A Federation of "Equals" - A Danubian Federation Interative AAR

[jeeshadow]

((Wait, who is revolting?))

((The minister of Security, although if he is that is up for debate))

 

[Marschalk]

I will readily join the federal forces with my men. I just need an order from the Silesian government.

- Graf Peter von der Pahlen, Deputy for Silesia

 

[Fingon888]

((The minister of Security, although if he is that is up for debate))

((What is he doing that is up for debate?))

 

[theAhawk]

((So it is a coup if a resigned minister revolts?))

((Yes; so long as you were originally appointed, you get influence over the army, similar to how the cabinet takes until the update after the election to be changed over to facilitate election night coups.))

 

[Terraferma]

((The minister of Security, although if he is that is up for debate))

(Minister of Security is Xeno. he isn't the one revolting.)

 

[Gen. Marshall]

((Oh dear. Now I do hope this is not considered a revolt... Oh, Dadarian, was this the edit: and Mexatas Revolts?))

 

[Syriana]

Maiden Speech of Martin Sangster, Councillor for Slovakia​

I thank my honourable colleagues for their generous welcome. Sadly, I do not deserve it. For you understand, I must confess to a gross deception.

I am here on false pretences. I have deluded yourselves, and the Federation, into believing that I represent a fictitious state; indeed, that I have been appointed to this position by a population of fictitious electors. I speak, of course, of the so-called 'State of Slovakia'. But my dear colleagues, how could you have been so ignorant? As you are duly aware, the Hungarians willed the Slovaks out of existence in 1854; and we must always defer to the desire of the majority, no matter what terror this might usher upon their opponents. Such is the mandate of democracy.

And while we are in the moment for harsh realities, let me share another one: the Federation is not a democracy. It has never been a democracy. And, God willing, it shall never become one. Democracy is like a zoo without enclosures or a prison without cells; it is the freedom to oppress and to be oppressed. This is not the freedom we should strive for. True freedom is inviolable: it does not bend reed-like before the gusts of current opinion. It is underpinned by statute and guaranteed by practice, not the masses or the ballot-box. It is staunch and unyielding and impermeable. And above all, it stands in defiance of popular democracy. For there is no form of polity so inexorably inclined towards tyranny than that of the untamed, unnatural democracy.

Such an opinion may be shocking to certain delegates of this Congress; offensive, even. But they forgot why this Federation was founded in the first place - and why it shall endure in perpetuity, if only we remain faithful to its foundation. The Federation of the Danube - an important distinction from the 'Danubian Federation' that has ominously eclipsed it in the political lexicon - was not the product of the ballot-box. Rather, this Federation arose from a concordat between like-minded nations, each sovereign in their own right, who pledged to federate their institutions on the basis of their common interests and the highest aspirations of humanity. Never did these states vow to sacrifice their identities to some homogeneous federal construct; never did their electors cede the right of self-governance to some distant tribunal in Vienna; and not once did their populations disavow the defence of their liberties in favour of majoritarian gangsterism.

This Federation was born from consensus, and it shall be maintained by consensus. Yet presently, there is precious little consensus to go around. This very chamber has deteriorated to the extent such that its representatives shall even incite violence against one another. Congress, once a place where the states could have their concerns addressed by the federation, has now become the federal instrument of dictating the affairs of the states. When once a congressman was satisfied by the good governance of his state, now he thinks it his duty to impose upon the governance of his neighbours. It is telling that this Federation has faced insurrection, invasion and civil war, yet nothing has succeeded in fracturing its unity so significantly as the actions of its alleged champions. You have violated the federal compact; you have provoked war between the states. Is it any surprise, then, that we stand here today, huddling in this Hunnic spa town, while the vanguard of democracy tramples over the capital and despoils the Hofburg?

I think it cannot be attributed to mere coincidence that this ever-evolving disaster has been accompanied by a shift away from traditional liberal values towards democratic doctrine. Rather, the one directly begets the other. Democracy has scant time for tolerance and consensus. In democracy, the majority is always enlightened, and the objecting minority despised. The latter cannot be left in peace; they must be convinced of the error of their ways. And if they refuse to learn, then they are dangerous - traitorous - and must be purged. Democracy spectates as two men hustle a third and calls this justice for the people; the federation perceives this for what it truly is: a nation bereft of justice.

