<SPAN name="XXVI"></SPAN>
<h1 align="center" style="margin-top: 2em;font-variant: small-caps">Chapter XXVI</h1>
<h2 align="center" style="margin-top: 2em;font-variant: small-caps">Dru Outlines His Intentions</h2>
<p>The day after this address was issued, General Dru
reviewed his army and received such an ovation that
it stilled criticism, for it was plain that the new
order of things had to be accepted, and there was a
thrill of fear among those who would have liked to
raise their voices in protest.</p>
<p>It was felt that the property and lives of all were
now in the keeping of one man.</p>
<p>Dru’s first official act was to call a conference
of those, throughout the Union, who had been leaders
in the movement to overthrow the Government.</p>
<p>The gathering was large and representative, but he
found no such unanimity as amongst the army. A large
part, perhaps a majority, were outspoken for an immediate
return to representative government.</p>
<p>They were willing that unusual powers should be assumed
long enough to declare the old Government illegal,
and to issue an immediate call for a general election,
state and national, to be held as usual in November.
The advocates of this plan were willing that Dru should
remain in authority until the duly constituted officials
could be legally installed.</p>
<p>Dru presided over the meeting, therefore he took no
part in the early discussion, further than to ask
for the fullest expression of opinion. After hearing
the plan for a limited dictatorship proposed, he arose,
and, in a voice vibrant with emotion, addressed the
meeting as follows:</p>
<p>“My fellow countrymen:--I feel sure that however
much we may differ as to methods, there is no one
within the sound of my voice that does not wish me
well, and none, I believe, mistrusts either my honesty
of purpose, my patriotism, or my ultimate desire to
restore as soon as possible to our distracted land
a constitutional government.</p>
<p>“We all agreed that a change had to be brought
about even though it meant revolution, for otherwise
the cruel hand of avarice would have crushed out from
us, and from our children, every semblance of freedom.
If our late masters had been more moderate in their
greed we would have been content to struggle for yet
another period, hoping that in time we might again
have justice and equality before the law. But even
so we would have had a defective Government, defective
in machinery and defective in its constitution and
laws. To have righted it, a century of public education
would have been necessary. The present opportunity
has been bought at fearful cost. If we use it lightly,
those who fell upon the field of Elma will have died
in vain, and the anguish of mothers, and the tears
of widows and orphans will mock us because we failed
in our duty to their beloved dead.</p>
<p>“For a long time I have known that this hour
would come, and that there would be those of you who
would stand affrighted at the momentous change from
constitutional government to despotism, no matter how
pure and exalted you might believe my intentions to
be.</p>
<p>“But in the long watches of the night, in the
solitude of my tent, I conceived a plan of government
which, by the grace of God, I hope to be able to give
to the American people. My life is consecrated to our
cause, and, hateful as is the thought of assuming supreme
power, I can see no other way clearly, and I would
be recreant to my trust if I faltered in my duty.
Therefore, with the aid I know each one of you will
give me, there shall, in God’s good time, be
wrought ’a government of the people, by the
people and for the people.’”</p>
<p>When Dru had finished there was generous applause.
At first here and there a dissenting voice was heard,
but the chorus of approval drowned it. It was a splendid
tribute to his popularity and integrity. When quiet
was restored, he named twelve men whom he wanted to
take charge of the departments and to act as his advisors.</p>
<p>They were all able men, each distinguished in his
own field of endeavor, and when their names were announced
there was an outburst of satisfaction.</p>
<p>The meeting adjourned, and each member went home a
believer in Dru and the policy he had adopted. They,
in turn, converted the people to their view of the
situation, so that Dru was able to go forward with
his great work, conscious of the support and approval
of an overwhelming majority of his fellow countrymen.</p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
1 of 2
2 of 2
Previous
Next
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.