that he than Couer de Lion ever was, from
could not run away when he would. every intelligent point view.”

of
“I trust you will not be angry with “It may wrong and wicked,”

be
me father, if I seem to dispute with cried the beautiful woman vehement
you,” replied Miss Helen with un ly, with flashing eyes and flushed
yielding firmness, “but can that have face, “and can't help and

if

I is
it

it
I
been wholly bad in the past, which is don’t care; but am tired death

to
I
the source of all that is most beautiful this dreary monotony peace and

of

or of of
in the present? What is the inspira prosperity, and the ring spear

a
tion of poetry and great thoughts
all

head upon breastplate the clash

in a
but the high deeds which you impute swords glorious cause would
of

a
to the recklessness of the world's make sweeter music for me than all
youth? War cruel, but does not the piping herdsmen Utopia,—or
its
is

of
very cruelty provoke nobler sacrifices all the fiddlers of Ironia, for that mat
—as Mr. Barrington has said—and ter,” and bursting into tears she rose
a

more exalted heroism than the pip hastily from the table and left the
ing herdsmen Utopia ever dreamed room. “Well I’ll declare exclaimed
it of

!”
of? And may not the plan my host pushing back his chair.
be
in

of

creation that sunshine and storm, “Who can solve the female enigma?"
tears and laughter, love and hate, could not, but the one under con
I

war and peace, shall alternate like sideration had gratified me exceed
day and night
by

time?” ingly her strange conduct, though

to

the end
of

“My daughter,” answered her could not tell exactly why.

It
is
I

father gravely, am grieved said that women are past finding out
“I

the
at

low estimation which you seem and have never been careful inves
to
in

a
I

hold your country, and that condition tigator, but without understanding it.
which has been the desire the ages, the contemptuous reference
to

the
of

but you are entitled your opinions “fiddlers Ironia” braced me up im

of
to

and would not have you repress mensely.

I

them deference me. my With woman's penetration, prob

in

to

of It

a
is

faith though, that the plan crea ably Mrs. Morris saw further into the
tion contemplates the ultimate elim matter than any and saying
us
of

ination hate and strife and all evil something about girls heads being
of

whatsoever. And though he may not filled with romance she left the table
appeal youth and romantic im also and followed her daughter from
to

agination, the piping herdsmen the room. The meal had been con
of

Utopia, who tends his flocks and lives cluded some time before, and Miss
as

peace, with clean hands and up Morris' unexpected denouement

an
in

right heart, me, nobler ex the word may used here, had
be
to

if
is

a
 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE
very naturally put an end to the con
versation, my host led the way and
we adjourned to the library.
Ten or fifteen minutes after leaving
the dining room we were made aware
by the ringing of a gong that the car
riage had arrived and looking out I
saw a handsome vehicle with two
seats besides the driver's, standing at
the door. My host called for the ladies
and they came down immediately.
Miss Helen blushed as she entered
the room and approaching her father
with downcast eyes, kissed him on
the cheek. “How now, my young
renegade, what means this treason to
your country?” he exclaimed hold
ing her face between his hands and
looking at her with mock severity.
“It simply means that the country
is all right Ma Pere, but that I am
not ready for the millenium,” she re
plied smiling faintly and with that she
turned on me a glance that made my
heart bound and I mentally snapped
my fingers at the “fiddlers of Ironia.”
There was something in that glance
which said plainer than words, that
there was a bond between us and the
alliance would be continued. She was
attired for the drive in a blue flannel
gown buttoned to the throat like an
English riding habit, with jaunty cap,
and gloves to match. Her mother was
similarly dressed in a dark brown suit,
and without delay we passed out to
the carriage.
As we stood by the carriage, while
my host was giving the motorman
directions as to the course of the
drive. Mrs. Morris remarked that I
had best sit on the back seat with the
professor, as looking forward, it gave
a better opportunity for observation.
The seats faced each other and
whether it was by accident or design,
107
(I hoped the latter,) her mother had
no sooner spoken the words than
Miss Helen stepped forward and plac
ed her foot on the step to enter the
carriage. I helped her in and her
mother after her and then at another
lightning like flash of those wonder
ful eyes which conveyed more mean
ing than any mere words, I entered
the carriage and took my seat oppo
site to her. Professor Morris follow
ed taking his seat by my side and as
I looked into the face of the peerless
woman before me, so chaste and
beautiful, with just the suggestion of
a fine scorn in the curve of the ex
quisitely chiseled mouth and droop
ing eyelids, I felt that but for the
presence of others I must have fallen
on my knees before her. If Cupid had
let me pass through all the years be
fore, unscathed, he was atoning for
his dereliction by a most extraordin
ary display of archery, for with every
glance of those glorious eyes an ar
row seemed to quiver in my heart.
Never having experienced the senti
ment, sensation—or whatever it is—
of love, my resources in that direc
tion were untouched and I came to
it like a strong man to a race. I had
known this woman less than two days
and already I felt as if I had known
and loved her for years, so im
pressed upon my heart was every
feature of her face and every speak
ing glance of those marvelous un,
fathomable eyes. Indeed, by some
strange consciousness it began to
dawn upon me that I had looked
upon that face and into those eyes
before. \\ as there truth in the theo
sophical philosophy of Plato, or had
I seen her in a dream? It seemed in
credible to me that I had looked upon
her for the first time, only the day be
168 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE
fore. It could not be I could not in
so short a time have become so fa
miliar with every lineament and
every changing expression of quick
intelligence.
When we left my friend's door, we
did not go towards the capitol but in
another direction, through streets I
had not seen before. The houses
were unpretentious as a rule, built of
brick and stone mostly and every
where there was an appearance of
comfort without Ostentation. We
passed through miles of shaded
streets, by fountains and monuments,
through parks and pleasure grounds,
finding everywhere beauty, cleanli
ness and evidences of prosperity. We
passed houses of the most distin
guished men of the nation, including
those of the president, members of
the Supreme Cabinet and others emi
nent for their achievements in the
field of science and letters, and there
was no noticeable difference between
them and the residences of ordinary
citizens. There seemed to be no aris
tocratic quarter and when I proposed
to turn through the slums and suc
ceeded in making myself understood,
I was informed that there was no
slums and nothing corresponding to
them.
“Have you then reached that ideal
social state where you have no
poor?” I asked.
“We have at least reached that
ideal social state where we have no
rich,” answered the professor.
__:Indeed! Do you mean to say that
you have no wealthy class at all?”
“More,” replied my host: “that we
have no wealthy person at all.”
“What!” I exclaimed ; “not a
single rich man in the entire repub
lic 2''
"Not rich man, woman or
a single
child in the entire republic and never
can be,” was the answer.
“I shall not argue about this,” I
remarked after a few minutes re
flection, “and whether or not it is a
desirable condition, it is certainly a
peculiar one for a country like this,
that seems to be blessed, not only
with material resources of every de
scription, but with the skill and en
ergy to utilize them to the last de
gree. Will you explain to me why it
is that in such a country a man of in
dustry and good judgment does not
grow rich as elsewhere in the world.”
“For the same reason that a man
does not lift himself over a stile by
the straps of his boots,” answered the
professor facetiously. “Simply be
cause it is a feat impossible of ac
complishment.”
“But why? the conditions seem to
be most favorable.”
“In the first place,” said the pro
fessor," if it were not for debt, inter
est and unearned increment, men
could not become rich even where
they are not restrained; and in the
second place, here, where we have
none of these evils, we anticipate the
possibility of such a thing by legisla
tion which renders it impossible.”
“But that is what I wish to under
stand; how do you evade these evils
—as you call them, on the one hand
and anticipate them on the other?”
“Well,” replied the professor, “be
sides having no debt, interest or un
earned increment, which condition
itself is a bar to wealth, we have a
graduated income tax which would
reach the point of confiscation before
even moderate wealth, according to
your standards, is attained. For in
stance, all incomes above 800 diems,
 - FLORIDA. MAGAZINE 169

