Four Days In February
Page 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The clock showed the time, 8:30 a.m. as Bull began to make the TV broadcast. "My fellow Americans. As your President, I, Ulysses Pinchon, speak to you this morning from the Oval Office of the White House. As you saw on your televisions yesterday, I was sworn in as 'Acting President'.
"It is my sad first task today to inform you of the death of President Thomas Woods. He died yesterday, after my swearing in, and after he spoke briefly to you, the American people. He loved you much, and served but a few tumultuous days, having succeeded to the presidency himself, only three weeks earlier, after the assassination of President Caroline Carr.
"As he told you yesterday, he took extraordinary, but constitutional steps, to make it possible for me to succeed him. He knew he was going to die of his illness. It was his determination to provide a safe, expeditious, and constitutional transition, because he knew the crises the nation was experiencing.
"Though I did not seek it, I have accepted, and sworn to execute the office of President of the United States of America. I take this on without reservation or equivocation. I will defend and protect the Constitution of the United States. I am no longer 'Acting President,' but 'President!'
"The American people can know, and our many friends in other countries may know, and also our enemies must know, that the United States has a constitutional President, a Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, directing the Executive Department, and the affairs of state. This nation will continue to be governed under law, in an orderly fashion, under the light of the sun, and the full view of our people.
"My government will seek the nation's freedom, safety and welfare, and the people's life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. I promise to the American people that we will find who carried out, and were responsible for the assassination of President Carr, and they will suffer the consequences.
"I ask the American people to unite, at this time, and help me heal this nation's wounds. I need your prayers for the awesome tasks that are before me. I need you to calmly go about your normal life. Work hard, pay your bills, buy the things of life, save for the future, go to school, study hard, exercise, play sports, love your families, be kind to others. Make plans for the future, and seek to achieve them. Mine minerals, harvest lumber, farm the land, fish the seas, manufacture products, buy and sell merchandise, operate businesses, trade stocks and bonds. Be candidates in future elections, vote in those elections, serve in office, join the military, be firemen and police officers. Take care of parents and children, go to church, and take vacations. Live your life, and live it normally. Be an American, a patriot, a citizen; be free. This is what your Constitution enables, and what former generations sacrificed and died to make possible.
"I speak now to those in other countries. We seek your friendship, and to be your friend; we ask for your cooperation. Let us together seek each other's freedom and prosperity.
"If you will not be our friend, do not question the power or resolve of this nation and its people. In the past some have foolishly doubted the strength of America, and lost terrible wars as a result. We seek war and confrontation with no one. We have ambition for no other country's territory, or for any people's possessions. We want to live in peace. But let no one doubt we will fight, if we or our allies are attacked. If you too want peace, there will be peace. If you make war, you will receive the whirlwind of war.
"I turn now to the crises here in America. Most of the current international uncertainty about America, has its basis in the confusion being sown by some Americans. This is something that must stop.
"Secretary of Defense Mitch Ishnik has claimed to have become President of the United States. He has rallied supporters to follow him. He has even commanded forces of the Army to seize parts of the nation's capital. He is not the constitutional successor to President Woods. He is in the line of succession, but there are others ahead of him.
"However, there is no vacancy in the presidency now. It has been lawfully and constitutionally filled. Therefore there is nothing for him or others to succeed to. Moreover, I am now in control of the forces in Washington, D.C. They are following my orders, and will retire to their home bases by the end of today.
"Because Secretary Ishnik has persisted in his claims, and unconstitutional actions, I have just issued an executive order, removing him immediately, as Secretary of Defense. For a brief period of time, I am taking personal control of the Department of Defense. I have also removed the Chairman, and most of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, of the military. I have appointed four star Marine General Fritz Huffstetter as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. I have also appointed other appropriate officers to serve as the Joint Chiefs of their respective Services. Until all such are confirmed by the Senate, I shall take advice from these officers, and issue orders as Commander-in-Chief. The former Chairman, and most Military Chiefs are removed, I therefore urge the Senate to confirm the new Chairman and Joint Chiefs expeditiously. Other changes will be made in various commands, according to the advice of these officers.
"I have asked the rest of the Cabinet of Presidents' Woods, and Carr, to remain in their posts. They have accepted, and I have confidence they will fulfill their responsibilities. I especially thank the Secretary of the Treasury, Hermann Wiesmeyer and Secretary of State, Philip Dabold, for their courage and faithful service in this time of crisis. They have joined me temporarily here in the White House, but will return today to guide their Departments.
"Let me say that I have confidence that America will resolve its present issues . I say this because I have confidence in the American people. As Abraham Lincoln said, this is a government 'of the people, by the people, and for the people,' and it 'shall not perish from the earth.' The American people are talented, resourceful, energetic, and brave. We have come through hard times before, and with God's help, we will come through these.