So I implore you, gentlemen, to restore such values. I beg of you to reject the seductive utopianism of democracy. No nation that has ever embraced democracy has survived long enough to rectify its blunder. From Paris to Athens, history is littered with the bones of democratic regimes. If this Federation is to amount to anything more than another set of skeletal ephemera in that colossal graveyard, then it must remain committed to its founding principles. It must cherish consensus, spite the majority, fly in the face of populism and demagoguery. Only by such means shall we survive this crisis. For if we travel down any other avenue, even if Vienna is recovered and the rebels put to the sword, the Federation is already lost.

~ Sangster

 

[Fingon888]

((Oh dear. Now I do hope this is not considered a revolt... Oh, Dadarian, was this the edit: and Mexatas Revolts?))

((I thought it was Popa adjusting his bow tie.))

Vasilios stands and applauds Councillor Sangster.

I agree completely Mr. Sangster. I believe we shall be great friends.

 

[Dadarian]

Maiden Speech of Martin Sangster, Councillor for Slovakia​

Impressive IC and endless rhetoric

~ Sangster

Popa listens to Sangster

No

Popa goes back to his maps and his own cloud of smoke

 

[theAhawk]

((To ease the confusion, we have one ex-cabinet minister (which for coup voting mechanisms is the same as a standing cabinet member within the same administration) [that's Etranger, the former Minister of Justice] and one Councillor openly supporting the rebels. A vote will be taken to determine the support of the army (and to some extent of the states, though that will also involve some luck).))

 

[Keperry]

Were this not a democracy, Mr. Sangster, I have you dismissed for expressing such abominable and would-be tyrannical views. Alas, this is indeed a democracy, no matter how much you may claim it is not, and as such you have the right to think and speak whatever views you might have, no matter how wrong they may be. Democracy does not mean that we must always defer to the will of the majority. I have never claimed that, or else I would not have fought for Slovakia's statehood. But this cannot be used as an excuse to deny the will of the people in circumstances in which it should and must be implemented, such as the referendum we have held. It is not oppressive to abolish monarchies in a Federation that is and ought to be a republic made up of republics. The people have the right to determine the character of their Federation and they have the right to enforce the ideals upon which it was founded--democracy and republicanism. Monarchies are the only oppression in this case. It cannot be oppressive to end them.

I must also ask, if the will of the majority is so abhorrent, then why is the will of the majority of Silesians to have a monarchy so sacrosanct? If we must shun majoritarianism, as you call it, then why should the will of the majority of the people in a state be worth so much more than the will of the majority of the people in the Federation? It is hypocritical to hold such a view. You say we must rule by consensus? Very well, then. Republicanism is and always has been the consensus within this Federation, and monarchies have proven themselves to be dangerous to its peace and stability.

 

[Muskeato]

((Shouldn't etranger's character need to openly support the drb for it to be a coup?))

 

[Marschalk]

Maiden Speech of Martin Sangster, Councillor for Slovakia​

I thank my honourable colleagues for their generous welcome. Sadly, I do not deserve it. For you understand, I must confess to a gross deception.

I am here on false pretences. I have deluded yourselves, and the Federation, into believing that I represent a fictitious state; indeed, that I have been appointed to this position by a population of fictitious electors. I speak, of course, of the so-called 'State of Slovakia'. But my dear colleagues, how could you have been so ignorant? As you are duly aware, the Hungarians willed the Slovaks out of existence in 1854; and we must always defer to the desire of the majority, no matter what terror this might usher upon their opponents. Such is the mandate of democracy.

And while we are in the moment for harsh realities, let me share another one: the Federation is not a democracy. It has never been a democracy. And, God willing, it shall never become one. Democracy is like a zoo without enclosures or a prison without cells; it is the freedom to oppress and to be oppressed. This is not the freedom we should strive for. True freedom is inviolable: it does not bend reed-like before the gusts of current opinion. It is underpinned by statute and guaranteed by practice, not the masses or the ballot-box. It is staunch and unyielding and impermeable. And above all, it stands in defiance of popular democracy. For there is no form of polity so inexorably inclined towards tyranny than that of the untamed, unnatural democracy.