"..

l
are taxed ten per cent. and ten per money the way that will yield the

in
cent. for every additional four hun largest returns.”
dred diems, which limits the income “He may use any legitimate

in
it
forty four hundred diems, for way,” was the answer. “That
to

is,
at

la he
that point the tax takes the whole. may buy commodities employ

or
You see this tax limits incomes to bor engage any enterprise that

or

in
a
possible sum twelve hundred does not conflict with the statutes.
of
diems.” My statement though was absolutely
“But,” said “without asking true; there no such thing debt,

as
I,

is
it
argumentatively, how can you, who interest and unearned increment
stickler for justice even the most limited sense.”

in
are such the

in
a

abstract, justify this confiscation “Then you have no credit system

of
a
man's property, when, you claim, at all?" asked.
as

I
your system perfect that can “Our people do not know the
so
is

it

not be acquired by dishonest meth meaning the word credit, when ap

of
ods. plied transactions,”

to
commercial
replied the professor. man cannot
“Theoretically, unjust,” as

A
is
it

become debtor or creditor because

sented the professor, “but the ob
a
ject truly enlightened govern the law does not recognize any such
is of

conditions. The nearest approach

a

to
ment not much vindicate any
so

to

the binding force contracts,

of
secure the happi
is
it

ethical code,
to
as

but the statutes have been so careful

ness and welfare of its citizens.
If
so a

framed that the obligations con

ly

of
particular bull should grow horns
tracts cannot be made partake

to

of
much longer than the rest the herd
of

the nature debt. There being no

of

put mercy,
as
to

its

he
at

should
be
it

such thing debt, there can

as

dehorned although

of
might seem
it

no such thing
be

course interest.
as
cruel! not because he had acquired
And
by

the national exchange

as

his weapons unjustly, but because

having them puts system, nothing can sold for more
be

his power
to
in

be
it

than the average cost production,

of

unjust. We have ideal political con

ditions and one man cannot make much money
cannot conceive how
off of another man's labor.”
I

man with any amount money here,

of

could use “It seems then, that one object

oth
of

to the detriment
of
it

your government keep the peo

to

ers, but you remember Alexander's

is

ple poor!” “The object,” answered

boast that no city was impregnable
to

him, into which he could introduce the professor, “is not keep the peo
to

ple poor, but keep them

to

an ass laden with gold.” such

in

condition equality that one class

of

“When you stated just now that cannot take advantage another,
of

you had no such things debt, in but wealth and poverty are purely
as

terest and unearned increment,” relative terms and cannot be said

it
I

remarked, take that you intend that the object

“I

any more keep

it

to
is

convey the idea that these were

ed

poor than
to

all

them
all

make them
to

practical nulities above the limit fix rich. And when said that we had no
I
by

your income tax. Below that

ed

rich people, meant according

to
I

limit presume man may use his your standard and that the old
of
I

a
 170 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE

world. In the truest sense our people canals and navigable rivers and light
are for the most part rich, having ing, power, telephone and express

all
country abounding with resources services and franchises yield the de
of a

every kind which have been utiliz partment public utilities suffici

of

a
ed, and being protected from taxes, ent sum, together with the profits
interest and every form oppression derived from the national exchange

of
that could rob them of the fruits of system, meet all the expenses

to

of
their labor.” government.”
“And do you mean say that you see,” said “The profits all
to

“I

of
asked in

I.
have no taxes either?” this business go the government.”

to
I
credulously. “Practically none,” my “Yes, the government,” an–

to
friend answered. “We have gradu swered my friend, “for use fic

to

a
a
ated income tax, but only theory tion this kind convenient way

of
in

is
a
there no opportunity for ap its express the aggregate ownership
as

of to
is

plication and was only enacted the people.” can see but one
to

“I
it

guard against unforeseen contingen difficulty,” remarked, “and that

is
I
cies. There tax too, on all unused adjusting these tariffs and profits,
is

as in
a

land five per cent what cap impossible tell what they
of of

of

to
is

is
it

producing being ityield.”

able that what the will
state would get from was culti “That presents no difficulties,” was
it

in it
if

vated. But this results the gov the reply, “as the tariffs and percent
as

ernment owning all the unused ages for the ensuing year are based
of

land and any citizen can take pos on the expenses the government
as

of
session and hold all that he can the year before. For instance, the to
of

use, free charge himself his tal cost operating the government
to
of

of

heirs and assigns forever, that tax last year was about two hundred mil
I is

practically inoperative.” “Really,” lion diems of which about five and

a
exclaimed, “the more learn of this half millions are used defraying the
in
I

wonderful country, the more am expenses the government proper,

of
I

amazed But you have no taxes tell and the balance operating its ex
in
if
!

me how this model government changes and utilities. Assuming that

is

supported." the business these departments will

of

“The bureau of subsistence and the the same this year last,
be

as

is
to it

department public utilities supply simple arithmetical problem fix

of

the means necessary for the expenses the tariffs raise the necessary
to

the government,” answered the amount. As matter fact though,

of

of
a

professor. “Will you explain me making up the budget for any year,
to

a in

how this done?” asked. “It cer– very liberal margin allowed and
is

is
I

tainly must very complicated the excess thus accruing expended

be

is
a

system.” by the department progression

of

in

“On the contrary,” replied the scientific experimentation and new

professor, “it extremely simple utilities.” “You say the actual cost
so
is

that every merchant and farmer government last year, outside

of

of
in

your country puts practice the running your railroads, exchanges

in

in
it

conduct his business. Freight and other utilities, was about five and
of

and passenger tariffs the railroads. half million diems: what diem P”
on

is
a

a
 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE 171

“It is the value of a day's work and tation and other public utilities prob
is the unit of our financial system. It ably does not exceed one-half what

of
is about the value of an American dol

by
they are countries dominated

in
lar.” wealth.” had never had any com

I
“And what is the population of the mercial training, but knew that

it
I
republic?” cost way from ten one hun

all
the

of to
“A little over fifty millions.” dred per cent the value any pro

of
“It seems incredible,” said I, “that duct the United States get out

to
in

it
fifty millions of people can be gov the hands the producer and into

of

of
erned for this sum and—” those of the consumer. “What the

in is
“Say served for this sum !” inter total business of this vast trust all
rupted the professor. branches?” asked.

I
“Well served for that sum and I “Something like four billions

of
cannot understand it in any other diems,” replied the Professor.
light than that your people have ad Fifty millions people one

of

in
vanced to a higher plane of intelli great trust and that organized

so
gence and morality than the people

!
and safe-guarded that no member
of other countries.”
could ever take advantage another.

of
“It may be said without egotism could scarcely conceive such

of

a
that they have advanced to a some
I

thing, but was extremely simple

in
it
what higher plane of intelligence.” theory and there was, successful

in
it
said the professor, “for the results of operation right before my eyes.
it are here to show; but I do not
am beginning comprehend

to
“I

think they are any better morally.

something your wonderful scheme
of

Morality and religion is the surplus

government, remarked, “but

as
“I
of

crop here, as in America and every

one the first things learned after
where else. They do not rob and op
of

leaving my ship was that you do not

press because they have combined
use metal money medium ex
as

for mutual protection against each of

a

change, am curious learn some

to

Other."
I

thing your financial system. How

of

“The entire government seems to

does your medium exchange orig
is of

be run on the principles of a great

inate and on what based?"
it

trust or corporation," I remarked.

