Statement from General Aguilo, Revolutionary Commander - Western Front

After dealing with a fairly straightforward topic in the morning, our afternoon session was intended to address the executive structure of the new government. We got off to a spirited debate over a single leader that I proposed vs a council that was proposed by Robert and supported by that agitator. We were having a fruitful discussion when Charles interjected with an insane proposal. He suggested a system based on the United Kingdom of Hibion, which included a prime minister and a weak monarch.

At that time, I regretted supporting his role in this convention. His proposal of restoring the monarchy was an insult to all the brave revolutionaries who fought against the tyranny of Valerius. However, his idea was quickly shut down. Common sense prevailed. Charles would prove useful later in the week, and his bad ideas were kept in check by the rest of the members, so I think my instincts to allow his participation were correct. He needed to be humbled so he could understand his place in these proceedings, and then he could serve his purpose.

Of course, his little monarchy diversion wasted some time, and our full discussion of the executive had to be delayed until the following day. Still, I suppose it doesn’t hurt to bring up the topic and decisively reject monarchy once and for all. Even that agitator was in agreement. She has revolutionary instincts that show through in her rejection of a king, but she is naive. Our early agreement would turn to hostility later in the week, as she rejected the proper role of the revolutionary army.

My only surprise in this debate is that my fellow officers showed some support for a monarch. Oliphaunt with great enthusiasm, and Dauphin with mild interest but eventual rejection. Still, they both fought bravely for the right to be here, and they are entitled to express their opinions.

Dispatch from Admiral Dauphin, Revolutionary Naval Command

The afternoon brought a storm I didn’t expect. We were meant to discuss the executive, when Charles tossed out a weak monarchy. I don’t think anyone expected that.

Honestly, I was open to the suggestion. A truly weak or even ceremonial monarch shouldn’t be able to inflict acts of tyranny on us as Valerius had done. Imitating the government of Hibion might be reassuring to them. I can say right now, the Hibion Navy is our biggest adversary at sea, and the ceasefire Charles negotiated has been a huge relief to us, even if temporary. If we could impress them and establish a permanent peace, it would give us a chance to rebuild our own navy, which is in a dire state.

Even though I saw benefits to the proposal, I could also see which way the room was going. Even Crysta, who had been relatively restrained in the morning, was baring her teeth at the suggestion of a monarch. Aguilo, Robert, and Emilia were strongly opposed as well. When Crysta finally ended the debate and forced a vote, I voted for republic. Although I was open to Charles’s suggestion, my honest preference is for a republic over monarchy. I do feel bad for Charles and Oliphaunt though, stubbornly sticking to monarchy until the end, only to lose in a lopsided vote.

We lost some time with this monarchy debate, but I knew the executive debate would continue tomorrow, and I had already heard multiple proposals from the other members. I spent a bit of time that night thinking of ways to bridge the gap between the different proposals, so I would have something to contribute the following day. The more I thought about it, the more I came to the conclusion that all the proposals had some merits, and that a compromise is not merely pragmatic, but potentially optimal, giving us the best of each system.

Official Communique from Ambassador Charles, Envoy to the United Kingdom of Hibion

This shouldn’t be necessary, but given the heightened scrutiny this convention has faced, and the scrutiny I am personally under, I feel I must defend my proposal from the afternoon of day 1. I proposed a system similar to the United Kingdom of Hibion, a country which I am very familiar with, having spent considerable time there as a diplomat. Unlike most of our neighbors, which are ruled by monarchs with almost unlimited power, Hibion’s monarch is quite weak, and is growing weaker over time.

Their government is genuinely democratic, with an elected lower house, a hereditary upper house, a prime minister responsible to the lower house, and a figurehead monarch. It seems a system well designed to resist tyranny. I believed that if we made Valerius’s son our crown prince, and made a royal cousin a regent until he reached adulthood, it would send a signal to the royalists that they do not need to worry about revolutionary sentiments running out of control.

Despite my good intentions, I was mistaken in bringing forth this proposal. I should have realized the people had thoroughly rejected a monarchy and will not allow it to return. So I humbly accept this decision. I will consider alternative ways to signal moderation to the Royalist Coalition. There are still many reasonable options at our disposal, which will be discussed in later days of the convention.

From the Office of Chancellor Pepe, Acting Head of Civil Service

Day 1 - Afternoon - Republic vs Monarchy

Our afternoon session was supposed to focus on the structure of the executive branch of government. Charles distracted us with a proposal based on the government of Hibion. It has a prime minister responsible to a parliament and a weak monarch. I can't imagine why he thought that was a good idea.

I pointed out that a prime minister and a monarch are really separate questions. The room agreed, but instead of dealing with the substantive issue of the executive branch, they decided to instead focus on the frivolous monarchy debate. A republic or a monarch with a ceremonial role is such an insignificant difference, it's not even worth discussing. Executive debate postponed until tomorrow. At least day 2 should have more weighty issues for me to sink my teeth into.

Result - Restoration of Monarchy rejected 5-2-1

Republic: Crysta, Aguilo, Dauphin, Robert, Emilia

Monarchy: Oliphaunt, Charles

Abstain: Myself(I have little interest in the outcome of this particular debate)