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Chapter 7: Political Parties
TRUE/FALSE
1. A party’s national organization is run by its elected leaders in the House of Representatives.
2. The Speaker of the House, John Boehner, is able to command what Tea Party Caucus members do in
Congress because he is the highest-ranking Republican leader.
3. The Republican Party is considered a minor political party in the United States.
4. During the period of the first party system, the two major American political parties operated primarily
as parties in government.
5. The national Democratic Party, under the leadership of Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren, is
credited for creating the spoils system.
6. The spoils system allowed local party organizations to operate as machines with considerable power
over their members.
7. While American political parties have brand names that give people easy ways to identify differences
between candidates, some candidates and elected officials in the same party will often have different
issue positions.
9. An example of the independence between the party in government and the party organization is that
most American politicians go through their entire political careers without holding an official position
in their party organization.
11. National party organizations can require a state organization to comply with their requests in order for
the state party to keep its affiliation.
12. The increase in the percentage of self-identified Independents led some scholars to conclude that
people regarded parties as irrelevant to their vote decision, which is an example of a realignment.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. During the third and fourth party systems the Republican Party had significant strength in the _____,
while the Democratic Party had significant strength in the _____.
a. Northeast; Midwest d. Northeast; South
b. South; Northeast e. Midwest; Northeast
c. Midwest; South
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding
3. The leaders and workers of a party at the national, state, and local levels are known as:
a. the party caucus. d. the party in the electorate.
b. the party in government. e. the parties in service.
c. the party organization.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering
11. What was significant about the disintegration of the Federalist Party?
a. It demonstrated that southern parties could not last in the United States.
b. It was the last “responsible” party in the nation’s history.
c. It led to the Era of Good Feelings and eventually to the second party system.
d. It led to the third party system and eventually to the onset of the Civil War.
e. It led to the rise of the modern-day Republican Party.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding
12. You spend the year working on a candidate’s presidential campaign. After your candidate wins, you
are appointed to a federal job. This is an example of what?
a. the spoils system d. the party in government
b. the party principle e. party coalitions
c. the civil service system
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying
13. Rewarding party supporters with benefits, like government jobs, is known as:
a. the civil service system. d. the party in government.
b. the spoils system. e. political horse trading.
c. the party principle.
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering
14. Andrew Jackson was important to the development of American political parties because:
a. He was the innovator of conditional party government.
b. He was the first man to run for president under a party label.
c. He pioneered the use of registering voters with a political party.
d. He founded the modern-day Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign
Committee (DSCC).
e. He helped build Democratic Party organizations at the state and local levels, which helped
to mobilize citizens and bind them to the Democratic Party.
ANS: E DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding
16. The Republican Party formed when which major political party dissolved?
a. Democrats d. Libertarians
b. Federalists e. Antifederalists
c. Whigs
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering
17. What was a reason for the rise of the Republican Party?
a. The issue of slavery split the second party system.
b. Southerners were demanding a more conservative party in American politics.
c. Business leaders wanted a party to represent their interests.
d. Some political leaders opposed progressive reforms that had recently become law.
e. The Whigs were corrupt and were blamed by the public for the spoils system.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding
18. Which issue split the major parties in the third, fourth, and fifth party systems and still remains
relevant today?
a. whether we should encourage industrialization
b. the appropriate tariff rate
c. slavery
d. the proper size and role of the federal government
e. where the national capital should be located
ANS: D DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying
19. The groups that identify with a party are said to make up its:
a. coalition. d. national committee.
b. electorate. e. conference.
c. caucus.
ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering
20. In the 1990s, the Republican Party primarily drew support from evangelical voters, white southerners,
and the wealthy. This is an example of a party:
a. electorate. d. coalition.
b. caucus. e. conference.
c. national committee.
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying
21. Which important political event led to the New Deal Coalition?
a. the election of Theodore Roosevelt as president
b. World War I
c. the Great Depression
d. the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor
e. the Voting Rights Act
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering
22. All of the following groups were a part of the New Deal Coalition EXCEPT:
a. African Americans. d. white southerners.
b. union members. e. Wall Street bankers.
c. Catholics.