believe,” said the Professor,
“I

“That's just exactly what it is,” re

plied my friend. It is the logical end without answering my question,
and culmination of trusts and mo “that our financial system near
as
is

nopoly. It is a trust formed of the perfect anything human origin

as

of

can be."
whole people for purposes of governs
“And you not think your whole
do

ment, commerce, transportation, ed

ucation and everything else that per governmental scheme perfect?"
is

tains to their welfare. The cost of the asked surprise.

in
I

entire system in its branches, op “No indeed,” replied my friend.

all

erative, legislative, judicial, educa “It ideal comparison with what

in
is

tional and penal, amounts an im has been accomplished the world

to

in

post about five per cent, on com before, but the final perfect govern
of

merce, while the tariffs for transpor ment government all."

no

at
is
172 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE

“Why Professor, you cannot mean manipulation the financiers who

of
anarchy!" I exclaimed. own and control all

it,
commerce

in
“O no,” he answered, “just no commodities becomes mere shut

a
government. When people become tlecock the hands the money

of of
in
fully civilized and Christianized, and masters, and the value everything,
that narrow delusion called patriot their medium, subject their

it to
in

is
ism gives place to world-wide frater will. Under such conditions, not

is
nalism, there will be no necessity- for strange that country where plen

in
.

a
government or laws.” produced for all, few roll

ty

in
is

a
“For goodness sake,” I cried, wealth and luxury, while many suf
*
“leave something for heaven and fer for the actual comforts of life.

It
hereafter! But this monetary sys not strange either, that those who

is
tem, tell me something about that.” control the money are the ones that
“It is all comprehended in these roll wealth, while those who do all

in
propositions,” said the Professor. the work and produce all the com

of
The value of anything is what it is modities grovel want. This the

in

of is
worth to man; and it is honestly result ignorance on the part the

of
worth to one man what it costs an producing masses and about on

is

a in a
other man to produce Value par with that fabled transaction
in
it.

medium exchange can only inhere which were concerned two cats,
of

when that medium commodity monkey and piece cheese. the

In
of

of
is

a
a

intrinsic worth, when represents place that crude and unjust system,
or

of
it

such commodity, and then its value the Iron Republic employs scien

a
a

exactly that the article repre tific method that just all. The

is to
of

is
it
is

sents.” value every product scientific

of

“Very well, go on.” pro

by

ally fixed the average cost

of
“Where there are no exchangeable duction, and when man produces
a

commodities value, there can be anything the great

he

delivers
of

to
it

no honest medium exchange be popular trust called the government

of

cause there no exchangeable com and receives therefor its assientos,

it is

modity for represent. Here, the which are certificates its value and
of
to

value everything based on the deposit. As everything that pro

of

is
is

average cost production, and when duced placed escrow just the
of of

in
is

passes out the hands the pro same, these assientos are exchange
of
it

ducer, he entitled its value able for any other commodity

on
to

the
in
is

anything else may want. same basis value. These assientos

of
In
he

crude state society this exchange then, are the circulating medium and
byof

effected bartering one article not diem them can exist outside
of
is

for the other directly, by convert the national exchange unless its
or

of

ing them into pieces metal other value some commodity exists with
or
of

in

unscientific forms money un As long there diem's

of
of

as
it.
in

in is
a

certain arbitrary value and using worth any commodity the hands
or

of

medium exchange. But the government exchange, there

as

of

as

of
it

to is
a

this medium an uncertain quantity, outstanding, somewhere, diem

is

depending on the discovery mines. represent that commodity. When

of

the vagaries legislation and the that commodity withdrawn for

of

is
 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE 17:3

consumption the diem is absorbed by merely on account of that conven

the government and the financial in
cident is closed. These assientos are
numbered and dated and must go
through the exchange once a year,
either in exchange for commodities
or new assientos, (they are re-issued
every year), so if any are lost or de
stroyed, after the date of the annual
funding they are made good to the
loser, if he has preserved the numbers
so that his loss can be identified. Un
ience. The exchange fixes the price
though of everything and the cater
ers are only paid enough more to pay
for this convenience as the exchange
is open for all. Of course this ap
plies only to the commodities that
are handled in the exchange; there
are many commodities, perishable
goods, confectioneries and an endless
variety of gimcracks, that are not re
ceived into the exchange at

all
and
der this system no great store of

by
are dispensed the caterers.”
money can be hoarded anywhere, “Your absolute cash system un
and there is no temptation in that di doubtedly saves vast amount loss

of
a
rection as it cannot be made to yield and litigation,” said “but men are

I,
interest or increment. In carrying compelled have accommodation

to
out this great governmental trust suffer, and that, seems me
or

to

is
it
four billions of diem are issued and where your system would work great
absorbed annually, and so the great hardship.”
financial tide ebbs and flows with the “If there was no remedy,” replied
regularity and certainty of the tides the Professor, “it were still better
of the ocean. Best of all, no man can that few should suffer than many,
a

receive value until he produces value, but the system provides even against
and so we have a great human hive this. man has nothing he

is
If
in a

a
in which there are no drones. This pauper, the language your

of
may seem to you a small volume of country, and could not get accommo
business for so large a nation, but as dation there nor anywhere else.

If
middle men are practically eliminat has non-perishable property
he

to of
ed and there is no wasteful competi any kind though, here, can go
he

tion, a mutual exchange of commod the exchange his commonwealth

in

ities is effected with much less trad and get assientos the amount
to

of

ing than in your country.” fifty per cent the value the
of

of

“And have you no merchants at propert without interest. Of course

all.” I asked. must give bond for this value
he

“O yes,” was the answer, “we have

by

signed freeholders protect the

to

a considerable number of men engag exchange against loss."

ed in supplying the wants of the peo “Referring these assientos,
to

is
it

ple, besides those employed at the not possible counterfeit them?"

to

exchange, but they can hardly be asked.

called merchants, they are in real “It might done,” answered the
be

as
ity caterers. They establish them Professor, “although they are print
selves in locations more convenient
on

specially prepared paper, but

as ed

to the people of certain sections than every man who passes one may be
the exchange and receive a small ad required would be
it,

endorse
to

it

vance over the exchange prices like counterfeiting bank check

in
a
174 F'L() i.
your country, which can be done by
anybody. The penalty though, is se
vere, and as we have no idle class,
there is no criminal class, and any
kind of a misdemeanor is a rare oc
currence in this country.”
“I should think," I remarked,
”that having to endorse these assien
tos in every small transaction would
be annoying."
“They are not used in small trans
actions,” was the reply. “They may
be deposited and converted into
fractional currency at any postof
fice.”
“Indeed, and what are the denom
inations of your money?”
"Our lowest denomination is the
minum, which represents five minutes
labor. Then we have three minutes,
six minutes, and the hora, which is sup
posed to represent an hours work and
as a day's work here is eight hours,
the hora is worth about twelve and a
half cents in your money. Above
this, we have the quarter diem, half
diem and diem. In the larger de
nominations there are one, two
three, five and ten diems. Money
here represents labor and labor is
made the basis, or unit, if I may use
that term, of its value. Twelve mi
nums make a hora; eight horas make
a diem.”
While this conversation, so dry
and uninteresting to the ordinary
reader, was going on, many places of
inferest were pointed out to me and
I was keenly alive to the beauties of
the city through which we were rap
idly propelled. Afterwards we pass
ed out into the country, where on
every hand were the same evidences
of prosperity I had seen in the city.
Modest but comfortable houses,
paved roads, every resource of na
11) 1 1/4 G.12 IN E
ture taxed to the last degree to sub
serve the convenience of man.
“It must have taken a great while,”
I remarked, “for people to reduce
the art of living to this point of per
fection." -
“On the contrary,” replied my
friend, “the change was wrought in a
very few years. When the people
found that it paid to live in this intel
ligent, scientific way and the spirit of
reform got in the air, they went at it
with a vim.”
We were going through a pleas
ant, shady lane, on one side of which
were some cattle standing under the
trees and on the other, a man plow
ing in a field with a horse—the first I
had seen. We were yet some dis
tance from the farm house when
hearing a humming noise behind us
I looked around and saw a box or a
car about as long and thick and about
half as wide as a square piano run
ning towards us on two cables
stretched on poles. I had noticed
these cables and a lot of other wires
but I had not learned all of their uses.
“Here's another new one on me!" I
cried, standing up in the carriage to
see the thing go by.
“That is the rural express,” said
the Professor, laughing, and then he
directed the motorman to keep up
with it until we passed the farm house
that I might have an opportunity to
see it work if it should have some
thing to deliver there. It was run
ning about thirty miles an hour and
we spurted along by it till it passed
the house. The box or carrier ran
eight or ten feet above the ground
and when it reached a pole in front of
the house, one of a number of knobs
or cranks that projected from the
side of it engaged a pin on the pole
 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE 175.