"But most of all, I have confidence in America, because America is great. Why do I say that? For the same reason as a quote ascribed to a French philosopher named, Alexis De Tocqueville. He is said to have visited America when it was a new nation in the 1830s. De Tocqueville is quoted as saying to the effect: 'I sought for the genius of America in her commodious harbors; her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests, and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce; her institutions of higher learning, and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.'
"America is still good. Let us do good together. Let's go to work today, be productive, and be happy. God bless the United States of America."
"That was President Ulysses Pinchon, speaking from the Oval Office of the White House. He spoke for just fourteen minutes, to inform and comfort the nation.
"This is John Sanker, at the anchor desk of Network News. What you have been watching was broadcast by all the major networks, from our media 'pool' camera.
"I have to say, that while short, this speech was powerful, and covered many bases. Everything from: constitutional succession to alleged unconstitutional actions by the Defense Secretary; war to peace, from going to work , and going on vacation.
"Let's bring in Stanley Worth, Network News, Senior White House Reporter. Stanley, it is good to be back in communication with you. You have been in the White House overnight, stuck in there, cut off from the world. The Secret Service wouldn't let you communicate with the outside world, and the Army wouldn't let you out. Are you OK, how did it go in there, and what did you think of President Pinchon's speech?"
"John, it is good to be able to speak to you again. It has been strange being incommunicado. Normally everybody knows the press is in the White House to 'repo
rt.' But that was impossible last night, and until just when the President began to speak. That is when our communication and broadcasting capabilities were restored by the Secret Service. Until then we were just recording what we knew, but could not do anything with it. One AP reporter tried to sneak out, but the Secret Service brought him back."
"Was he mistreated, Stanley?"
"No, not really. He was cuffed and brought back in, but then allowed to rejoin his fellows. He is reporting now." All of us were treated fine. They gave us food, and a room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to sleep in. Not that we got much sleep. We were all trying to talk to anyone who came near us to find out what was going on. We were even trying to interview the stewards bringing us food. They didn't know anything more than we did."
"What did you think about the speech?"
"It shows that President Pinchon is going to be a change from the past three weeks. Lethargy in government, is gone. No one in charge, is gone. Nothing happening, is gone."
"Yes, he really is shaking things up over at the Defense Department. Let's go to Merv Tanner, our Pentagon Reporter. Merv, what can you tell us about the reception of the President's speech at the DoD. What about firing Secretary Ishnik, and most of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?"
"Well, I cannot report too much about the reaction. The press during the speech, was thrown out of the Pentagon, supposedly by order of Secretary Ishnik. Armed guards have been placed at the entrances."
"That doesn't sound good."
"No, it would appear that Ishnik wants to make this his fortress, and try and make his claim for the presidency by using all the Pentagon's levers of power."
"But Merv, do those levers still work? Can Ishnik still use them, considering that President Pinchon has issued an order firing him."
"That is the question of the hour," John. The only thing I can say is I don't think we are going to have to wait long to find out. If Ishnik can do something he will! If President Pinchon can take control of the Pentagon, he will.
"This is a test of will and power, of two very determined men, both claiming to be protecting and defending the Constitution. They have known each other for a long time, and have had rivalries, and fights before."
"But nothing like this," said John Sanker.
"No," John, nothing like this. Ishnik pushed General Pinchon into retirement some time ago, because he didn't think he was a team player, at least on Secretary Ishnik's team!"
"Roanna Jackson, over at Capitol Hill, how and what are you doing? What do you know about all of this?"
"Well, most Congressmen and Senators are not here yet. The Senate isn't due to begin meeting until 10:00 a.m. There are some staffers around, and they are startled. Congress, just yesterday, passed a motion recognizing Mr. Ishnik, as President, and censured Mr. Pinchon. You tell me how that is going to work out! I sure don't know?"
"Stanley Worth here at the White House. So Roanna, are you saying you expect the Congress which initially made Pinchon, Speaker, and enabled him to succeed President Woods; and then flipped and censured him, is going to stand its ground? Will the Legislative and Executive Departments square off at each other, in a constitutional clash?"
"I honestly don't know Stanley. This Congress has lurched from side to side on various matters. It has been dysfunctional since it convened in January. It would not shock me if they fought for Ishnik, or rolled over again, and quietly accepted President Pinchon."
"Wow, we still don't know how this is going to end. We will have to watch and learn," John Sanker commented.
"And hopefully live through it!" Roanna Jackson added.
"You are watching Network News, we will be back after a short break for a message from our sponsors."
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