ANS: E DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering
23. What factor contributed to the transition from the fifth to the sixth party system?
a. the election of Franklin Roosevelt as president
b. Democratic candidates and party leaders, particularly outside the South, came out against
the “separate but equal” system of racial discrimination.
c. the end of World War II
d. Party machines, run by Democrats in urban areas, could no longer control the flow of
political information with the rise of television.
e. the election of Ronald Reagan as president
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding
24. George Wallace and Ross Perot are examples of:
a. important Republican leaders.
b. third-party candidates who attracted significant numbers of votes.
c. congressional reformers who pushed for stronger parties.
d. former presidents who were strong party leaders.
e. national committee chairpeople.
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying
25. America’s electoral rules are most likely to result in how many major parties?
a. one d. four
b. two e. more than four
c. three
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding
27. Which of the following terms describes a situation in which the issues that divide the political parties
change in a way that cuts across existing political coalitions?
a. polarization d. party evolution
b. realignment e. divided government
c. dealignment
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering
28. Which of the following is an example of an issue or event that caused a realignment?
a. the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865
b. the end of World War I and the rise of fascism in Europe
c. civil rights in the 1960s
d. the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s
e. civil unions and gay marriage in 2004
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying
29. An issue that splits the political party coalitions is known as:
a. a cross-cutting issue. d. a dealigning issue.
b. a framing issue. e. a salient issue.
c. a valence issue.
ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding
30. How has the political landscape of the South changed in the last 50 years?
a. There has not been much partisan change in the South.
b. The South has gone from being a toss-up to being solidly Democratic.
c. The South has gone from being a toss-up to being solidly Republican.
d. The South has gone from being solidly Republican to solidly Democratic.
e. The South has gone from being solidly Democratic to solidly Republican.
ANS: E DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding
31. The principal body in each party organization is the ________ , which consists of representatives from
________.
a. party in the electorate; the U.S. Congress
b. party in government; the parties’ presidential nominating conventions
c. leadership caucus; various interest groups
d. national committee; state party organizations
e. national committee; the parties’ presidential nominating conventions
ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering
34. Based on how scholars describe a party organization, the Tea Party closely resembles:
a. a major political party like the Democratic and Republican parties.
b. a minor political party like the Green or Libertarian parties.
c. organizations loosely affiliated with a party, such as 527 organizations.
d. a party in government.
e. an elite-driven party like the Federalists.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying
36. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC):
a. can both force state and local parties to share their positions on issues.
b. are both unable to force state and local parties to share their positions on issues.
c. operate differently; the DNC can force state and local parties to share its positions on
issues, whereas the RNC cannot.
d. operate differently; the RNC can force state and local parties to share its positions on
issues, whereas the DNC cannot.
e. almost never have contact with their state and local parties because of federal campaign
finance laws.
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering
38. Elected officials holding national, state, and local office make up the:
a. national committee. d. party in the electorate.
b. party organization. e. party in power.
c. party in government.
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering
39. Republican members of the House of Representatives and Senate are examples of the Republican:
a. party in government. d. national committee.
b. party organization. e. realigning coalition.
c. party in the electorate.
ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying
40. How has the Tea Party Caucus changed in recent congressional sessions?
a. It has nearly disappeared as a force in Congress.
b. It has been a major force in creating new policy proposals for Congress to consider.
c. It has been supportive of Republican leadership’s attempts to pass various legislative
priorities.
d. It has been more defined by their opposition to existing policy than a coherent agenda of
policy proposals.
e. It has had more power in the courts than in Congress.
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Understanding
41. Which party’s members do not always agree on all the issues?
a. Only Democrats have issues on which they do not agree.
b. Only Republicans have issues on which they do not agree.
c. Both parties have issues on which their members do not agree.
d. Neither party has issues on which their members cannot agree.
e. We do not have data on whether party members agree with each other on issues.
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering
42. The group of Democratic legislators in the U.S. House is called a ________ , while the Republicans
call their group a ________.
a. committee; conference d. caucus; conference
b. conference; committee e. committee; caucus
c. conference; caucus
ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering
45. Which of the following statements best describes American political parties over the last 60 years?
a. Parties today are stronger and less ideological than they were 60 years ago.
b. There are more Democrats and fewer Republicans and Independents than there were
60 years ago.
c. The magnitude of ideological differences between the parties in Congress has increased.
d. Minor-party candidates are waging more competitive campaigns than ever before.
e. National party committees have evolved to the point that they now operate in much the
same way as local party machines did earlier.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Understanding
47. Democrats in Congress have been divided on issues such as immigration and domestic surveillance.
What concept does this demonstrate?
a. The party in electorate is polarized.
b. The party in government is polarized.
c. The party in government cannot be trusted to do what it promises.
d. Parties in government include a mixture of ideologies.
e. The legislative branch is independent from the executive branch.