and several packages were thrust out the line of the circuit and were run
of the rear end of it and dropped into ning continuously. This section

of
a box-like receptacle attached to the country was elevated plateau and

an
pole just below. A gong was rung to the northward could be seen the
at the same time and a lady came out blue outlines the Illyrian hills.

of
of the house, lowered the box with a The afternoon was perfect with an
pulley and took out the packages. Indian summer haze, and as we trav
This rural delivery, the Professor told eled the rate about twenty

of
at
me, was one of the newest of the pub miles an hour we traversed wide ex

of a
utilities and was just being intro territory. Scenes Arcadi
lic

tent

of
had proved beauty were spread out every

an
duced. success and
It

the department progress intend where, and thought the miser

of

as

of
I
ed put them on throughout the able hirelings and wage earners
to

of
Republic. They were run from the America and the old world, the sweat
exchanges and postoffices and car shops and crowded tenements, the
ried, besides mail, packages up dwarfed and stunted lives that result
to

twenty pounds weight. The cables from the mad struggle for wealth,

I
also carried electric light and power said feelingly, would God the

“I

to
currents and the carriers ran cir poor my country could come here
to in

of

going on round and back when they die; would

be
cuits the heaven

to
it
starting point when empty. Several them
'''

them passed while we were on (To be continued.)

us
of

FLORIDA SHEEP HERD-Citrus County.

A
 FLORIDA T1AGAZINE
VOL. 5 OCTOBER, 19 O2

The Iron Republic.

RICHARD JAMESON MORGAN,

[All Rights Reserved.]

HAT more could heaven would grow tired of compre

it,
44
be 3' exclaimed the Pro

I
hended something the ennui that

of
fessor, stretching out his made life tiresome to her even so

in
hand toward the lovely undulating blest country. And again snap
a
Iro

I
fields. “To live, to labor and to ped my fingers the “fiddlers

of
to at
love! Is that not heaven? Un nia,” for said myself—although

I
of I
harrowed by galling apprehension of knew little the female heart—"no
poverty and want, walking the sweet woman would become ennuied with
sequestered vale of life and taking this glorious country she had re

if
from the hands of all-providing, be ally learned love and the object

of
to

neficent nature every good and beau her love were here !"

tiful thing that can minister to our We encountered motorcycles

of
wants, what more can heaven be than every description and passed through
an endless continuation of the same? several shires where the national ex
And this would be the condition of change buildings, postoffices and
the whole world if men could learn public schools, looked like the build
the unwisdom of selfishness or were ings some old barony monas
or
of of

but wise enough to combine for mu tery the middle ages, but with what
tual protection against themselves!" difference! These people were
a

His wife gazed upon him with af great and free with no feudal masters
fectionate admiration, but the beau fatten and fight, shaveling
or
to

tiful daughter looked away listlessly priests feast and fatten on the
to

as though she were bored with it all.
I felt, with a pang of disappointment,
that this beautiful woman must after
all be shallow and feelingless, but
when, a moment later, she turned to
fruits of their toil. Each for all and
all for each, not because they were
more unselfish than their less fortun
ate fellowmen but because they had
learned that only few could
be
a

me with a wistful look in her eyes great and rich, and acting with the
and asked me if I did not think that if wisdom and power that belonged
to

one had been born in heaven and had the majority, they had mutually
never lived anywhere else, they agreed that none should rich and
be
184 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE

none great except in a noble and un giant's castle, rose sheer the height

to
selfish way that made the greatness nearly hundred feet, over the

of

a
of one the common heritage and edge which some places fell

of

in
pleasure of all. great festoons flowering vines.

of
Making a wide detour we came to “Those lovely banks,” said the pro
the Urbana river and followed its fessor, after had admired their pic

I
course back to the city. It was as turesque beauty, “were once crown
picturesque as the Hudson but ed with the villas of the manufactur
no palaces lined its banks. Modest ing, commercial and financial barons
and unpretendig cottages, comforta this country. The masses labored

ble and adequate; many of them
beautiful in design, but all simple and
unostentatious, as though built more
for use than to advertise the station
of the owner, faced the wide boule
of
for them, the great river toiled for
them. Now, where pretentious pal
aces once vied with each other to ad
vertise their owner's wealth, stand
the happy homes people who

of
a
vard that ran by the river like the are neither masters nor slaves, and
long winding streets of an old fashion the great river too, masterless, for

is
ed American village. We had reach lo, works for all!”
it

ed the great dam only a few miles At this moment the great sun dis
from the city and stopped to look at appeared behind the horizon and

as
the public buildings where the mil the broad amber bars light flashed

of
lion horse power of the mighty river up and expanded like flaming ban
was transmuted into that subtle, in ners the sky, deep solemn chime
in

comprehensible force that night and music came rolling grandly down
of

day, ran hundreds of miles of rail from towards the city whose outlines
road, thousands of electric lights, ru could but dimly discerned against
of be

ral express carriers, mills and other the background night that loomed
public utilities. behind. On came the music, stately
“See "said the professor as the sun and grand became the time and
as

touched the horizon, a great ball of scene. Sinking deep sweet sym
to

fire, “the grand old sun after light phonies that seemed breathe the
to

ing and warming us day, will still spirit blest contentment and repose
it of
all

anon swelled magnificent burst

by

to

this water has lifted from the

us he

sea, work for night glorious music that carried note

of of
all

was
!”

It

beautiful. Far up the river dis exultation and triumph like the ex
to
a

tant bend, the water above the dam ulting pean world wide victory
of

of
a

lay smooth and placid and flashed the ages. Unconsciously uncovered
I

like silver. On one side steep wood my head under the spell the divine
of
a

ed bank descended from the bottle nocturne and every direction far
as
in

vard the water's edge where were as could see; on the boulevard or
in
to

rustic seats and boathouses inter boats upon the river, men stopped
at

vals along. On the other side wall and listened reverentially the
to
as
a

rock, perpendicular some places, Angelus. For ten minutes the glor
of

in

and seamed and serrated like the ious strain swelled from the “tower
rough chased facade old music,” rolled out over the fading
of

