The Fox of France - Chapter 514 (Patreon)

Chapter 514: Memorial Service

Several days later, a memorial service for Professor Fafner was held at Harvard University's sports field—the very site of the recent tragedy. Many American dignitaries attended the event, including Governor Christopher Gore and two senators.

It was said that the organizers had invited President Madison, but he declined due to "being too busy with affairs of state." Furthermore, he even refused to write an obituary for Professor Fafner.

This is not hard to understand, as President Madison is a Virginian, a Southerner, and comes from a prominent plantation family in Orange County, Virginia. His family owns over five thousand acres of plantation land and a large number of slaves. According to Professor Fafner’s categorization, he himself is a typical member of the "North American slave master genocidal gang."

Although it appears the United States has won this war, the benefits have been reaped by the French in Louisiana, and the gains for the U.S. have been quite limited, while the costs have been particularly heavy. Hence, President Madison’s approval rating is now highly problematic. The northern states naturally feel that Madison rashly provoked the conflict and lost more than he gained. The southern folks think that Madison's poor organization and chaotic military arrangements led to significant losses.

So now in America, whether in the south or the north, President Madison's approval rating is problematic. If he had attended the memorial service, he might have gained some understanding from the northern states. However, in the current situation where southern opinion almost overwhelmingly opposes him, adding any positive note might not be appreciated. In essence, the potential gains from attending were too slim.

Of course, while the potential gains were slim, there was a chance of gaining something, but if he actually made the trip, it would have greatly offended the southern states, making him a traitor in their eyes. Perhaps in the eyes of the northerners, his likeability might have increased slightly, but in the south, the loss of goodwill would be more than slight—he would become the most despised traitor of the entire south.

Generally speaking, enemies may be hated, but traitors are detested a thousand times more.

Thus, participating in such an event would have been all harm and no benefit for President Madison. He would come only if he were out of his mind.

In reality, openly rejecting the invitation, although it deepens the disdain of the northern states and decreases his support, doesn’t matter much since the north was not his base and did not particularly like him anyway. Letting their disdain deepen isn't a big deal.

On the other hand, the southern folks are currently being slammed in the northern newspapers. In terms of rhetoric, the southern planters are not on the same level as the northerners; they are simply no match. Their response is almost limited to repeatedly shouting "this is fake news."

Therefore, you can imagine the frustration of the southerners. At this time, the president publicly making a stance of not attending the memorial service has significantly improved his image among them. Everyone feels that although President Madison may not be particularly strong, he is still one of us, and his heart is with us—he is our brother!

With this judgment, previous dissatisfaction evaporated immediately. What? President Madison is incompetent in military matters? That’s not his fault; it’s because of the disastrous allies. You don’t know how much of a mess allies from the north can make! You should know that if the northerners were British, we could have beaten them easily with one corps; if the northerners were neutral, we could have kept them at bay with two corps; unfortunately, they are from our side, and we had to deploy six or seven corps to protect them! So, it's not that President Madison is incompetent, it's that the northerners are too disastrous! What, you disagree with me? Look at you, shameless, you must be a northerner. You should be ashamed!

Especially since President Madison is busy with official duties and doesn’t even have time to write an obituary; on the other hand, considering that golf was not a popular sport at this time, President Madison publicly went fishing by the river, clearly seen by reporters from the southern newspapers.

Just like the modern "king of understanding" gains further support among rednecks after playing golf, President Madison's public fishing trip during working hours further bolstered his support among the southerners. Although he had already served a second term, many southerners expressed their support for Madison to serve another term.

Of course, President Madison would not seek a third term, but his high approval rating is definitely good news for others in the Democratic-Republican Party. Because at this time, the southern states had more electoral votes. Even in actual history, during this period, the southern states had a relative advantage over the northern states in both population and economic power. However, with continuous European immigration, the plantation economy of the southern

 states could not provide enough jobs, leading to a steady inflow of population to the northern states, eventually resulting in a power shift between the north and the south.

In this alternate timeline, due to the presence of French Louisiana, Louisiana became the first choice for European immigrants to North America. Therefore, the number of immigrants the northern states could attract significantly decreased, so compared to actual history, the power gap between the northern and southern states was even greater. In this era, whoever controls the south indeed controls the country.

However, President Madison’s actions, while beneficial for the United States, caused an increasing divide between the north and the south. The growing rift between the north and the south would inevitably weaken their strength as a united nation.

Although President Madison did not attend the memorial service, the event was still of a high caliber. Governor Christopher Gore spoke first at the memorial service, expressing sincere condolences for Professor Fafner's murder and extending greetings to his family. He also highly praised Professor Fafner's scholarship, character, and his love and contribution to America, stating that people like Professor Fafner are true "great patriots."

He then condemned the practice of trying to silence the people with guns and violence, predicting that they would not succeed.

"In the past, English pirate gangs tried to take our freedom with guns, and they failed; today, some cultists also want to take our freedom with guns, and they will certainly not succeed."

After Governor Gore, other legislators spoke, largely echoing the governor's sentiments—affirming Professor Fafner's contributions, expressing condolences, and declaring their commitment to defending freedom.

Then Professor Bobblen, as a special guest, gave a speech. He recounted his friendship with Professor Fafner, expressed sympathy for Fafner's unfortunate demise, and stated that having someone like Professor Fafner was an honor for America. Professor Fafner's death was not only a loss for America but a common loss for all peace-loving people around the world. He also argued that one should not blindly hate others because of Professor Fafner's death.

"We oppose those who promote hatred and incite violence, not the people poisoned by those ideas. In a sense, they are also victims, and even more tragically so. My friend, Professor Fafner, was murdered, but at least his soul was intact. What about those poisoned by such terrible thoughts? Their bodies may be intact, but their spirits are dead. Bullets can only harm the body, but evil thoughts destroy the soul.

Professor Fafner realized this and tried to save these souls, but alas, he fell on the path he was committed to, just like a soldier falls on the battlefield. But our war with these wrongful, even evil thoughts has not ended. Some of us should take up the pen left by Professor Fafner and continue his work.

I've noticed that these days, my other friend, Professor Grady, is continuing the work left by Professor Fafner. The courage he has shown in this is immensely admirable. We know, like Professor Fafner, Professor Grady is also a target for assassination by certain extremists, so I've always urged him to minimize public appearances to ensure safety.

But you've all seen that Professor Grady still came to the venue because he told me: 'We can't lose to fear. Those extremists use such despicable means, using bullets to silence the voice of freedom, isn't it just to make us afraid? Isn't it just to stop us from speaking out because of fear? If at this time, I hide because I'm scared, wouldn't it be like surrendering to the enemy on the battlefield? If that happens, then they have truly won. I cannot watch such wrong thoughts triumph, cannot watch them drag my beloved America into hell. So, my friend, I have no retreat, behind me is America.'

Just now, as I was leaving, I reminded Professor Grady again to be cautious. Professor Grady told me: 'Friend, this is my battle, there is no escape. Just like Saint Peter returning to Rome. I know it's dangerous to show my face now, but I hope, someday I can face God like Professor Fafner and say, 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.'”

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