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying
48. The modern-day Republican Party is a coalition of many different types of voters. Republicans tend to
attract a greater share than Democrats from all of the following groups EXCEPT:
a. men. d. white Catholics.
b. college graduates. e. white Evangelicals.
c. those living in the South.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering
51. How does new and additional political information affect an individual’s party identification?
a. It reinforces existing party loyalties, which explains why party identification is generally
stable over time.
b. It creates more knowledge in the person about politics and government, which increases
the likelihood of becoming a Democrat.
c. It creates more knowledge in the person about politics and government, which increases
the likelihood of becoming a Republican.
d. It creates more knowledge in the person about politics and government, which increases
the likelihood of becoming an Independent.
e. It causes confusion in the person, which increases the likelihood of joining a minor party.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying
54. Although the increase in the number of people who identified as Independents was initially considered
evidence of ________ , a more recent interpretation is that many of these voters actually have
________.
a. dealignment; an interest in joining one of the major parties later in life
b. dealignment; weak partisan attachments
c. realignment; an interest in politics
d. realignment; weak partisan attachments
e. bipartisanship; an interest in joining one of the major parties later in life
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying
56. One of the practical reasons that virtually all prominent candidates for the presidency and Congress
run as Democrats or Republicans is that:
a. the Constitution was specifically designed with a two-party system in mind.
b. it is easier to get on the general election ballot as a major party candidate.
c. most Americans want either a genuine liberal or conservative to represent them.
d. most Americans do not trust candidates unaffiliated with a party.
e. a minor-party candidate has never won a seat in Congress.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate
REF: The Role of Political Parties in American Politics
OBJ: Explain the important functions that parties perform in the political system.
MSC: Understanding
60. When one party controls both the legislature and the presidency, it is called:
a. unified government. d. conditional party government.
b. party-based government. e. coordinated government.
c. responsible party government.
ANS: A DIF: Easy
REF: The Role of Political Parties in American Politics
OBJ: Explain the important functions that parties perform in the political system.
MSC: Remembering
61. When parties decide on their legislative priorities for the year they are engaged in:
a. dealignment. d. party identification.
b. realignment. e. coalition building.
c. agenda setting.
ANS: C DIF: Easy
REF: The Role of Political Parties in American Politics
OBJ: Explain the important functions that parties perform in the political system.
MSC: Applying
63. Duverger’s Law holds that there will only be two political parties:
a. in democratic political systems.
b. when we have single-member districts and plurality voting.
c. when we do not use winner-take-all voting rules.
d. when a candidate needs a majority of votes in order to take office.
e. when there are deep and polarizing divisions within the electorate.
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Minor Parties
OBJ: Consider the role of minor parties in a system dominated by two major parties.
MSC: Understanding
ESSAY
1. Describe the evolution of political parties from the first party system to their more recent incarnations.
How have their organizations changed over time? How have their roles changed? Has their impact
increased or decreased?
ANS:
Answers will vary.
2. In the last 50 years, elected officials from the Republican and Democratic parties have become more
ideologically polarized. Explain what that means and discuss the impact this has had on American
politics.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
3. At times there have been stark transformations in the American party coalitions called realignments.
Using either the transition from the second to the third party system, or from the fourth to the fifth,
explain what a realignment is and how it occurs.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
5. What are some of the functions that modern American political parties perform in government and in
elections? Do parties, in filling these roles, contribute to a better American democracy? Why or why
not?
ANS:
Answers will vary.
6. Two common complaints about political parties in the United States are that there are only two of them
and that they are not very different from each other. Why are there only two major parties in the
United States? Are the two major parties very different from each other? Do you think the United
States is better or worse off with a two-party system? Explain your answers.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
7. What is the Tea Party? Why do we call it a “party,” and what might be a more accurate name for it?
What does the existence of the Tea Party tell us about the strength of American political parties and
the way the political system works in America?
ANS:
Answers will vary.
8. Given what you have learned about American political parties, would you prefer that they be stronger
or weaker? Why? Draw on both concepts and examples from the text in order to explain your answer
to this question.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
End of Act V.
ACT SIXTH.
SCENE I.
Early morning in the condemned cell where Isola lies sleeping. In
one corner of it a warder sits, with his head sunk on his chest,
asleep. The first sign of day dawn is stealing through the barred
window.