some
of
 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE
landscape, and echoed and reverber
ated along the walls and cliffs of the
winding river. And then ceasing,
with a flash, ten thousand electric
lights punctuated the gathering
darkness and the great city gleamed
in flashing outline like the realization
of a fairy scene in a story of the Ara
bian Nights.
I looked at my host. His eyes were
closed, he sat with such an expression
of deep solemnity and peace upon his
noble face, that I felt a thrill of awe
as though in the presence of an in
spired prophet of the olden time. I
turned my eyes to the queenly wo
man that sat before me and the spell
had worked not less powerfully on
her. Her head was thrown back, her
hands were clasped and from her half
closed eyes the tears were running
down her cheeks. That music was a
man's soul, the soul of genius, lav
ishing itself on earthborn clods with
such beauty and power as for the mo
ment to make them too, feel that they
were divine. And what was I in the
presence of a spirit like this? In the
exaltation of that moment so gross
a thing as jealousy could not abide
and I felt myself a glow worm with
the sunshine beating upon me.
“Fiddlers of Ironia !” Never again
could I force my lips to frame those
words. No one spoke save the mo
torman, who when the music ceased
and the last rhythmic wave was lost
in the dark'ning reaches of the river,
uttered a deep “amen,” and at a sig
nal from my host, pulled sharply on
his lever and we shot away towards
the city.
-
The critical reader may observe
that the conversation and discussions
just recorded are better suited to an
185
industrial congress than a drawing
room or carriage ride through a
beautiful country in the company of
beautiful women. But it must be re
membered that the astounding con
ditions by which I was surrounded
were entirely new to me. It was as if
a man should be born full grown into
the wonders of the 20th century, and
as a student and politician my envi
ronment impressed me no less by the
wherefore than facts of its existence.
When an inquisitive boy gets hold
of a mechanical toy he scarcely awaits
to see it operate before going into it
to see how it operates. And so, while
I was charmed and enthused by my
surroundings and interested in my
companions, (deeply in one of them),
the emotion of curiosity was upper
most in my mind. The facts of the ex
istence of amazing facts were broad
cast before me everywhere. The
wherefore of their existence I was
reaching after greedily. If I may use
such an expression, the is-ness was
like world bathed in sunlight. The
a
why-ness like cloud drifts breaking
over the horizon and floating to
wards me.
All of us being somewhat fatigued
with the long afternoon drive, we sat
up only long enough after the even
ing repast to take a resume of the
day and then retired. The next morn
ing I held a conversation with Cap
tain Brent over the telephone and
then took the train for Aegia. The
duties of his office prevented Prof
essor Morris from accompanying me
and I anticipated rather a dull ride.
but I had no sooner entered my com
partment than I discovered that I
was in the company of an original
character.
1S6; FLORI 1)-1
“Peace be unto you brother,” said
he as I took my seat opposite to him
in the car.
“The same to you my friend,” I
replied, not knowing what else to say.
“Do you live in this God forsaken
city of the plain?” he asked waving
his hand in a general way towards
the world outside.
“Only a temporary sojourner.”
said I, surprised at his words and the
solemn tones of condemnation with
which they were uttered.
“Even a temporary sojourn in
Sodom will do you hurt my brother,”
said he sententiously. “Come out
from among them and be ye separ
ate '" saith the Holy Book. Lot was
only a temporary sojourner in the
city of the plain, but if you will read
his subsequent history in the Divine
Allegory you will admit that it could
not have been any worse with him if
he had lived there all his life. These
things were written in the Divine Al
legory for our guidance in real life
and we do well to take heed lest we
too partake of evil and so bring ruin-
upon us.”
"Sir,” I said looking at him in as
tonishment, “I am a stranger here
and I must confess that your lan
guage is beyond my comprehension.
If I may make bold to ask, who and
what are you?”
“I perceive that you are indeed a
stranger," remarked the man with
an unconscious swell of pride in his
voice, “or you would not need to ask
that question. I am the voice of one
crying in the wilderness prepare ye
the way of the Lord, make His paths
straight! My name is Moses and I
am the founder and head of the
Zionists. Unto us is committed the
MAGAZINE
work of repairing the broken down
walls that the people may go in and
out in peace. Have you not read the
'Torchlight of Truth?’” I assured
him that I had never seen it.
“Aha!” he cried, clenching his fist
and shaking it at the universe at
large. “The powers of darkness con
spire to keep the light from the peo
ple but the truth is mighty and will
prevail. Read this (pulling out a
newspaper, the first I had seen, from
a pile under the seat and handing it
to me), and when you have read it
change your garments, wash your
flesh in pure water and come into the
fellowship of Zion.”
I glanced at the paper which was
printed in old English and saw that
it was made up like many similar
American publications of lamenta
tions, proclamations and execrations
and was against everything in gener
al and the Iron Republic in particu
lar.
“Why is it,” I asked “that you em
ploy newspapers while all other news
and general intelligence is diffused by
the telephone?”
“Because of a conspiracy sir, a
damnable conspiracy!” pounding his
knee with his fist. “In the beginning
we put it on the news service, but it
was excluded by the department of
public utilities on the ground that it
monopolized more than half the ser
vice while it was demanded by only a
few people. And yet sir, we put on
only about one hundred thousand
words a day. Think of it sir, the Di
vine Truth suppressed because there
was much of it and only a few people
wanted to hear it! The very reasons
why it should have been given even if
it monopolized the whole service"
 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE 187

“I don't quite agree with you
there,” I interrupted. “As citizens of
the Iron Republic as I understand it
and contributing to its maintainance,
I should say you were entitled to the
benefit of the news service in the pro
portion that your numbers compare
with the population of the country at
large. No more than that, but cer
tainly that much if it is the ideally
drawing lots and putting Smith,
Smate and Smathers in Office over
His people? because they happened
to draw their seals out of a wheel? I
say no! He called and anointed his
servants to rule over His heritage, to
give laws and make His will known
to men '"
“Ah!” I exclaimed, catching his
drift, “you mean that rulership

all
representative government that it is should those only

be
the hands

of
in
claimed to be." who are called and inspired for that
“God's curse on the ideally repre purpose.”
sentative government it is claimed to “That exactly what mean,” he

is

I
be '" shouted my strange companion answered. “If the people are ruled by
violently. “What does it represent men who are divinely called that

to
sir? Men, not God! The human and high function, they must ruled ac

be
not the Divine! God is the creator of cording the will the Supreme

to

of
all things in heaven and earth and Ruler which the only perfect way.”

is
should rule in both, not men. I am “But how could we know who were
happy to say that Zionists do not con called these high offices?” ven
to to

I
tribute to the maintanance of such a tured enquire.
government except in so far as they “How did the people know the

in
are compelled to by the use of the Divine Allegory that Moses and
public utilities. They have things in Samuel and Paul and David were
common and hold themselves aloof called Because was revealed to
it

from the exchanges so that they can these men and they made known

it
not be taxed for the support of such the people. How do know that
to

I
an iniquitous Babylon.” have been called to rule this nation
“My dear sir,” I remarked quietly, the name of the Lord? Because
in

it
“I am a stranger to you and your has been revealed to me and must
I

creed and do not wish to enter into make known to stubborn and stiff
it

any discussion, but I cannot concieve necked race, whether they will hear
how the creator of the world can rule whether they will forbear. The
or

in it except as he does by the laws of powers darkness are leagued

of

nature which seem to me to be inade against the truth, but the arm the
of

quate for the government of a civ Lord not shortened and He will
is

ilized state.” triumph gloriously over His ene

“You cannot see how the Creator mies!”
can rule the world!” he exclaimed. “So mentally ejaculated,
!”

“None are so blind as those who “cranks are not the result environ
of

will not see. Read my book on ment, but our common human na
of

“Theory of Divine Government!’ ture for they breed them even the
in

How did He rule Israel in the Divine Iron Republic.

Allegory? Was it by voting and “My friend.” remarked, not wish
I
188 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE

ing to argue with him as I had had
some experience with this genus in
America, “I have no controversy
with you, being at the present time a
student, an humble pupil of any who
will teach me; but several times you
have referred to a divine allegory.
What do you mean by that, the
Bible?”
“Where are they?” I replied still
further confused by his domineering
insistance, “why they are where they
have always been too, of course.”
“Well my brother you ask me to
teach you and yet you appear to
know far more than I do. I have been
through every province of the coun
try and have circumnavigated

its
“The Divine Allegory, my brother, coast and have failed to find these
is the Holy Word that has been given places anything answering

or

to
to man in figures and emblems for his them.”

