//------------------------------// // The Rise of Parties // Story: The Nineteenth Century: The Saga of Equestria // by mint20 //------------------------------// The Rise of Parties The Nineteenth Century: The Saga of Equestria July 14, 1832 Canterlot, Equestria We, the Princesses of Equestria, have been charged by the ponies of Equestria to defend and protect this fine nation. This is not a responsibility we take lightly. Over the course of the past decade, we have been forced to make difficult decisions, in the name of protecting Equestria. Unfortunately, we must now make another difficult choice. The recent battle at Appleloosa was fought between the newly-modernized Equestrian Armies and a group of humans determined to seize Equestrian territory for their own use. The Royal Council has interrogated the humans responsible for the battle, and they have stated that they seized the province of Valahamas because of the presence of human settlers. They claimed to wish to “liberate” the humans from the “quadapetal tyranny.” They also claimed to seek annexation from the United States, after they had secured their territory. It is clear that the presence of the human settlers within Equestrian territory pose a threat to the safety and security of our nation. As such, the Equestrian Royal Council, representatives of the ponies of Equestria, declares that all humans, excepting those in the employ of the Equestrian government and those who represent other nations, and their families, are no longer welcome to reside in Equestria. The government shall buy all property that the aforementioned humans may have bought within Equestria. The Royal Council gives all humans that are subject to this proclamation one year to comply with it. Failure to do so is subject to seizure and liquidation of property and forced deportation. Done in Canterlot, by the Equestrian Royal Council, whose names are fixed below: ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ “Are we sure that this is a good idea?” asked Twilight, somewhat nervously. “The United States will not like this...we may even end up alienating the United Kingdom.” Cadance looked uncomfortable as well, as she said, “I agree. At the very least, we should do this quietly. Let us not flaunt this decision in the face of the human nations.” Luna grimaced, but did not comment. Celestia sighed. “If we do not preface this with a declaration, we will be accused of being two-faced liars.We must proclaim Equestria to be a pony-only state, and if we don’t, the violence will only continue.” “Yes, but-” “Twilight! I understand that you have your concerns, but trust me. This is the best move for Equestria.” All members of the Council recoiled. It occurred to Celestia that she may have stepped out of line. “My apologies. But my point stands.” Celestia picked up the quill, and signed her name in the first empty slot. Luna blinked and, after a moment of hesitation, did the same. Twilight and Cadance looked at each other for a couple of seconds. Then, slowly, both of them signed the declaration. July 17, 1832 Canterlot, Equestria “And this cannot stand! This is a clear and blatant infringement on human rights within Equestria.” “The problem with that statement, Ambassador Ieving, is that Equestria is not a human state,” replied Celestia, in a detached voice. “As such, we are not obligated to provide ‘human rights’ to human settlers.” The British ambassador shifted uncomfortably at that, but otherwise held his peace. “Furthermore, when the Royal Council moved to begin allowing human settlers, we made it clear that humans would only be allowed to live in Equestria as long as they were orderly and obeyed the laws of Equestria. The Manetown Incident and Battle of Appleloosa have proven that humans cannot obey our laws, and keeping them in Equestria is dangerous for everypony involved. In addition, anti-human sentiment within this Principality has flared. I am not certain that we can guarantee the safety of any humans within Equestria.” “It is the responsibility of the government of a state to keep its citizens in check!” replied Ieving. “Really? Is that the reason you passed the Exclusion Act two years ago in your Congress? An act prohibiting ponies from settling in the United States? Tell me, how is this any different? No, the decree stands.” Ieving stood up. “Very well. I want my passport and letters of accreditation back. I am leaving this nation.” “They will be provided,” replied Celestia. “I would like mine back as well,” stated Liston, the British ambassador. “This is a...monumental piece of news, and I should deliver it to His Majesty myself.” Celestia flinched inwardly, recognizing what this meant. We just alienated the British. Outwardly, she nodded and said, “Of course.” January 2, 1833 First Meeting of the Equestrian Advisory Council of 1834 Canterlot, Equestria As was tradition by now, Celestia gave a speech on the first meeting of the Advisory Council. The delegates got the days between Hearth’s Warming Eve and New Year’s Day off, to spend with their families. However, the