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Post by The Eshva on Dec 1, 2020 17:34:36 GMT
Esik Viras ve Khasa was a prominent statesman of the early Constitutional period of Ikhani History and was initially one of two de-facto leaders of Ikhan from his appointment to the position of Imperial Chancellor in 1895 until the signing of the Ikhani Constitution in 1899. Following this, he was part of a de-facto Triumvirate shared between the positions of Emperor, Prime Minister, and Imperial Chancellor from 1899 until his death in 1937. Below are a few quotations about him and from him.
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Post by The Eshva on Dec 1, 2020 23:56:05 GMT
1890s
"It is, of course, important that we recognize the threat that eagerly awaits us to stumble. The Arashin Empire, venerable as it is, is as an old wolf, wounded by jackals and circled by vultures. Our arrogance has brought us to the breaking point, from which we must now rebuild. I am not a politician by trade nor birth, but a soldier. I will not pretend to be anymore than for which I was raised. But we now face a threat far greater than the petty squabbles of our forebears, and we must guard ourselves against it. United we shall stand, for if we are divided, then our glorious land, our people, will be broken, scattered in the wind."
— Esik Viras, Speech to the Constitutional Convention, c. 1898
"By this document, our people will be united once more, no longer just by our obedience to the Emperor, but under the banner of Liberty, of Equality, and of Brotherhood. For loyalty can only go so far before a man breaks faith, but give them the promise of freedom, and their resolve shall never fail."
— Esik Viras, Speech to the Constitutional Convention, c. 1899
1900s
"Politics is less of a science, for though it has its intricacies, there is no single answer for every problem. No. It is a form of art, much like painting or writing, for through it, dreams are realized."
— Esik Viras, The Nature of Politics, c. 1906
"A government not supported by its subjects will fall into chaos, but a legislature which represents its subjects and changes according to their needs will live on. A state cannot last when its people are divided against it."
— Esik Viras, The Nature of Politics, c. 1906
"All citizens owe their loyalty to the Emperor, not because he is blessed by the divine, nor because he lords over them, but because he is a symbol of the state in a time of chaos. For without knowing what they fight for, it is easy for one to lose hope and give in to their fate."
— Esik Viras, The Nature of Politics, c. 1906
"War is upon our doorstep, and try as one might, it cannot be avoided. The great issues of our time shall not be resolved with a pen and paper, but with blood, steel, and shot. Such times for negotiations passed when our homeland was cruelly invaded by the Ardian hordes in 1866. Now, we must prepare for the worst, for soon they shall fall upon us once again."
— Esik Viras, Speech to the National Assembly, c. 1909
1910s
"Truly, what honour is greater than to serve your people with dedication, seeking to make their lives better even at the cost of your own? Is it not by mandate of the people that we serve the nation? I tell you this now: We are but a means to an end. We can be replaced, but the people, our most valuable resource, cannot, for without it, the state ceases to exist."
— Esik Viras, The Servant, c. 1911
"Today, October 13th, 1914, I come before you, assembled delegates of the National Assembly, and report to you thus: At 4:30 AM, earlier today, the garrison at Fort Koisara reported that it had come under attack by Ardian Forces. In response to this attack, I have been ordered by His Imperial Majesty to begin formal proceedings to vote to declare war upon the Ardian Empire and her allies forthwith. Mr. Speaker, with your consent, I respectfully request your permission to begin such proceedings immediately."
— Esik Viras, Speech to the National Assembly prior to the formal declaration of war upon the Ardian Empire, c. 13 October, 1914.
"With one-hundred-and-seventy-seven delegates in favour and twenty-three against, the motion to formally declare war upon the Ardian Empire has passed. May God have mercy upon us, and may He preserve our people. Long live the Emperor!"
— Esik Viras, Announcement of the passing of the vote to declare war upon the Ardian Empire, c. 13 October, 1914.
"I didn't want war with Ardia. Having fought in the catastrophe that was the civil war, I knew exactly what would soon be faced. Was it worth it? All the lives we lost? All the people who never truly left it behind? I cannot say. War, though a tool used by Humanity in its darkest hour, not one to be wielded lightly. I knew my son would fight on the frontlines, and though he was eager to prove himself to me, he had already done so just by being born. I regret that he was wounded in battle, just as I regret losing my brother all those years ago. So yes, while it has facilitated the restoration of our lands in the west, I cannot in good faith say it was worth it."