,
guidance in the stern realities of ac “Why man,” exclaimed amaze

in
tual life. It is called the Bible, or

I
ment, “they are not the Iron Re

in
Word, and gives us knowledge of the public, but on the other side the

of
will and relations of the Divine to the world!','
human.” tell you have been all through
“But,” I asked, “why do you call it “I

I
and all around it,” said he contempt
an allegory? Is it not a record of the uously, “and repeat they do not ex

I
real facts of God's dealings with ist.”
man?” “What!” I asked, being now con
“Why certainly not,” he replied! vinced that the man was daft, “do you
that were impossible.” mean say, that there no world
to

is
“But why impossible?” I persisted. beyond the confines this Iron Re
“Simply because there is no pos public?” of
sible basis for such real facts. Where mean say that this the
to
“I

it is
is your Egypt and Palistine and Je world and there any other has
is
if

rusalem and Babylon in real life? never been discovered.”

Where is your Dead Sea and Mount “Why my friend,” exclaimed,
I

Sinai and Rome and Athens?” And “your own histories must record the
he gave me a look of pitying triumph. fact that this country was settled by
“Where?” I retorted somewhat colonists from England late the
as

as

confused by his confident air, bluff sixteenth century!”

ed, as we say in America, “why they “Lies!” said snapping his fing
he

are where they have always been, of ers contemptuously. “Scholastic lies
course. Egypt is in Africa, Palistine to deceive the credulous and make
is in Asia, Rome is in Italy and Ath foundation for evil practices. The
ens is in Greece. What's the matter children of the Truth know better.”
with you anyhow, been eating “Now see here.” said warming
I

prunes?” up and getting interested spite

in

of

“So my brother!” (with a commis the whole thing, “you have literature,
erating leer.) “do you cover one im hundreds books, histories, philoso
of

possibility with another! Where then phies, poems that were written
in

is your Africa, Asia, Italy and other countries; how then can you
Greece P” deny their existence?”
 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE 189

“Lies all,” he replied waving his up mid air, trains cars, far below

of
in
hand scornfully as if to brush them looked like great, black, jointed

us
out of the way. “All lies my brother.” worms crawlingswiftly along the
“You have had ships and men earth and the crispness the rarified

of
come here from America during your atmosphere would have chilled

us
life time; there are men here now that but for the exercise driving the

of
were born in that country!” great double aeroplane.
“All lies!” he reiterated. “Cun was exhilerating the highest

to
It
ningly devised fables to deceive the degree we swung around great

as

in
unwary, but the children of the Truth ascending circles hurtled quiver

or
know better.” ing down through the air long to

in
“The devil! I'm from America my boggan slides, leap up again

to

as
self!” though sprung from catapult, when
“Lies, all li— —”

a
the steering fan was dipped. Helen
“Thunderation "
I cried seizing Morris never looked more beautiful
him by the collar and yanking him than we swung side by side under

as
out of the seat. “Do you mean to call the aeroplane and surveyed the pan
me a lie?” orama the earth below. During

of
“Help! Help!” he shouted lustily, the year our acquaintance had

of

I
“the man is crazy!” made no more progress loving

or
in
“You are crazy yourself, you in love making than on the first day we

£
fernal old loon!” I shouted shaking met. Always kind, sympathetic,
him all over the seats. sometimes almost tender, she never
“Friends! fellowmen save me worshipful dis
theless held me at
a
me from the clutches of this maniac!” tance, never repulsing, but always re
he appealed to the other passengers. pressing me way that convinced
in

old
a

“Come and take this my

me that suit was not disagreeable,
lunatic off my hands!” I shouted, still —but hopeless. No slighting refer
holding on to him. And so as we surg ence had been made to Professor
ed back and forth and other pas
Hallam since the day when her
in
sengers began climbing over seats impetuous argument with her father
to get to us, a gong sounded and a she sneered the fiddlers Ironia,
of
at

moment later the car ran down on indeed,

and her conduct afterwards
the siding at Aegia and the doors indicated repentance for her hasty
flew open. and unjust words, for her subse
in

:: :: ::
*::

>k
::

quent manner towards him my

::
::

in

We must have been fifteen hun presence she seemed desirous

to

dred feet above the earth and from make atonement by being especially
that high altitude had most magnif kind. She was interested me, that
in
a

icent view. Mountains could be was sure of, and when achieved
I

the blue distance, and rivers some notoriety winning the some
by

seen
in

winding through sunny fields with what famous “gangplow" case

here and there lake that flashed like against the state, and began
be
to
a

silver. Many towns and villages were talked about the brilliant attorney
as

visible from where we floated high from America. her elation was so sin
190 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE

cere and apparent as to give me the dence,” She replied blushing and
hope that I had won two suits at the laughing.
same time; but when I would have “His was sad fate,” said “but

I,
as a
improved the occasion to press my not sad mine, for he was shut

so
claim for her heart and hand, she pro out forever from the sight the bliss

of
tested declaring with tears that I which he had lost, while alas, must

I,
gave her great pain and begged me endure the double grief losing

of
to desist. Notwithstanding, she seem what more than heaven to me and

is
ed to be happier with me than with then seeing another enjoy what
Professor Hallam and I reached the

I
have lost!” She blushed deeply and
conclusion after close observation dropped her eyes before my ardent
that her hand had been promised to gaze, and then turning her head look
him and she was too proud or too ed away towards the blue hills that
true to draw back when she found broke the northern horizon.
that her heart could not be given “After all,” she said, and speaking,
with had yielded my fate and as much to herself as to me, “after
to
it.
I

while improving every opportunity all, the Christian philosophy teaches

bask her presence, no more that the real heaven and true, the
to

in

spoke my love. But this glorious peace which above earthly pas

all
of

is
afternoon repress sion, much the fruit sacrifice

of
found hard
as
to

is
it
I

the promptings my heart. She love. And turning her eyes full
as
of
of

looked happy and nature seem upon me, “perverse and impulsive
all
so

as
glad, that could not bring my am sometimes, yet believe that
ed
so

I
I
I I

self feel that was finally reject am capable suffering rather than
to

of
a

ed lover. that should be the wilful cause of

I

The novelty and delight my po suffering another.” began ve

of

to in

sition made me again doubt the re hemently I

protest against any phil
to

ality looking into her eyes osophy that would make two people
all

and
of
it

that beamed as tender as the blue miserable for the chance making
of

sky above us, said “this must one happy, when my ear caught the
be
I

heaven materialized and moderniz sound wavering melody above

of
a

ed.” “If so, then good many feat us, which seemed to come down from
a

ures were eliminated the process,” heaven itself.

in

replied my fair companion. “Hark! What that sweet

is

care not what lacking long sound?” My companion listened

so
“I

is

as that featurewhich makes heav moment and then her face clouded.
it

here,” said, looking straight “Don’t you know? That

be

en Professor
is
I

into her deep brown eyes. Hallam and his eolian harp following
“And pray what that?” she ask us. Let's dip and jerking the steer
is

!”