representatives were expected and obligated to show up January 2, weekday or weekend, to address anything that came up during their break. Celestia, and the Royal Council, maintained an extremely high standard for the Advisors. As Celestia spoke, she gazed out into the seats of the several Advisors. As always, the twenty members of the Royal Court sat on Celestia’s right, and the one hundred Deputies sat on her left. She also noticed that, unlike in the past, the delegations from each of the districts did not sit together. Rather, the ponies seemed to be grouped in a pattern that was not clear to her. She mused on this for the next few paragraphs, as explained the reasoning behind the Human Expulsion Proclamation. Of course, she did not need to explain herself to the Assembly, but she had fallen in the habit of doing so. It was toward the end of the speech that she finally noticed something significant. She noticed that each pony wore an band on their front left leg. Some of them wore yellow bands, more wore grey, but the significant majority wore a navy blue band. She speculated on what they could have meant for the duration of her speech. As she finished the final paragraph, she delayed her closing statement and instead went off of her script. “And now, if I may discuss something that I have observed throughout my time in this Assembly...I have noticed that every pony, it seems, is wearing a colored band. In addition, each of the member of the two chambers are sitting with ponies that are wearing similar bands, rather than with their districts. If somepony will be so kind to tell me the reason for this trend?” Each member seemed to start slightly; it was very much a violation of tradition for the Princess to ask a question of the Assembly in that manner. However, there was no rule against it, per se… The Chancellor of the Court (a different pony than the one who attended the Congress of Panama) stood up. Celestia noticed that she had a blue band on. “Your Serene Majesty, these bands signify our political identity.” Celestia gave a small start, then said, “Political identity? What, precisely, do you mean?” “Well, the ponies wearing yellow identify as liberals, who seek increased political participation, a relaxation of anti-human policies, support a strong, defensive military and the introduction of a market system free from government interference. Ponies in grey are equivalent to human reactionaries - they wish to double down on anti-human policies, support a strong, aggressive military, and wishes to keep the hooves of the government firmly upon the reigns of the economy. In the middle is the majority, the ponies in blue. We identify as more moderate; we seek to maintain the current status quo. We do not wish to expand or contract anti-human policies, we support only a small, defensive military, and we think that the government should interfere in the government, but only when necessary.” Celestia was slightly stunned. She had not expected for the political scene of Equestria to fracture so suddenly and quickly… “The beginning of this political polarization was when the Council left to attend the Congress of Panama,” said the Chancellor. “While the Council was away, we implemented several reforms. As we did so, there were several disagreements about what form these reforms should take. Some wanted the government to execute all of these itself, some wanted to allow for the rise of more private businesses, not directly responsible to the government. Eventually, the pro-government faction won, and...well, the Council ratified all of our decisions. The fact that the Council had to ratify our decision, though, angered a few members of this Assembly, who thought that the Assembly should be allowed to operate independent of the Princesses. They banded together with the pro-business faction and formed what they call ‘The Liberal Coalition,’ a reference to the human ideology of change. The opposition - the former pro-government faction - split with itself. The more extreme ponies formed ‘The Reactionary Alliance’ (as they were reacting to perceived attack by the Liberal Coalition) and the remaining ponies styled themselves ‘Moderates.’ Such is the nature of these bands.” Celestia had to consciously keep her mouth from hanging open at this. Are we seeing the rise of political parties? And some members of this Assembly are challenging my right to rule Equestria? What is going on here? “Thank you, Chancellor. That is most enlightening. I would like to remind the members of this Assembly that it was created by and is underneath the Royal Council. The Assembly only has the power to do what the Council authorizes it to do; it may not do any more. I shall also reiterate what I said at the opening of the Assembly: the power of this Assembly originates at the Royal Council. At no point may you challenge us. As the power of this Assembly comes from the Council, we retain absolute authority over it, up to and including the power to dissolve it, should we see fit. “With that in mind…the fragmentation of this