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Uncivil War

The President stood, his face gaunt, head bowed, hands resting on his desk, contemplating the documents he was about to sign.    

Grieved at the thought of having to put his signature to parchment he thought back, recalling the events in the first months of his term leading up to the awful situation he found himself in today.

The rebellion had first taken deep root in South Carolina where a state convention had declared the nation morally and fiscally bankrupt.  Secession had been proposed and even seriously considered.  Emboldened, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas had rapidly followed suit.  Now, many more states were threatening similar action.

“I must take firm steps now.  The nation expects nothing less.”

One more time the nation’s Chief Executive read the Presidential Proclamation he’d caused to be put to paper; a document more familiarly known as the Lincoln Proclamation of 1862:

“BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

A PROCLAMATION

Whereas, it has become necessary to call into service not only volunteers but also portions of the militia of the States by draft in order to suppress the insurrection existing in the United States, and disloyal persons are not adequately restrained by the ordinary processes of law from hindering this measure and from giving aid and comfort in various ways to the insurrection;

Now, therefore, be it ordered, first, that during the existing insurrection and as a necessary measure for suppressing the same, all Rebels and Insurgents, their aiders and abettors within the United States, and all persons discouraging volunteer enlistments, resisting militia drafts, or guilty of any disloyal practice, affording aid and comfort to Rebels against the authority of United States, shall be subject to martial law and liable to trial and punishment by Courts Martial or Military Commission:

Second. That the Writ of Habeas Corpus is suspended in respect to all persons arrested, or who are now, or hereafter during the rebellion shall be, imprisoned in any fort, camp, arsenal, military prison, or other place of confinement by any military authority of by the sentence of any Court Martial or Military Commission.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.”

The President knew the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court had already threatened to nullify suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus so a warrant for the Justice had also been prepared.   

Arresting the nation’s chief judge would be a controversial move but, the action was necessary to the maintenance of peace.  As many as 40,000 citizens were already under Executive arrest and warrants for thousands more were in place, ready for execution.  Were the Justice to ignore suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus chaos would result as all those arrested would demand the right to appear before a judge to determine the validity of the arrest.  Suspending Habeas Corpus would keep the matter in military courts with no recourse other than waiting for those arrested aside from hoping for some future trial date and some future resolution.

Last, the President perused the proclamation that would create the most anguish in the nation’s press, the suspension of this fall’s elections until such time as the President should declare the rebellion to be at an end.  “At least,” he thought, “My supporters are loyal.  Most of them will understand.”

Steeling himself, the President signed the papers, swept them up and strode out to meet his advisors.

Applause erupted as the President entered the room where his Cabinet had gathered.

“It’s done,” he told the small group, once the applause had subsided.  “Are we ready?”

Pointing, the President asked, “Janet?”

“Our strategy has worked perfectly,” came the reply.  “At present we have about 4.5 billion rounds of ammunition stockpiled.   More important, we’ve kept the factories busy with our work so both the military and the law enforcement agencies who might oppose us are in short supply.  They’ve learned to be dependent on us for their rounds.  Our fleet of armored vehicles has been strategically deployed to allow us to move substantial force anywhere in the nation with twenty-four hour’s notice”

“Governor?”

“FEMA Corp is up to strength and integrated into leadership positions across the nation,” came the answer.  “The logistical plans are in place to assure areas supporting our cause will be fully supplied with food and other necessities.  Areas declared to be in rebellion will have to do without.  Should minds change and the rebellion end in a region we can be providing supplies within hours as a demonstration of our good will towards those who support us.”

“Thank you Chris, and how about Justice, Michelle.”

“Justice is ready, Mr. President.  We have 140,000 drones ready to launch when needed and, of course, the national network we established last year allows us to tap into nearly any legally licensed security camera in the country.  Of course, all that would only be supplemental to our own system of surveillance cameras.”

The President, despite the seriousness of the situation, could not suppress the famous grin.  “Well, he said.  “It looks as though we’ve got four more years.”

The Vice President leaped to his feet, fist pumping the air.  “Yes!” he exclaimed, some thought inappropriately, “A Threepeat!”

Once again, applause filled the air.

Copyright by Jack Petree