ed. ing fan with all her force, we flew

“The angelic!" down an aerial incline five hundred
“But for the testimony the feet more with such velocity al
of

or

as

Good Book which records that he most take my breath. making

In
to

was cast out, would be tempted these dips downward glides, only
to

or
I

retort that Lucifer also evi slight inclination necessary

in
is

to
is
a
 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE
send the aeroplane whizzing through
the air with the speed of an arrow,
but my companion, either with reck
less abandon or by accident, threw,
our machine down almost to an angle
of forty-five degrees and when, at the
bottom of the incline, the head was
thrown up to make it leap into the
air again, the great aeroplane bellied
upward with a strain that made the
frame bend and quiver and then with
a report like the crack of a pistol it
burst almost from end to end and
seeming to shudder for a moment,
began to drop towards the earth.
In this moment of deadly peril, I
believe that all that was best and nob
lest in me asserted itself and like a
flash it occurred to me that the rent
canvas while not sufficient to bear up
two would probably drop gently
enough with one to avoid fatal con
sequences. With the thought came
the resolve and in less than a second
after the aeroplane began to fall I had
thrown loose the strap that bound
me to my seat and rising upon the
pedal leaned over until my lips al
most touched the blanched face of
the woman I loved, and shouted,(for
the whipping of the rent canvas made
a noise like that of a hurricane.) “it
is death for one and I love you and
can die for you!” “Then let it be
death for both,” she cried letting oro
of the bar and throwing both arms
around my neck with a vice-like
grip, “for I love you and cannot live
without you!”
“One kiss, oh my darling!" press
ing my lips to hers with a thrill that
made me to forget the peril of death,
and then throwing myself forward,
dropped from the pedal. But the fair
arms about my neck were strong and
191
though I struggled to break loose,
knowing that the velocity at which
we were falling meant certain death
for both of us, they held me fast.
Down, down we fell with a quivering
fluttering motion like a winged bird
dropping to earth, and choked to
blindness and suffocation I was ex
pecting to feel the impact that would
crush us against the ground, when I
became dimly conscious of a fierce
shrieking sound above us and then
Our downward motion seemed to be
arrested. A moment later we struck
the earth with a shock that seemed
to break every bone in my body.
With a great wave of thankfulness I
realized that we were saved and dis
engaging the fair arms that still
wound around my neck like bands of
steel, I struggled to my feet and hast
ily unbuckling the strap that bound
the beautiful form of my heart's idol
to the wrecked machine, dragged her
fainting from under the aeroplane.
My first concern was to ascertain
if she were killed or injured and lay
ing her gently on the grass I found to
my unspeakable joy that she was
alive and bore no marks of injury.
Doosing the close fitting bodice at
the throat that she might breathe
more freely, and fanning her vigor
ously with my handkerchief, I was re
warded in a few moments by seeing
her open her eyes and look up at me
with an expression of inexpressible
tenderness.
“O my love!” she said holding up
her hands to me, “then you would in
deed have died for me!”
“A thousand times.” I cried rapt
urously, seizing her hands and cover
ing them with kisses. “Now you shall
be mine forever and ever!”
192 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE

“No, no, it cannot be '" she ex mansions, (where there no marry

is
claimed hastily, withdrawing her ing and giving marriage, but all

in
hands and springing to her feet. are the angels God love and

as

of

in
“What does this mean?" running purity,)—I may accounted worthy

be
back to the aeroplane with an ex of the humblest station in their
pression of terror. I followed her and sphere, content. And yet

be
shall

I
saw with astonishment that another she loved me and not him!
aeroplane was foul with ours and lay Kneeling by him raised the noble

I
upon “What indeed!” cried, head and chafed the poor broken
it.

hands that held within them the po

I
siezing the end and lifting up.
of
it

it
“Oh, don't you,-can't you see tency such divine harmony the

as
of
that Professor Hallam's? Don't world will never hear again, but the
is
it

you see his harp? Oh my God!” and great soul had passed Death was

'
with shuddering cry horror she doubtless instantaneous, for though
of
a

covered her face with her hands and his face was unmarred his body was
fell upon her knees moaning and cry horribly crushed and broken. Dis
ing. patching one the bystanders

to to
of
Then dawned upon me that the convey intelligence the accident

of
it

noble man had swooped down and the city, went back and raised the

I
attaching his machine ours had weeping girl who was have been

to
to

thrown himself to death to save our the dead man's wife. “My darling.”

I
lives! Leaving the weeping woman said lifting her gently, “you would
I

ran group people who had have been true to him and he was
to

of

a
a

gathered some little distance away God-like man and worthy your

of
and were talking and jesticulating troth; but surely the hand provi

of
wildly and there, crushed and dead dence this terrible thing. Will
in
is

lay the noblest man and greatest you go and look upon him Taking
**
genius that ever lived. his Godlike my arm without speaking led her
In

to
I
nobility soul, had caught our where our saviour lay upon the
he
of

aeroplane several hundred feet above ground and with solemn grace and
a

the earth and seeing that could not dignity that was really majestic, she
it

sustain all and prevent from being walked around to the dead man's feet
us

crushed against the earth, and looked long and calmly his face.
he

had
at

thrown himself down to horrible “Thou wert too pure great

to

and be
a

death that his affianced might escape loved man,” she spoke last,
in as

at
a

with his rival! wonder not that at “and the presence thy dead clay
as of
I

last, when earthly passion had been feel unworthy Guinevere

as

at
I

the pure and royal Arthur.

by

chilled the cold touch death the feet

of
of

and the dross mortality scarce in Alas! the world has lost its greatest
of

tervened, that was of him she spirit and friend whom could
of
it

I
I

thought, that was the wondrous never be worthy!” Then led her
as
it

melody his nocturne that she away, “Oh my Launcelot, thou art
of

heard above the roaring the frozen not and never can good great
or
of

so
be

sea, rolling down from the beyond man, and yet love you!”
a

ere she passed. And felt no pang

of
I

jealousy.' many (Concluded November.)

If,

the house
of

in
in
 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE
The Iron Republic.
RICHARD
[All
(Concluded.)
OR
months my beautiful wife
had been fading like a flower.
Even on ship-board and amid
the excitement of the wildest storm,
she seemed listless and totally indif
ferent to her surroundings. The bood
ing sadness that began to come up
on her after the terrible accident
that resulted in the death of Profes
sor Hallam, never left her, and
while she sometimes simulated vi
vacity, her gaiety pained rather than
pleased me, for my love penetrated
her sweet little deception and I
knew that it was for my sake that
she pretended what she did not feel.
I had fondly hoped, and so had her
parents, that when she was out of
the country and away from the
scenes that reminded her of her past
her old bouyancy of spirits would re
turn. Indeed but for this and the
dreadful melancholia that grew up
on her day after day, we would nev
er have yielded to her desire to un
dertake the desperate journey to
America. But it was not so, and the
bitterness of my disappointment
amounted to anguish. Every morn
ing on board of the vessel, as on
shore, she would awake at the ex
act moment when the wonderful ma
tins of Professor Hallam had been
wont to roll Out from the tower of
music, and listen wide-eyed and with
every faculty strained to the utmost
tension of alertness, listening.
as I lay beside her sometimes
JAMESON MORGAN,
Rights Reserved.]
held her hand, feigning sleep, I
could feel the nervous tremor that
agitated her, while her pulse flutter
ed with the intensity of the nervous
strain.
My God! It was terrible that my
sweet wife, the most beautiful and
gracious woman I ever knew and
the only one I ever loved should suf
fer like that! And at sunset she
would listen for the nocturne with
the same fever of excitement. Thus
as long as we were in latitudes where
day and night alternated and when
we reached the regions of the pole
where there were no sunrisings nor
settings, instead of becoming better
she grew worse, and this intense,
preoccupied, listening attitude be
came habitual. I employed every
artifice I could devise to interest her
and fix her attention on objects
about us and she with the sweetest
grace tried to be interested, but ev
en as I held her hand and talked to
her with all the animation I could
affect, looking into the fathomless
depths of her glorious eyes I would
lose her. With the most intense
concentration of mind she would
follow me and "sense" what I was
saying for a few minutes, and then
she listened indeed, but not to me!
And Oh, she tried so hard |
One evening we stood by the rail
on the quarter deck looking out over
And the hissing brine at the sun which
and hung red upon the horizon. It seem
 F'LORIDA M.AGAZINE 255

ed as if it were just ready to sink out understand—that you might think

of sight though really it had been –Oh what shall say? That you
but slightly above the horizon for

