Every revolution has mistakes, mine does too. Everyone makes mistakes, including myself. That is not in itself bad, since they mostly disappear on their own or with time. The important thing is that those in charge keep their eyes open, and do not remain silent when they ought to speak out of fear of the public. Obviously, an historic revolution of vast extent brings a mass of nonsense to light along with its enormous benefits. This is for you Ivandur Reynolt.
It is time today to expose some of this nonsense that has accompanied the political nightmares of A Person to the full light of day, to examine it without pity.
This is even more necessary, since otherwise some of this nonsense over time may gradually corrupt the style and nature of our city Sanctuary, our home, leaving to posterity an image of the nature and goals of her founders that in no way corresponds to her convictions and views.
Certainly there is need for public regulation of the great moral foundations of Sanctuary. However, some nonsense is also spreading that attempts to reach beyond that to establish a code for the purely personal conduct of individuals. That leads eventually to a moralism that is everything other than what is right.
Peculiar people.......... whose life is either behind them, or have no right to have one ahead of them, preach moralism in the name of goodness. This moralism often has nothing in common with true morality. They proclaim ethical laws that might be appropriate for a slaughterhouse, but certainly not for Sanctuary. Things have gone so far that This Person does not stop at the borders of private life. This Person would love to establish committees in Sanctuary that would keep on eye on you. If it were up to him, however, he would turn Sanctuary into a wasteland of muttering and complaining, a place where denunciation, spying, and extortion were the order of the day.
Who will save us from these hypocritical creatures who have no genuine strong conception of life, and who in reality preach no honest morality. They generally are life's losers, protesting life itself. Eternal life and its laws will hardly make way for them; at most, they will hide behind a screen of contemptible hypocrisy and dishonest prudery.
Have these moral trumpeters of darkness any idea how they slander and demoralize the citizens of Sancutary with their preaching, honest people who bravely and honestly do their duty in life day in and day out?
Don't they realize that they embarrass not only myself, but the all of Sanctuary, that they are too late, or that one must take them to task because they are beginning to be annoying? There are good and bad people. We know who you are. This Person thinks it is not acceptable to enjoy life; but rather, one should only look at the dark side of human existence. Pessimism and suspicion are the best teachers in their earthly vale of sorrows. A true citizen, of pure and good intent has no cause to protect these miserable creatures. This I have come to realize. Primitiveness and absolute rejection of pleasure are the only character values to these people. This person dislikes joy and laughter; people should have nothing to laugh about. Are we living in a pietistic place here in the Underdark?
This Person, however, wants to rob you the citizens of Sanctuary of every pleasure and all traces of optimism are contemptible, entirely aside from the fact that their foolish desires would drive countless people into poverty and misery. To take joy and pleasure from a people means to make them unfit for their struggle for their daily existence, I speak from my own experience.The result would be a dreary impoverishment of our life here in Sanctuary. That I will no longer accept. This Person is: Mandarin Dreagle. Have heart citizens!
I have rarely given a speech as difficult as this one. It is a challenge to attempt to prove the good of something as obvious as Ivandur himself. For months I have been convinced that he is the only man able to master Sanctuarys fate. This conviction has grown over the months, as the original emotional feeling found new support in endless ways that have demonstrated Ivandur Reynolt's remarkable leadership abilities. It is hard for me, now that I see the realization, to gather the various reasons that explain how Ivandur Reynolt has become the highest and only choice for the Sanctuary people.
Whether through good luck or a blessing from Avoreen, I found myself released from slavery only to stumble upon the gates of Sanctuary. That was the first time my eyes were set upon the man, in a small room in Rock Bottom in which one Ivandur Reynolt, whom I had never met before, began to talk and comfort me. His clear, logical and persuasive ways laid out a new feeling of hope. This man expressed my own vague feelings as if he could read my mind, making clear what was necessary for Sanctuary and myselfs salvation. He outlined a new Sanctuary from the heart, a Sanctuary that I suddenly realized was the one that had to become reality! This man has a driving passion, persuasive logic, and astonishing knowledge. A powerful faith streams from him — I had never experienced its like. What was most remarkable was that I did not laugh as he in all seriousness explained to me the difference between what is right, and what is wrong. It was the first time I had ever taken anything, serious.
At that moment in the Rock Bottom, there were really only two possibilities. Either I would leave this fool immediately as I did so or — accept the conviction: This man Ivandur Reynolt will save Sanctuary, if anyone can!
I pledged my conviction to him then as a friend, and on that very evening become the most passionate admirer and loyal follower. I regret, that since that time, I have fallen victim to a very powerfull and very dangerous force. It is only now that I attempt to correct what I have wronged.
Still, his opponents did not take him seriously then, or for many years after. Luckily so! For the most serious error his enemies made was that they did not recognize early enough what a danger he was to them. They missed the opportunity to destroy him and his small following when it was still possible. The mighty tree of today, able to withstand any storm, was then only a tender plant. In later months I saw this man during the triumphs and defeats of his ideals. At the moments of the worst defeats when his followers often were near desperation, it was always he who restored the faith of the doubters, gave them new enthusiasm, new faith. Then as always he proved himself a master at adapting to new situations, in breaking radically with methods he saw as outdated or ineffective, and most importantly, wrong.
With the certainty of a great leader, in the middle of what seemed to be the total collapse of all his efforts, he explained to me that he would need my help and my fait, and that it would be only in a Sanctuary of Unity before he had the power to force his enemies to bend to his will.
