Two documents lay on the table before Jack Reed. Both had been topics of long arguments and committee meetings, as every word was scrutinized and examined and fought over. Even his untrustworthy allies had sent representatives to ensure the documents would be suitable. They would be signing them too, after all.
And now, everything was ready. The room hummed with anticipation. Dozens of men and women seemed overcome with emotion. Many trembled with excitement, or perhaps terror.
Reed felt nothing but a stern serenity. He knew his cause was just, he knew he was on the right side of history.
Calmly, he picked up the first document and read it out loud, his voice echoing through the room and beyond, as radio waves transmitted his confident, steady speech across the nation.
"A unanimous declaration by the elected representatives of the Working Classes of America, of the Farmer, the Miner, the Factory Worker, and the Destitute:
When in the long and bloody history of humanity those with a boot on their neck rise against slavery and injustice and for the general welfare of mankind, no explanation or justification of their actions is needed, but in the interest of history and posterity, we the assembled representatives of the Socialist Party, the Congress of American Syndicates, and our allies and fellow travelers, declare the causes of our revolution.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal, that they possess by virtue of their humanity certain rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. All these have been robbed from the people. Life, by the lynch mob's noose, liberty, by the corrupt judge's gavel, happiness, by capitalism's poverty. The bourgeois have had their chance to rule America, and the American dream that they have sold us is now a nightmare. The 'Democracy' which they used to obscure their rule has collapsed into naked despotism as soon as it appeared it could not maintain the rule of capitalism. Furthermore, that dream and that Democracy never really existed, not for the Negro, for the Woman, the native, or the Immigrant. Because of these, and other weighty, reasons (the rampant abuses inflicted upon the Working Classes are too numerous to ever be truly listed), the Workers of America have chosen to throw off our shackles. We reject this false dream. Instead, We will build a new world here and now with our own hands and our own toil for the benefit of all. Thus, we declare class war total and unrelenting! Not only against the servants of the putschists, but financial barons and the whole corrupt edifice of American Capitalism, against its strictures of white supremacy and patriarchy, against its catspaws in the Black Legion and the National Popular Front, and against all who seek the oppression of the Working Classes, not just in America but in the world.
It is for the successful prosecution of this coming titanic struggle, that we, the undersigned, do hereby declare the formation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of America.
To this cause, we pledge our lives, our fortunes, and all we can offer."
Slowly, reverently, he laid down the paper, and signed his name, his hand trembling just a little as he did. As the people behind him rushed to add their names, he turned his attention to the second document. It was shorter but no less significant.
"We, the Provisional Revolutionary Government of America, commit ourselves to the following:
To ensure democratic and just government
To keep the majority of the means of production in the hands of the working class
To treat all fairly and properly, including respecting the right to fair trials, habitable prisons, and just treatment
To oppose racism, sexism, and other discriminatory practices in every way
To care for all, by providing food, medical care, housing, and other necessities
To hold a Constitutional Convention when the current struggle has ended
To use all means available to us to ensure the victory of the working class
To never falter or surrender in our opposition to the forces of reaction
We shall triumph, not through abandoning our principles, but through keeping true to them. Our victory is inevitable."
Again, he read it out loud, again he put his pen to paper to sign his name.
All around the country, people heard the declaration. Some whooped and cheered, hearing in it the promise of what they had desired for so long. Some accepted it calmly, knowing they had chosen their side and their comrades. Some admired its optimism but feared its costs. Some simply began considering what influence they could bring to bear in this Provisional Government.
Some cursed and raged at hearing it, some grew grimly determined to triumph over the arrogant rabblerousers who spoke so, some feared for what would be left of America. And some simply ignored it.
Douglas MacArthur had bigger things to worry about, like his speech to Congress. His military uniform was immaculate, his corncob pipe rested in his right pocket, and the remaining, loyal members of Congress were sitting at attention. President Hoover, with his FBI escorts, sat limply off to one side, seemingly barely aware of anything that was happening.
Outside, a city suffocated under layers of pink snow, but brigades of men with shovels and the occasional snowplow kept the vital streets clear. The sounds of their labor could be just barely heard.
"Distinguished members of this honorable body, at the request of the President, one month ago I issued an ultimatum against the radicals, rebels, and revolutionaries attempting to overthrow our great democracy out of jealous and unreasoning hatred. That ultimatum has now expired, and there has been no attempt at negotiations, no effort to ensure peace. I must conclude that any moderate elements within the rebels have been suppressed, and the only option left is the recourse of the bayonet and the bullet, just as was used against the traitors of the Confederacy.
Therefore, I would ask that posse comitatus be invoked and emergency powers be granted to our president for the duration of this crisis. I ask you to stand with me in this darkest hour and lend your support to the defense of democracy."
The two motions he had asked for were quickly passed, without a single dissenting vote.
"Thank you. The Lord willing, this crisis will be over quickly."
Without another word, he spun on his heel and left the Capitol. He had a war to fight, he needed to replace that idiot Moseley with someone who would keep the Klan in line, he needed to find out Hoover's progress on Operation Black Wind...
He had never been so busy. But he had never felt so alive!
Thank you all. It's been quite the adventure, but this quest is now complete.
The next step will begin soon, and I will post a link in the thread and the discord when I start it. For now, I have a couple other projects in mind.
