Joseph's Dream

[Inkthorn 1434]

On Joseph of Marna

An essay on liberalism

 

 

A thousand years ago, humanity was binary. 

 

There were those who bled red and those who bled blue. The bluebloods were born into wealth and luxury, but in return they owed their people a service. This service was that of governance -- a truly taxing task. 

 

These blueborns rode off to war atop great stallions; they wined and dined on the finest of imports; they enjoyed the greatest decadence but also the greatest pressure. For while they enjoyed the benefits of their station in life, so too did they struggle with the duties that it entailed.

 

Meanwhile, the redbloods toiled in the fields; they marched and died without ceremony or pomp; they ate piss poor bread and slept on beds of hay… Indeed, their suffering was a sort of service too, but it was a service which confined them to never know the joys of life, and which disbarred them from achievement purely as a result of their birth. 

 

It is through the lens of this governing philosophy that we learn of history’s greatest. Horen the Father, Owyn the Purifier, Godfrey the Redeemer, and Sigismund the Preserver all governed in this fashion. For their time, this mindset worked, but times have changed greatly.

 

And so another great leader changed the tide of history. 

 

Joseph of Marna realized that one’s birth ought not decide the trajectory of their lifetime. He believed that opportunity was every man’s birthright, that each and every one of us should be able to rise to the occasion and serve our Empire if our merit and ability warranted it.

 

Of course, the highborn are indeed the spine of our civilization. His Imperial Majesty the Emperor is our benevolent supervisor, whose God-given duty is to maintain and develop His Empire. But our liege has only so much time. 

 

In empowering a strong civil government, he has multiplied the work that he can achieve ten thousandfold. Now, the Emperor simply decrees -- build me this great work, O loyal servant; raise me an army, O general of mine; make me an Empire, O humanity… and his great horde of aides and assistants see to it posthaste. 

 

As you go to vote on the morrow, know that we are the inheritors of Joseph. He dreamt of inviting the baseborn into the fold of government, and our gracious Emperor has seen that dream to fruition. Now, Dukes and Princes debate alongside merchants and soldiers, for the betterment of all who live within our good Empire.

 

But hark, sons of liberty! Our war is not yet won.

 

There are those that would undo the progress we have achieved. Many of them adorn themselves with the moniker Everardine. Know that these men do not realize the beautiful wisdom of Joseph, and that if they achieved power, they would turn back time…

 

O brothers and sisters, thank God Almighty that today we fight not on the field of battle, but rather in the halls of government, and know that He dispatched good Joseph to deliver us into this enlightened era. 

 

Vote Josephite for the liberty and prosperity of all.

 

Signed,

An Anonymous Josephite

[Caranthir_ 2533]

“The Everardines have proved time and time again through our comprehensive policy platforms that we are the faction who will seek to properly legislate to secure the rights and economic success of all men and women in Oren, of all businesses big or small, of all occupations be they bureaucrats or labourers. We have put forward a platform of real change, not essayism harking back to a day long since gone.” said the Everardine Minority Leader, reading over the anonymous pamphlet with a sigh.

 

“If all the Josephites can do to beg for votes is tell the Orenian people that they are the successor of Joseph of Marna, whilst leaving out any real policy, then they do not deserve another term as the majority faction. It’s time for them to move aside and get serious.”

[Taketheshot 3834]

“Vote Josephite if you want four years of pandering and useless sessions of commons where only the opposition shows up.”

[Drew2_dude 2636]

Sigmar grumbles as he read, “More vicious rumors an’ divisive lies spread by a Josephite who won’ even do it under his own name. wha’ a shame. to ‘ave the audacity to attack the character o’ men they don’ even know! Ah served in the Two Emperors, Ah fough’ for Joseph Marna, mentors an’ dear friends o’ mine died doin’ the same! If the Josephites who authored slanderous attacks like this realleh supported wha’ Josef Marna stood for, they’d know it was liberty an’ freedom o’ tyranny, nie’ attackin’ his fellow orenian with vicious lies an’ comparin’ them to the pertinaxi! A shame tha’ Joseph Marna’s memory will be tainted by these ludicrous radicals who tarnish the true meanin’ of a Josephite.”

[KeatonUnbeaten 1103]

“Josephite or Everardine; who cares? The Emperor is the real master in the Empire; no matter what puppet you elect for him to use, he will act as his will dictates,” Keaton would remark.