VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

[Olox_ 4318]

V O I C E   O F   T H E   P E O P L E

 

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Law is the underlying basis of society. No man or woman is above it. The fundamental rights of mankind exist on the premise of the Rule of Law, and all civilised people will have nothing to shelter them if that is surrendered to despotism and tyranny. 

 

The dream that is our Heartlands exists on the principles of liberty, freedom, and justice. These things have always been our highest concern, and it is with this in mind that We did commission an inquiry into the state of Article VII, otherwise known as the ‘Exit Clause’ under the constitution—

 

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From Olivier Dieuxmont, former High Emissary of Aaun

 

“

1. Should the two nations and peoples be unable to peacefully merge by the time of the grand-heir’s marriage, the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun and the Commonwealth of the Petra can split into two entities once more.

”

 

I. Condition

The condition must be either fulfilled or unmet by a specified point in time. Article VII, Clause 1, establishes the condition as a peaceful merge.

 

II. Deadline Assessment

The clause explicitly sets ‘by the time of the grand-heir’s marriage’ as the deadline for assessing whether the condition has been met. This phrase means that the assessment must occur shortly before, at, or after the specified time. 

 

III. Exit Clause

The subsequent action, namely the split between Aaun and Petra, is contingent upon the condition being unmet by the specified deadline. The constitution does not permit the split to occur immediately after the promulgation of the constitution, nor at any arbitrary time before the deadline at which the condition may be assessed. 

 

IV.  Timeline 

The thrust of the law implies that before the grand-heir’s marriage the focus of the Confederation is on attempting a peaceful merger. Consequently, the clause does not allow for a split before the deadline as the condition for the exit clause to be activated cannot be definitively assessed until that point. 

 

V. Example

(a) Person A tells Person B to arrive at a certain place ‘by the time of’ a meeting. Arrival is expected at or shortly before the scheduled meeting, not days, months, or years beforehand. 

 

(b) Person A prepares food for Person B ‘by the time of’ a shared event. If Person A prepared the food a month before the shared event it would be rendered unsuitable for Person B to consume.

 

(c) A landlord organises an inspection of a property a tenant has been living in ‘by the time of’ the tenancy’s end date. The inspection is held shortly before, at the time of, or following the tenancy end date. The inspection is not held three months before the tenancy end date.

 

VI. The Natural Meaning

It is crucial that the language used in the constitution is interpreted using its natural meaning. Clear terms, used commonly in our lives, should not be subject to unnecessary alteration. Conditions tied to a specific deadline are intended to ensure that both parties have until that deadline to fulfil their obligations. 

 

Article VII of the constitution was written and agreed on in good faith by His late Majesty King John and Her late Majesty Queen Catherine. It was then, and is now, the primary mechanism through which a harmonious split may be achieved. The wording of the constitution ensures that premature action cannot be taken and that both Provinces have a reasonable period to comply with the remainder of the constitution.

 

I remain, Majesty,

Your Humble Servant,

Olivier Dieuxmont de Rosius

 

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This report having been delivered to Our desk, We instructed the Lord Chancellor to create a Bill to give the people a fair means by which they may bring about lawful constitutional change.

 

The Garmont Assembly today failed to bring this Bill to law, divided evenly, leaving the promise of Our last missive to change the way by which the Heartlands are governed unfulfilled.

 

We had hoped with this Bill that if the Garmont passes a Bill to alter the constitution then such a proposal shall go automatically to the people for their approval in a referendum. Similarly, if the Garmont were to have passed a Bill which Our Lord Chancellor deems to be of significant national importance, then he is authorised to call a referendum for the approval of the people.

 

We are aware of a call, from some quarters, that our Heartlands should be abolished. Before Our order for the cessation of hostilities many were willing to resort to violence to achieve such ends. However, the Heartlands remains unbowed to threats of partisan insurrectionism. 

 

We hold it to be self-evident that government exists only upon the consent of the governed. That it can only be the Right of the People to bring into being a government or to abolish it. 

 

The people of the Heartlands have the right to disagree, but they must do so agreeably. Violence, or threats of violence, demean us.

 

Article VII of the constitution does not allow an early split between the Provinces before the time of the grand-heir’s marriage. His Majesty’s son, the Lord of Alba, is not yet ten years old. Her Majesty is as yet unmarried. That provision having not been met, secession is not lawful.

 

Should those minority of voices who desire the abolition of the Heartlands believe in the righteousness of their conviction and the popularity of their cause then the Lords should think again on the Lord Chancellor’s Bill and allow the people their say.