Isola (gradually awaking, says dreamily): “’Tis somewhat hard my
rugged, earthy couch, Yet the brown heather nurtures Liberty. I’d
rather nestle in its arms, than lie Cushioned and canopied on regal
couch.” [Wakes more fully, and starts up into a sitting posture,
as consciousness and remembrance return. “’Tis neither, though.
Memory has returned. Morning is breaking on my last one here.
In a few hours my deathless Counterpart Will meet once more my
loved Escanior. Escanior! I am coming, Escanior! They sought to
part us. We shall meet again.” (She looks at the dim light in the
cell, and says): “’Tis a lone scene. A dreary aspect. Cold.” [Shivers.
“Bare walls, grey dawn, a flick’ring light at play A drowsy gaoler,
with his sleeping head, Nodding upon his almost soulless breast.
What is he but a thing mechanical, The tool of icy and unfeeling
law? Law, sacred law! No matter how unjust. An idol to be viewed
with veneration! Yes, Death is nigh, nigh unto Isola. It has no
terror for her, still she fain Would turn aside its grip from dear
Vulnar, And faithful Scrutus, too, if possible. Why should they die
for saving Hector’s son? Hector, awake! Save them, preserve their
lives. What is their crime? Did they not save Vergli, Half-brother
of our little Bernis? Hark! Far off I hear a clock tower tolling six.
Just two hours more. Bernis, awake? My child. Bernis, arouse
your father, bid him save, Bid him give Scrutus and Vulnar their
lives. It matters not for me, but for these two, Bernis awake him,
bid him think of them. My little boy, make haste. Time glides
along; It waits for no one, peasant, peer, or king.”
[Enter another gaoler, the drowsy one starts up.
Gaoler. “The pastor’s here. Would you converse with him? And let
him shrift your soul from coal black sin? What will you have to
eat? Name your desire, And I will see it is attended to. You must
be hungry, aye, and thirsty too, For two whole days food has not
passed your lips, Nor water either. Are you not famishing?”
Fortunatus. “Ask the wild bird, deprived of Liberty, And caged
inside a narrow prison cell, Either to eat of seed or drink of water!
I am not hungry friend, I need no food, Nor do I need the pastor’s
aid to shrive My soul of some imaginary sins. Let me be left in
peace. ’Tis all I ask, And when the hour arrives for me to die, I’ll
leave this cage ever so joyfully.”
Gaoler. “You’re a queer lot, you evolutionists. I would not like to
die, at all, at all, And without eating, or a steadying dram To keep
the nerves together. Think of it! It is to me incomprehensible.
Queer fish indeed these evolutionists.”
Isola (musingly to herself): “Hector might wake. My voice may have
reached him, Those thoughts of mine might possibly strike home!
Somehow I feel he’ll wake and send reprieve. Send it, yes, but will
it arrive in time? I’ll claim the privilege of dying first. Each
moment saved is precious. Dear Vulnar, Your staunch fidelity to
me and Truth, Merits not death, but Honour, Liberty. And you,
too, Scrutus, you so faithful. No, You do not merit such a
punishment. Hector! Art coming? Give these men their lives.”
SCENE II.
On the scaffold. An immense crowd is assembled outside the prison
of Holdfast. The three prisoners have been pinioned, and have
reached the spot of execution.
Fortunatus (to the hangman): “I claim the privilege of dying first,
Being the youngest of us three condemned, So man, make me
your first experiment, And take your time, don’t hurry, be
composed. Tut man, don’t tremble! What is there to fear? Learn
from young Fortunatus how to die. Adjust the rope. There! Steady.
Hark! I hear. [Listens. ’Tis the far echo of a horse’s feet, Surely,
yes surely, both will now be saved, I feel it, bless thee Hector, Vic
——”
A tremendous roar is heard outside. The words “Reprieve,
Reprieve, the King himself! The King!” suddenly penetrate to the
scaffold. A minute later and the King hurries thereon.
King Hector. “Reprieved! Governor hear! They are reprieved!”
[Staring at the group. “Two only here? Where is young
Fortunatus?”
The Hangman. “Dead, Sire! The word ‘reprieve’ reached me too
late, The sound arrived just as I pulled the bolt. His last words
were ‘Bless thee Hector, Victory!’ I heard them uttered as he fell
below, His death was speedy, instantaneous.”