Such an opinion may be shocking to certain delegates of this Congress; offensive, even. But they forgot why this Federation was founded in the first place - and why it shall endure in perpetuity, if only we remain faithful to its foundation. The Federation of the Danube - an important distinction from the 'Danubian Federation' that has ominously eclipsed it in the political lexicon - was not the product of the ballot-box. Rather, this Federation arose from a concordat between like-minded nations, each sovereign in their own right, who pledged to federate their institutions on the basis of their common interests and the highest aspirations of humanity. Never did these states vow to sacrifice their identities to some homogeneous federal construct; never did their electors cede the right of self-governance to some distant tribunal in Vienna; and not once did their populations disavow the defence of their liberties in favour of majoritarian gangsterism.

This Federation was born from consensus, and it shall be maintained by consensus. Yet presently, there is precious little consensus to go around. This very chamber has deteriorated to the extent such that its representatives shall even incite violence against one another. Congress, once a place where the states could have their concerns addressed by the federation, has now become the federal instrument of dictating the affairs of the states. When once a congressman was satisfied by the good governance of his state, now he thinks it his duty to impose upon the governance of his neighbours. It is telling that this Federation has faced insurrection, invasion and civil war, yet nothing has succeeded in fracturing its unity so significantly as the actions of its alleged champions. You have violated the federal compact; you have provoked war between the states. Is it any surprise, then, that we stand here today, huddling in this Hunnic spa town, while the vanguard of democracy tramples over the capital and despoils the Hofburg?

I think it cannot be attributed to mere coincidence that this ever-evolving disaster has been accompanied by a shift away from traditional liberal values towards democratic doctrine. Rather, the one directly begets the other. Democracy has scant time for tolerance and consensus. In democracy, the majority is always enlightened, and the objecting minority despised. The latter cannot be left in peace; they must be convinced of the error of their ways. And if they refuse to learn, then they are dangerous - traitorous - and must be purged. Democracy spectates as two men hustle a third and calls this justice for the people; the federation perceives this for what it truly is: a nation bereft of justice.

So I implore you, gentlemen, to restore such values. I beg of you to reject the seductive utopianism of democracy. No nation that has ever embraced democracy has survived long enough to rectify its blunder. From Paris to Athens, history is littered with the bones of democratic regimes. If this Federation is to amount to anything more than another set of skeletal ephemera in that colossal graveyard, then it must remain committed to its founding principles. It must cherish consensus, spite the majority, fly in the face of populism and demagoguery. Only by such means shall we survive this crisis. For if we travel down any other avenue, even if Vienna is recovered and the rebels put to the sword, the Federation is already lost.

~ Sangster

Sir, it was an excellent speech! You seem to be a wise, brave and sound man. I agree with your ideas and will be happy to cooperate with you. You are always welcome in my manor.

- Graf Peter von der Pahlen, a Deputy for Silesia

 

[Dadarian]

Popa looks at the cadre of happily backslapping aristocrats and neuvo-riche capitalists with concern. He writes a letter and sends it away.

 

[BasilII]

Maiden Speech of Martin Sangster, Councillor for Slovakia​

I thank my honourable colleagues for their generous welcome. Sadly, I do not deserve it. For you understand, I must confess to a gross deception.

I am here on false pretences. I have deluded yourselves, and the Federation, into believing that I represent a fictitious state; indeed, that I have been appointed to this position by a population of fictitious electors. I speak, of course, of the so-called 'State of Slovakia'. But my dear colleagues, how could you have been so ignorant? As you are duly aware, the Hungarians willed the Slovaks out of existence in 1854; and we must always defer to the desire of the majority, no matter what terror this might usher upon their opponents. Such is the mandate of democracy.

And while we are in the moment for harsh realities, let me share another one: the Federation is not a democracy. It has never been a democracy. And, God willing, it shall never become one. Democracy is like a zoo without enclosures or a prison without cells; it is the freedom to oppress and to be oppressed. This is not the freedom we should strive for. True freedom is inviolable: it does not bend reed-like before the gusts of current opinion. It is underpinned by statute and guaranteed by practice, not the masses or the ballot-box. It is staunch and unyielding and impermeable. And above all, it stands in defiance of popular democracy. For there is no form of polity so inexorably inclined towards tyranny than that of the untamed, unnatural democracy.