— Esik Viras, The Journey Forwards, c. 1936
"The war that I have foreseen has come. The great trial of the new Ikhan is upon us. Though it may briefly end, it will not be finished until either we are gone from this world, or the Ardian Empire has fallen. Much suffering is still to come, regardless of what preconceived notions we may have had before."
— Esik Viras, c. 1914
"Though today we have struck a major blow, the war is not yet won. Soon, perhaps, we shall celebrate in Amatin, but first, much blood will have to be shed. Many lives will be destroyed on both sides, and a great cry shall come up out of our land."
— Esik Viras, remark on the Battle of Kosari, c. 1918
"At 12:00 PM, today, July 16th, 1919, an Ardian Delegation crossed the frontlines near Mt. Khanra to meet with representatives of the Imperial Government in order to discuss terms of an armistice. I come before you now, my people, to report to you that effective immediately, Ardian forces will cease combat operations across the frontline and withdraw 100 kilometers to the south-west. Likewise, our forces will move immediately to occupy these territories lost in 1868. Though the war is now over, this is not the final victory we will achieve over them. No. This is but the first in a long line of triumphs for the Arashin people. For the new Ikhan will rise, and with it, we shall overcome the Great Trial that we now face. It is our destiny... Now, all that is left it is to claim it."
— Esik Viras, announcement of the Armistice of 16 July, 1919, c. 1919
1920s
"The Ardian population within the recently reacquired regions of Ikhan in the last war should not be treated with contempt, for that not our way. Rather, to those who wish to stay, we should welcome them with open arms and prove to them that, unlike their former masters, we are not despots who would restrict their basic human rights."
— Esik Viras, Defense of the Act of Equality, c. 1921
"My dear Senator, I must ask you, what is the cost of breaking our treaty with the Ardians? Another million dead or wounded? Maybe two million? And what would we stand to gain other than millions of already-broken families losing yet another loved one, all for a scrap of land we can wait to reclaim? Clearly, you have never been forced to look in the glassed-over eyes of a dying soldier upon the battlefield, otherwise you would never have proposed such a motion."
— Esik Viras, Defense of the Treaty of Khanra, c. 1920
"We must of course prepare for the war that will come, however, for to not look ahead is to invite death. Anyone who believes the Ardian state will wait for us to fight upon our terms would be sorely mistaken, for though we gave them quite the fight, our blood is in the water. Now, we are prey to them once more, and we must be prepared at all costs to defend our glorious land from any threat, both within and without. Therefore, it is imperative to the security of the state that we improve our fortifications along the border with the Ardian state, while also reassessing the strategies used in the last war, if only so that we may prevent such widespread suffering from befalling our people once again."
— Esik Viras, proposal of the 1925 National Defense Act, c. 1925
"Back then, we were so certain that we stood little chance of defeating the Ardians again. Quite frankly, some of us weren't even sure that we'd make it through the decade. But we had to prepare nonetheless, to ready ourselves for the inevitable clash of nations that was on the horizon. Thus, we prepared for the worst, though we hoped for the best. A prolonged war would destroy us if fought now. It'd be at least twenty before we'd be capable of that again."
— Esik Viras, The Journey Forwards, c. 1936
1930s
"Let it be known: If Ikir is made Chancellor after I, then in fifteen year's time from when he takes power, the Empire will be brought to ruin. Military victory, he may attain, but the people will suffer greatly for it."
— Esik Viras, Private letter to Emperor Ashot I Vahram, c. 1937
"O' candle in the wind,
So fragile, yet so warm,
You burn with great passion,
Like that we serve our world."
— Death Poem of Esik Viras, c. 1937
"Such is life, that death inevitably comes..."
— Official last words of Esik Viras, c. 1937 — note: Esik briefly regained consciousness two hours later, during which time he said his actual last words
"Misko, my dear... Could you fetch me some water?"
— Actual last words of Esik Viras, c. 1937
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