Hector, laying both hands on Vulnar’s shoulder and bowing his
head on them, sobs out: “Isola! Isola! too late! too late! Oh! Isola
forgive. I rode my best. I rode not as a King, but as a man Whose
heart was bursting to reach you in time. I rode the horse you used
to love so well. The chestnut Saladin. He cleft the air, He seemed
to fly like arrow from the bow. He did his utmost. I did mine. Alas!
Fate was against us. Fate inexorable.”
The Governor of Holdfast prison exclaiming to himself: “Isola!
Fortunatus, Isola? By all the gods! This is a pretty pass. [To a
Warder. Haste man! Cut down young Fortunatus. See. Quick!
bear the body to my private rooms. Explain the situation to my
wife. Tell her to lay Isola on the bed. Apprise her that the King is
here. The King! A pretty pass! A tragedy indeed!”
Vulnar (to the hangman): “Unpinion me and Scrutus. Do it sharp,
man.” [A pause. Turning to the King and taking his hand: “Oh!
sire, grieve not, you did your very best. Would I had died first, and
saved Isola. I never dreamed of a reprieve. Brave heart! She died
to give me life. She died for Truth. Sire, see to it she did not die in
vain. Her last words, ‘Bless thee Hector. Victory!’ Shall ring into
your soul and make you just, Oh! yes, they shall. Her name will
gain the day, Isola dead, shall win bright Victory.”
King Hector (still sobbing): “Take me to Isola. Isola! I tried to save
thee, but I came too late. I strove with human might to be in time,
The human heart was beating in my breast. All royal mummery
had left my side, It was the man and not the King that strove,
Though Kings can feel, they are just human beings, Albeit
barbaric customs make them dolls. And I, I loved thee Isola. I did.
Who could help loving one so kind, so true?” (To Vulnar) “Vulnar,
where is she? Take me to her side, I tried to save her, but I came
too late.”
[Sobs.
Vulnar (linking the King’s arm in his and signing to the Governor,
standing close by, to lead forward): “Come, sire, I’ll take your
Majesty to her. Take comfort thinking how she blest you, sire;
Mourn not for her, she died as she had lived, With valiant heart
beating for others’ woes. Death had no terrors for her, sire,
indeed, It cannot claim the soul of Isola, Her deathless Thought,
that which made her a pow’r, Lives on and will live on eternally.
Doubtless ’tis roving with Escanior’s, She loved him, loved no
other all her life, I, his old Comrade, testify to this, I who e’er
worshipped where her feet have trod. And yet she’ll hover round
you sire again, And influence your heart to make the Cause, For
which she died, triumphant everywhere. She claimed to reign with
you, see to it Sire That her loved voice shall wake this world
again.”
They follow the Governor to his private apartments, and this latter
and Vulnar silently stand aside as the King enters the one in
which Isola has been laid.
King Hector (solus): “Yes, she is dead. Isola, thou art gone, That
which o’ertakes all men has come to thee. Vulnar spoke rightly,
when he said that thou, Dead should ne’erless obtain the Victory.
Yes, thou hast won it. Here, I swear to thee, All thou did’st die for
shall be realised, Right shall prevail, and Men shall own their
own, There shall be no more disinherited. Saxscober’s
Constitution shall become The constitution of a people free, And I
will be their real, not dummy King, Their brother worker, their
companion. While Life is left to me to work, I’ll work, I’ll make
Saxscoberland a dreamland scene, It shall reflect thy dream dear
Isola, Its face shall be the mirror of thy soul. Vergli shall aid me.
My first act shall be To do him justice and proclaim him heir; Our
little Bernis shall not act the thief, He shall be what thou sought’st
to keep the child, A human being, not a puppet slave. He shall be
his brave mother’s substitute, In him already shines thy deathless
soul. Isola, thou hast won, I swear it, Love. Thy death has won
Saxscober’s Liberty,”
He bends over and kisses her forehead. Then leaves the room.
Meeting Vulnar outside, he says: “Vulnar, I leave her body in your
care. Treat her as you would treat a reigning Queen. She shall
reign over fair Saxscoberland In deed, in fact, in true reality. Unto
the other nations of our Erth Her message shall be borne and shall
prevail, The bright example of Saxscoberland Shall move the
smaller fry to imitate, A bright example has its magnetism, And
draws men to solicit its embrace. Hector is clasping Isola’s. No
force Shall ever tear it from his grasp. No fear! I leave you, Vulnar.
Do your part. I go. My share in Evolution has begun. With Vergli I
will lead its sacred cause, With him will realize Isola’s dream.”
[He wrings Vulnar’s hand, and calling the Governor to him walks
away by his side.