 

The power to change must rest in the hands of the people, not in the hands of the aristocracy alone. Government must serve the people and ensure that the rule of law is respected. That is the country we can be; that is the change we choose. That is the future we will fight for.
 

VOX POPULI

VINCIT REGNAT IMPERAT

TANDEM TRIUMPHANS

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ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED;
On the 11th of Sun’s Smile, 1987.

 

His Royal and Apostolic Majesty, CHARLES II,
King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Duke of the Franklands, Vienne, the Lowlands, Balemena and Corazon, Margrave of High Peak, Count of Whitespire, Florentine and Talentine, Baron of Blanchet, Gotfridcher and Virdain, Protector of the Realm

[Enlightenment 2295]

"They had a chance to vote for democracy but they lacked any sense." Emilio Varoche sighed, "They-a will rue the day."

[Caranthir_ 2533]

Olivier Dieuxmont signs off his inquiry with a little flourish. He was proud to see his King standing up for the constitution of his home.

[growingivy 3382]

Godiva glosses over the words as she begins gathering old potato sacks and barrels for her plots.

[rep2k 3192]

“Archibald, I know you are old…”, Louis-Caspian exclaims through a chuckle to his family friend, the most loyal one so far, “But, fetch me my ink and feather. Breach of law is not going to be tolerated in this state.”

 

[sergisala 3451]

Upon reading the missive issued by King Charles II, Alexander Darkwood would feel proud of being a Heartlander and a loyal subject of His Majesty the Apostolic King of Aaun. "For the Heartlands! Unity above all! Long live the King!"

[satin 7600]

Phillipe van Leuven considers, reconsiders, reconsiders again, and eventually takes ink to the page, scratching down a letter. Foreign trends could not be truly known - only hindsight awarded such certainty - but they could be predicted.

[MrMojoMordor 2413]

4 minutes ago, Enlightenment said:

"They had a chance to vote for democracy but they lacked any sense."

Bon'Ox passes by Ves from a recent visit to the eternal library and raises his brow as he hears a mumble come from a window: "Izn't Heartlandz ahn Monarchial regime agh nub ahn Demokratzy?" 

[Nectorist 12869]

Adrian silently stews at his seat in Enswerp. The hope of the Republican Compromise had likely been dashed, and what had been strife now threatened to explode into war. That evening, he contemplates fleeing to Solgaard and leaving his crown behind, but he is convinced out of it by a courtier.

[mothsthetic 2250]

Adalia I of the Petra scowls as she reads the missive, placing it back down onto her desk. "We're not allowed to leave this nation of people who wish my citizens dead until I give birth? I'm only twenty-one! What shall they do if I bear no daughters? Or if I am unable? Are we simply meant to stay put with these brigands who wish for my death?"

[AlternisJ 381]

Gundanat read over the missive, chuckling to himself at the utter mess this has become, reading over the missive again seeing the terms and just laughing "They expect this to keep Petra in line? What a zkahing mess this is going to be with my neighbours."

[Caranthir_ 2533]

4 minutes ago, mothsthetic said:

Adalia I of the Petra scowls as she reads the missive, placing it back down onto her desk. "We're not allowed to leave this nation of people who wish my citizens dead until I give birth? I'm only twenty-one! What shall they do if I bear no daughters? Or if I am unable? Are we simply meant to stay put with these brigands who wish for my death?"

 

OIivier wishes for a world where kings and queens followed the law, as their lesser born underlings had to. Alas, that would not be until they were all gone. He scribbles a note for the PRF.

[wowj 9747]

"GIVE JARL HELVETZ BACK HIS LEMON HILL! DOWN WITH YOUR 'EMPIRE!' UNTIL IT IS RETURNED TO HIM!" A now terroristic Lemon Knight screamed, maddened.

[ibiou 2397]

A pacing consort kept to her walk in up-down motions in her garden. The horizon had slipped into its orange hues, with pinks seeping amidst the clouds. As nightfall broke, HEDWIG OF WARSOVIA kept on her guard in thought. "How many of them lied when they spoke of unity at my festival? How many wanted to see our downfall as they shook hands with their fellow Man?" Her stream of contemplation, out and open in the salty winds of the Silver Sea, was only heard by her birds resting in her menagerie. "I have preached peace in my royal husband's absence, and he continues to do so in the name of democracy of our smallfolk. How long can we keep the bloodthirst at bay?"

[CasualNuker 1113]

"Long live the unity of the Heartlands and may those who oppose such unity perish from this realm!" replied Golden Dragoon di Alessandria of the Marna Brigade.