Anglo-American Alliance A Serio-Comic Romance and Forecast of the Future-Gregory Casparian

Clifford D. Simak (0:00)

Forward to An Anglo-American Alliance A Serio-Comic Romance and Forecast of the Future This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit librivox.org Recording by Chuck Williamson. An Anglo-American Alliance. A Serio-Comic Romance and Forecast of the Future. By Gregory Casparian. Forward In presenting this volume to the public, it is not the intention of the author to offer it as a literary masterpiece, but in his adopted language, conscious of his limitation, merely to give expression to his thoughts on certain problems of life that have always seemed to him of particular significance. At present, there appears to be a general bombastic clamor among certain nations who, decrying others as barbarous, claim to have reached the highest pinnacle of civilization.

Yet a glance at the existing conditions in those self-lotted governments will reveal rampant corruption among their leaders who, for their own selfish ends, retard legislations which are absolutely imperative for the general welfare. It is not necessary to mention other ways in which the people are being daily betrayed, for this is sufficient to render any thinking person despondent and pessimistic.

The causes of the decadence of nations are not the laws which have been enacted, but the flagrant violation of these very laws, actuated by greed, avarice, and commercialism which are generated in the individual in power. The only remedy for this state is either a leader of intrepid courage, or the awakening of the people themselves, and their demanding reforms on public mandate.

The true meaning of civilization is universal brotherhood, and in this sense, the leading lights in every stratum of life, whether in government or in commerce, in religion or in science, stand arraigned and indicted before the tribunal of conscience for retarding this laudable spirit of brotherhood. Why do not captains of industry and commerce, instead of throttling each other by a unanimous effort, promulgate laws on a reciprocal basis among themselves? Why do not scientists, instead of confining their efforts to individual endeavors, combine their forces so as to enhance the chance of accomplishing greater results in research and exploration? Why do not spiritual shepherds, instead of preaching intolerance and fanaticism, bring their flocks together in harmony? An Oriental scholar in the Congress of Religions at the Colombian Fair declared that the flocks are willing to pasture together, but it is the shepherds who are keeping them apart.

And in fine, why do not the nations, each claiming the highest form of civilization, instead of disseminating national, sectional, and race hatred, form an alliance which will advance the cause of universal brotherhood, and brighten the hope of bringing enduring peace to the world at large? In this golden era, with its vast numbers of diplomats, statesmen, theologians, scientists, and its countless fraternal organizations, each preaching fraternity, love, and charity, what evil spirit or genie prevents them from forming a union between two of the foremost and best forms of governments? America and Britain. Perfect types in their entity, having similar laws, language, and aspirations. Who will be the savior through whose agency this happy cross-fertilization, inoculation, or union shall be achieved? It was the above thoughts and the idea of an alliance between Colombia and Britannia, that suggested in all seriousness the following frivolously allegorical narrative, a potpourri of weird fancy, satire, and imagination, a mosaic of the sublime and the ridiculous, on themes worthy of a master.

Yet if some reader should find, even in this fantastic guise, an occasional thought worthy of arousing him to nobler efforts, the author will consider himself well rewarded. In regard to his prophecies for the future, he is willing to be called a consummate prevaricator, should his desire for the betterment of mankind, or the unity of nations take place much sooner than he has predicted, or the calamities fail to materialize, or prove to be much lighter than he has foreseen. GC. Floral Park, New York. End of forward.

Chapter 1 of An Anglo-American Alliance by Gregory Casparian. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 1 The Young Lady Seminary It is 1960, Anno Domini. The earth, not withstanding many dire predictions of charlatans and religious fanatics, and in spite of numerous cataclysms, conflagrations, and political upheavals, was rotating serenely on its axis.

The Diana Young Lady Seminary, situated upon the picturesque hills of Cornwall on the Hudson, is a few miles north of the West Point Military Academy. The seminary buildings, having formerly been the palatial homestead of a multimillionaire, about half a century previously had been bequeathed to the state of New York, with ample endowments for its maintenance and development. It had long since become one of the finest institutions of learning of its kind, not only of America, but of the whole civilized world.