Assembly into political factions is not something that the Council will look upon favorably. Former political parties are hereby considered banned within the Principality. Take your factious politics elsewhere. They are not welcome here.” January 16, 1833 Canterlot, Equestria “We’re done?” asked Twilight, surprised. “Not quite,” replied Celestia. “But almost.” “Westernization complete...I’m not quite sure if I believe that,” said Cadance. “I do,” replied Luna. “Look how far we have come: we centralized the government, modernized the military, reformed parts of the economy, streamlined the school system, and have rebooted the sciences under the Royal Ministry of Sciences and Arts. What else is left, but to build the very first warship for Equestria?” “The culmination of our research; the epitome of our progress,” mused Celestia. “All in one, grand vessel...it has a certain romantic ring to it.” “It should be a craft greater than any Equestrian ship that came before it,” said Twilight, getting into the groove. “A monument to Equestria itself!” “Yes...we should call it the ERV Equestria, named after the land it shall protect. Equestria, a mighty ship, in a class known as the man-o-war to the humans...I like it…” March 15, 1833 Canterlot, Equestria Your Serene Majesties, Greetings, Princesses. I wish to extend the hand of friendship and prosperity clothed in the glove of cautious strength. While my term in office shall expire in three years, I believe it is best to set the foundation for the next President and to affirm the stances of the United States and Equestria on several subjects. First and foremost, all unclaimed lands left on the continent may be firmly stated to belong to these United States. The efforts of this republic to spread the light of democracy will not be in vain, and I urge you to consider the relative benefits of such a concession, as your nation struggles to defend itself against marauding, fortune-seeking pirates. Second, the Kingdom of "Griffonia" to your immediate north is to be recognized as a clear and present barbarian threat to prosperity and liberty on this continent, and as an obstacle in the rightful design of God. Not two months have gone by without some band of the youths of the Griffon upper classes terrorizing the diplomatic interests of the United States in that territory. My administration has had experience in the removal of such threats, and I urge you to remember what the United States Army is capable of when future presidents inevitably address the Griffon problem. Third and finally, the recent chaos in Mexico's territory of Texas is proving that the United States will have future conflicts in those areas as the clash of cultures across this continent intensifies. These United States will continue to pursue mutually-beneficial relations with Texas, and hold fast against any Mexican threat that may rear its head. In the best interests of Equestria, the United States demands that neutrality in foreign affairs of that area be your official policy. Your involvement in the settling of territorial disputes between the nations of man, in all the glory of God and nature, is not needed. The existence of your nation, as surprising as it may be, is a tolerable deviation from the laws of nature that these United States will allow in the future. So long as our nations continue to coexist, the amicable continuance of trade and stable borders will be the proper and desired order. Do note, the United States has no interest in defending you against marauders. The incident in your “Appleloosa” was regrettable, and the United States shall allow you to prosecute the perpetrators in accordance with your laws. Do not misunderstand this, though. This republic will hold as steadfast as my defense of New Orleans in our goals. This continent is destined as American soil, and the fulfillment of that dream shall be the pursuance of that nation's people for so long as we draw breath and may hold high that great Star-Spangled Banner. Yours in Potential Friendship, Andrew Jackson President of the United States “That was bold,” said Celestia. “Indeed, it was,” said Luna. “First and foremost, the United States will tolerate our continued existence? What in Tartarus is that supposed to mean? That we need their permission to be a sovereign state?” “Chaos in Texas? I knew things were tense, but chaos may be a bit of hyperbole…” observed Cadance. “He was not exactly friendly towards Griffonia, either. Calling them a ‘barbarous threat to the liberty and posterity of this continent,’ or some such thing,” observed Twilight. “This Andrew Jackson is not exactly the most diplomatic of humans.” “I would have thought that he would have had a diplomat look over this letter to...soften the language.”* “Welp, we need to be careful. If this letter is correct, he will be of no concern in three years. But we need to watch out. I doubt he will be the last of his kind…” * Author’s side note: He did. The diplomat spend five hours crossing out and replacing words. Jackson incorporated every change into the letter.