Such an opinion may be shocking to certain delegates of this Congress; offensive, even. But they forgot why this Federation was founded in the first place - and why it shall endure in perpetuity, if only we remain faithful to its foundation. The Federation of the Danube - an important distinction from the 'Danubian Federation' that has ominously eclipsed it in the political lexicon - was not the product of the ballot-box. Rather, this Federation arose from a concordat between like-minded nations, each sovereign in their own right, who pledged to federate their institutions on the basis of their common interests and the highest aspirations of humanity. Never did these states vow to sacrifice their identities to some homogeneous federal construct; never did their electors cede the right of self-governance to some distant tribunal in Vienna; and not once did their populations disavow the defence of their liberties in favour of majoritarian gangsterism.

This Federation was born from consensus, and it shall be maintained by consensus. Yet presently, there is precious little consensus to go around. This very chamber has deteriorated to the extent such that its representatives shall even incite violence against one another. Congress, once a place where the states could have their concerns addressed by the federation, has now become the federal instrument of dictating the affairs of the states. When once a congressman was satisfied by the good governance of his state, now he thinks it his duty to impose upon the governance of his neighbours. It is telling that this Federation has faced insurrection, invasion and civil war, yet nothing has succeeded in fracturing its unity so significantly as the actions of its alleged champions. You have violated the federal compact; you have provoked war between the states. Is it any surprise, then, that we stand here today, huddling in this Hunnic spa town, while the vanguard of democracy tramples over the capital and despoils the Hofburg?

I think it cannot be attributed to mere coincidence that this ever-evolving disaster has been accompanied by a shift away from traditional liberal values towards democratic doctrine. Rather, the one directly begets the other. Democracy has scant time for tolerance and consensus. In democracy, the majority is always enlightened, and the objecting minority despised. The latter cannot be left in peace; they must be convinced of the error of their ways. And if they refuse to learn, then they are dangerous - traitorous - and must be purged. Democracy spectates as two men hustle a third and calls this justice for the people; the federation perceives this for what it truly is: a nation bereft of justice.

So I implore you, gentlemen, to restore such values. I beg of you to reject the seductive utopianism of democracy. No nation that has ever embraced democracy has survived long enough to rectify its blunder. From Paris to Athens, history is littered with the bones of democratic regimes. If this Federation is to amount to anything more than another set of skeletal ephemera in that colossal graveyard, then it must remain committed to its founding principles. It must cherish consensus, spite the majority, fly in the face of populism and demagoguery. Only by such means shall we survive this crisis. For if we travel down any other avenue, even if Vienna is recovered and the rebels put to the sword, the Federation is already lost.

~ Sangster

I too, agree with the wise words of Sangster. We must uphold the true values of liberty for the peoples of the Danube against those who wish to create a centralistic tyranny of the majority.

- Konstantinos Venizelos, Councillor for Crete

 

[Keperry]

((You really don't need to quote the entire speech in your responses if you aren't responding to any part of it specifically. It clutters up the page. Same goes for quoting any other long post.))

 

[Guilu]

I would again like to remind everyone that I did not incite violence against any person, instead I suggested they show their discontent in a non-violent and peaceful way. Considering that Vienna is currently under their control I would happily take a few vandalisms over the loss of life that you have helped to bring about. No wonder the people have lost faith in us, you're wasting time on such nonsense, when Vienna and Bratislava are literally burning, there is still a Monarchist revolt in Crete, and there is a full-scale war with Spain.

We're wasting time on these trivialities ? Can you remind us who voted in favour of this abomination of a referendum ? Others would call for you to be covered in vile substances, along with your wife, your children, your house and your mother.

((Also Syriana : Slovakia exists since 1854, they pulled a Northern Virginia back then.))

 

[Fingon888]

We're wasting time on these trivialities ? Can you remind us who voted in favour of this abomination of a referendum ? Others would call for you to be covered in vile substances, along with your wife, your children, your house and your mother.

((Also Syriana : Slovakia exists since 1854, they pulled a Northern Virginia back then.))

((I think you mean West Virginia.))

 

[Somberg]

I vote to have the next meeting of the Progressive Society in Lvov and vote aye on the Progressive Order of Merit.

~ Silvestro Marconi, President of and Councillor for Cisalpina

 

[Guilu]

((I think you mean West Virginia.))

((Yes, my knowledge of US history is rather poor.))