I
might not think that love you and
many days. As I stood with one

I
you only with my heart! Oh my

all
arm around her and holding her husband pity me and forgive your
hand, her gaze was fixed on the red poor miserable, unfortunate wife! Oh
ball of fire that touched the ocean's I—Oh, oh—" and she fell forward
rim and which was reflected in her with her face against my knees, sob
eyes like the flashes in an opal. I bing and quivering with the violence
drew her to me and spoke ardently of her emotion.
of what I hoped to accomplish when Lifting her gently my arms

in
we reached my own country, even while my heart was bursting, car

I
putting my face against hers as I ried her down into the cabin and
spoke. But I do not think she heard laid her on her bed and with her
me! Like one hypnotized she seem arms still about my neck when

as
ed totally oblivious of her surround they held me back from fearful

a
ings, and I saw with a pang of an death that summer afternoon, fell

I
guish that she was listening for the

by
on my knees the bedside and with
strains of that glorious nocturne, my face against hers, wept with her.
such as was never heard except from And the dim twilight the cabin,

of
in

the "tower of music," and such as while the sun hung red upon the rim
was never played by any hand save of the sea, and the billows rustled
that of the dead master. And then along the vessel's side with sad

an a
I believed my heart broke | Then a murmur like the sighing au

of
pain struck through my breast that tumn wind, she told me that Pro
has never ceased from that hour to fessor Hallam's music had always
this, waking or sleeping. impressed her way she could not
in
a

Dropping her hand I fell forward understand. That whenever she

with a groan and catching the rail heard his wonderful matins and noc
rested my head upon Starting turnes she seemed lose herself,
to
it.

she had been struck, my darling and was borne away the billows
on
as
if

came back herself, and with cry of harmonious sound. She told me
to

fell down my feet and with tor that she could even divine the music
at

rent broken words and sobs beg advance the playing and knew
of

of
in

ged me forgive her. “Oh my each bar before she heard as well
to

it it

love she cried, the tears ran she had composed herself.
as

as
'"

if

down her beautiful upturned face, Stranger than all, she said she al
breaking for you, but some mysterious in
by

my heart ways knew

is

help cannot. Oh! very

it,

cannot indeed fluence the moment the music

I

cannot see you hear you was going

by

when begin, and she knew

to
or
I

my heart aches for you with that influence, that mysterious

never ceasing misery. have something, that the master was
I

struggled and have prayed, but playing now, was playing

all

the
I

God will not help me! And have time, and while she could not hear
I

feared that you—that you might not the music, by this strange power
256 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE

which dominated her, she felt it and fall under the power the dead

of
knew what unutterable strains were man's music.

>k

>k

>k

>k
being rendered in heaven or some - >k

×
::
where. She told me as she lay there knew not that the end was so

I
with her soft arms about my neck near and when came was as

it

a it

if
and her dear face touching mine, God had struck me with thunder
that if she had the skill to set it bolt out clear sky. For week

of
a

a
down fast enough she could write she had not come on deck and had
the grand music that was being ren scarcely been on her feet during the
dered day and night and day after time. The hallucination that pos
day without cessation At first she sessed her had not recurred since
said she only felt it evenings and the day she told me all and was

I
mornings, and then more and more, sure that some inexplicable way

in
until finally when we passed into the her violent emotion at that time had
zone where there was no alternation been the
means breaking the

of
of day and night, she felt that he was spell. But the improvement had

I
playing all the time! She could not looked for from that did not come
felt its beauty and she grew weaker, physically,
it,

hear it but she felt

and could not escape its power! She day by day—or rather from hour

to
had kept this from me till now, see hour, as there was no alternation of
ing my suffering, she could no long day and night.
but told me all, that We sighted “Barrington
it,

conceal had
er

might not doubt her love, but pity strait" and was laying off and on,
and forgive her the pain she caused keeping the towering ice wall

in
me! sight and waiting for wind that

a
she had done this first, the would drive through the current
at
If

us

great physicians Ironia might that runs like mill race through
of

have cured her the malady—for the channel. For hours my beauti
of

such must have been—and en ful wife, now so frail and white as to
it

treated her to let me take her back seem almost ethereal, had reclined
then but she would not consent. on the lounge the cabin with her
in

“Why has stopped now!" she eyes half closed and such expres
an
it

cried, holding my face between her sion heavenly peace upon her face
of

hands and looking up me with the that felt awed though the pres
as
at

in
I

love light her eyes. “It stopped ence an angel. was sitting table
at
in

of

short off when you fell against the trying fix my mind upon chart
to

rail, and know he would never that was making the ice coast
of
I

play again even the angels and the entrance to the strait, when
he
to

if

knew caused me sorrow And as with slight cry she clasped her
!”
it

gazed into her face and saw the old hands and opened wide her eyes
I

look her eyes thanked God and with that look listening expectan
of
in

prayed that the spell might be brok

cy

knew well.
so
I

en, and that she might never again Springing her side with half
to

a
 FLORIDA. MAGAZINE 257

uttered imprecation, I kneeled be within me, my tears gushed forth

side her and caught her clasped
hands in mine. "Listen," she whis
pered excitedly, "he is going to
play ! I feel it—ah, now he is play
ing! It is the glorious nocturne he
played that evening when we were
by the river. Hark! I can hear it—
oh, so grand | Her eyes closed and
she moved her head forward and
from side to side for some moments
keeping time.
“Edward, my husband, where are
you?”
“I am here, darling," I cried pas
sionately, pressing her hands and
imprinting a kiss on her partly open
ed lips. “Then I am content,” and
withdrawing one of her hands from
mine, she put an arm around my
neck. I started to speak caressing
ly to her when she stopped me with
a quick "hush, I am to sing." He is
and I felt as if my spirit was out
borne on the wings of song, far
above the sphere of earthly hope and
passion; beyond the sound of dis
cord, beyond the veil of darkness,
into a great luminous ethereal space
that throbbed with the rythmic
measures of the music of the
spheres. And as I floated upward
on the waves of unutterable melody
where there was no horizon and no
sky, an angel held me by the hand
and about the neck and that angel,
I felt, had been my wife!
* : *k k + k :: *k
I was aroused by a touch on the
shoulder, and looking up I saw the
kind face of Captain Brent bending
over me. "Where am I?" I asked
in a dazed way. “You are in the
hands of Almighty God,” replied the
Captain solemnly, “who doeth

all
playing the prelude Now he is mo things well.”
tioning me to begin, now!" and in staggered my feet and gazed
to
I

haling a deep breath she began to about me and then looking down
sing the great “Peace hymn” of the saw the earthly image my wife still
of

republic. and white reclining statue

as

of
a

“Of old when down the stargirt sky, marble; her eyes were closed
as
The angel voices swelled and ran, though slumber, and her lips were
in

This was the burden of their cry, parted with smile, and realized
a

Peace, peace on earth, good will that God had struck me the final
to man." blow. With calmness could not
a

In the refrain, understand, motioned him out

of
I

“Peace, peace, peace, on all the the cabin and bowed myself the
in

earth peace, presence my dead.

of

Peace, peace, peace, among all men When went on deck again the
I

peace." sun had disappeared below the ho

Her voice swelled grandly and rizon and fingers golden fire
of

floated out over the black ocean. pointed from the rim the black
of

She drew my face down upon her Ocean to the zenith that was flushed
bosom and as the triumphant notes with rosy light.
of this magnificent hymn—the mas But why should linger with
I

terpiece of Professor Hallam—rose these sorrowful details? was not

I

and fell, my heart seemed to melt stirred by any emotion and felt noth