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English kings. Outside the tall windows stretched the immaculately manicured
gardens ofBuckinghamPalace . At the far end of the conference table General
Sherman signed the last of the orders in the folder, closed it,then glanced up
at the clock on the wall.
"Well I see that our guests are not as prompt as might be expected," he said.
"But they will come, be assured of that." He spoke lightly, hoping to
alleviate the philosopher's unease. Mill smiled wanly.
"Yes, of course, they must realize the importance of this meeting."
"If they don't I count upon you to enlighten them."
"I shall do my best, General, but you must realize that I am no man of
action. I am more at home in my study than on the debating floor."
"You underestimate your abilities, Mr. Mill. InDublin you had the politicians
eating out of your hand. When you spoke they were silent, intent on partaking
of your wisdom. You will be fine."
"Ah, yes but that wasDublin ." Mill sounded distressed, and there was a fine
beading of perspiration on his brow. "InIreland I was telling them what they
had spent their lifetimes waiting to hear. I showed them just how they could
finally rule in their own land. They could not but be attentive." Now Mill
frowned unhappily at more recent memories. "However, my countrymen have taken
great umbrage at my presence inDublin .The Times went so far as to call me a
traitor to my country and to my class. The other newspapers were how shall I
say it? more than indignant, actually calling down curses upon my head..."
"My dear Mr. Mill,"Sherman said calmly. "Newspapers exist to sell copies, not
to dispense the truth or to see both sides of an argument. Some years ago,
before I resumed my interrupted military career, I was, for a short while, a
banker inCalifornia . When my bank fell upon hard times, there were calls to
tar and feather me or, preferably, burn me at the stake. Pay the papers no
heed, sir. Their miasmicvaporings rise from the pit and will be dispersed by
the clear winds of truth."
"You are something of a poet, General," Mill said, smiling weakly.
"Please don't let anyone else know; let it be our secret."
Colonel Summers knocked discreetly, then let himself in. "Finished with
these, General?" he asked, pointing to the folder.
"All signed. Take care of them, Andy."
"The two English gentlemen are here to see you, sir," he said, picking up the
papers.
"Show them in, by all means."
When the door opened again John Stuart Mill was on his feet; General Sherman
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slowly joined him.
"Lord John Russell, Mr. Disraeli," the colonel said, then quietly closed the
door and left.
The two politicians crossed the room, as different in appearance as they
could possibly be.The aristocratic Russell amply filling his old-fashioned
broadcloth suit.Disraeli, the successful novelist, the veteran politician, the
man about town, spare and thin and dressed in the most outstanding way. He
stroked his small, pointed beard and nodded politely towardSherman .
"Do you gentleman know Mr. John Stuart Mill?"Sherman asked.
"Only by reputation," Disraeli said, bowing slightly toward Mill, his
politician's face empty of any expression.
"I have met Mr. Mill and have followed his public activities. I have no
desire to be in his company," Russell said in a cold voice, averting his eyes
from the other man. Mill's face was suddenly drawn and white.
"Mr. Russell I would suggest that you be more courteous. We are here on a
matter of some importance to both you and your country; therefore, your ill
temper does you no favors, sir."Sherman snapped the words out like a military
command.
Russell flushed at the harshness of the words, the common form of address. He
clamped his mouth shut and stared out of the window, resentful at being put
down by this Yankee upstart.Sherman sat and waved the others to their chairs.
"Please be seated, gentlemen, and this meeting will begin." He waited a
moment,then went on. "I have asked you to come here in your official
positions.As Prime Minister of the government and leader of the opposition. In
those capacities I would like you to assemble a meeting of the House of
Commons in Parliament."
With an effort Lord Russell controlled his temper, and when he spoke his
words were as cold and emotionless as he could manage. "Might I remind you,
General, that the Houses of Parliament have been locked tight upon your
orders, sir."
"They have indeed."Sherman 's voice was as flat as the other man's. "When the
time comes the doors will be unlocked."
"To both chambers?"Disraeli asked, his voice betraying no evidence of the
singular importance of his question.
"No."Sherman 's words now had the imperious force of command. "The House of
Lords has been abolished and will not reconvene. There is no place for
hereditary titles in a democracy."
"By God, sir you cannot!" Russell said vehemently.
"By God, sir I can. You have lost your war and now you will pay the price."
Disraeli coughed lightly in the ensuing silence,then spoke. "Might I ask have
all the arrangements been made for the Queen to open Parliament?" Again his
voice held no hint of the immense purport of his question.
"She will not. The private citizen Victoria Saxe-Coburg will remain in her
residence on theIsle of Wight for the time being. This is anewBritain , a
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freerBritain , and you gentlemen must learn to accommodate yourself to it."
"This is still a constitutionalBritain ," Russell broke in. "It is the
Queen's parliament and she must be there to open it. That is the law of the
land."
"Was," General Sherman said. "I repeat. Your war has been lost and your
country occupied. The Queen will not open Parliament."
Disraeli nodded slowly. "I presume that there is a reason for calling this
session of Parliament to sit."
Shermannodded. "There is indeed. Mr. Mill will be happy to enlighten you when
he speaks to your assembly. Are there any further questions? No? Good. The
Parliament will assemble in two days."
"Impossible!" Lord Russell fought to control his voice without succeeding.
"The members of Parliament are spread across this land, dispersed..."
"I envisage no problems. All of the telegraph lines are now open and the
trains running as scheduled. There should be no difficulty in assembling these
gentlemen."Sherman rose to his feet. "I bid you good day."
Russell stamped from the room, but Disraeli held back. "What do you hope to
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