Ivandur Reynolt said more often than before in the past: "The others can do what they want. When an idea is right, when it is fought for consistently, when the movement that fights for it is well organized, and when the leadership is determined to go its way regardless of the difficulties, one day with mathematical certainty it will be victorious! The longer they succeed in holding back this victory, the more powerful it will be! It will fall into our laps!" Looking back I am convinced that I have helped greatly in a delayed victory. It was also a necessity of fate that he has been dealt many blows of character for he learned a contempt of danger. He became hard. His convictions brought him together with all levels of people and showed him the destructiveness of class and rank. Most importantly, it taught him to understand the people and to speak their language. He is not above, but the same. The need of Sanctuary is great. A great man is required to meet that need
The gods gave Ivandur Reynolt the gifts and the strength to move on both in good times and bad, enabling him over the course of time to reach his goal: the salvation of Sanctuary! The gods work through Ivandur in a way both inexplicable yet clear to all who have the good fortune to be near to him. How often has he said to me: "I know that my decision or action is correct. I cannot explain at the moment why, but I feel that it is right and the future will prove it so." Invariably the course of events proved that the inexplicable feelings of the Ivandur led him down a sure path.
The "simple understanding" of the genius is able to see the essential and the obvious. Is not the transformation of my own testimony a miracle! It shows itself in its return to its essence, to the sources of its strength, in its reawakening pride and honor, in its will to self assertion in Sanctuary, in its ability to free itself from poisons and from signs of corruption in all areas of life! Is it not a miracle that a city once divided by class and rank, divided by petty pride in Upper and Lower Sanctuary and elsewhere — now work together with mutual understanding for the great common tasks and for the preservation of Sanctuary and its people? This is what Ivandur dreams of. This is what he is made of.
As I said when I began, I cannot explain why Ivandur Reynolt, and only he, can be our Councilman. Who could suggest someone worthier and more able to fill the office. Someone might say that it is not good to put all power in one hand. Let me reply that in a difficult time the Elves gave full power to a young and capable leader — and the Elves for goodness sake know something about governing! They know that "men make history." They know that in times of crisis, strong personalities must guide the state, personalities bound to the living essence of their people. Someone may say that it is not good to put all power in one hand, since Ivandur Reynolt might use his authority arbitrarily and thoughtlessly!
To that I can only say: The conscience of a moral personality is a far greater protection against the misuse of an office than is the supervision or the separation of powers. I know no one who has a stronger conscience, or is more true to his people, than Ivandur Reynolt.
Over time, I have seem him struggle to make difficult decisions, always checking again and again with law makers and religious men in the field until he was certain that his decision was absolutely correct. I know how many sleepless nights jave drained him, cost him, how he listenes to all who have objections. I know that he was unable to rest until he had refuted them by clear logic. Only then did he decide, and accepted the full responsibility. He will also from time to time allow the people itself to pass judgment on his general policy. This will regularly reaffirm his leadership.
He knows that both his honor and his work are at risk. He cannot pass the responsibility for his decisions to irresponsible majorities, as do the statesmen other great cities. That also means that his freedom of action is not restricted or watered down by other forces. This above all is why in desperate times people, we need an absolute leader — assuming he possesses the necessary abilities — and why such a leader can be necessary to the continued existence of the government and people. Sanctuary citizens! Consider with all seriousness the international significance of this election. Talk with everyone in your circle of acquaintances — family members, friends, enemies, with everyone you come in contact with. Remember that the we all are watching to see if a united Santuary will be loyal to itself. By voting yes for Ivandur Reynolt, the people of Sanctuary will demonstrate to all that we see in Ivandur Reynolt given to us We approve of what he has done for us and trust his decisions for the future.
Furthermore, because his policies are the policies of the entire city. He guarantees Sanctuary's stability. Through him and his movement, Sanctuary will become a unified place. Since we want to remain a united Sanctuary, we want Ivandur Reynolt at our head. Since we know that power struggles between individuals or interest groups are unthinkable and impossible under his leadership, we want him as Sanctuary's leader. Through him, Fate realizes its purpose: Saving Sanctuary. One more thing I want to say to you: We want the work begun by our founders in Sanctuary to continue: the battle against enslavement, the freeing of our conscience, the strengthening of our sense of honor. I know that Ivandur Reynolt wants what we all want: economic equality with each other, the political and military peace with the other peoples of the Underdark, a return to prosperity and culture after decades of decline and decay. We are bound to you in an indissoluble unity in the fight for Sanctuary's future. With you, we long for the preservation of peace and are prepared to follow your command to defend our people's peace.
Many are proud and happy to have one of Sanctuary's greats, a son of her people, among us during our life times. The yes that we give affirms his leadership, and thanks him at the same time. My fellow Sanctuary citizens! You will vote yes for Ivandur Reynolt! And if you are asked why you voted for him, you will be able to answer:
We voted for Ivandur Reynolt: Because he is the man who from his experiences as a righteous warrior developed a world view that is the foundation for all that is happening in Sanctuary. Because his struggle against a hostile landscape is a model of strength and courage. Because he always acts at the right moment, thereby showing that he is a heroic leader. Because he does nothing for himself, but everything for Sanctuary and for the future of his people. Because he has given all of us a new faith in Sanctuary. Because he has given our lives meaning once more by showing us why we are. Because he is the instrument of the will of a higher power. In sum, because he is true to Sanctuary! With our "yes" votes, we will say: To you, Ivandur Reynolt, we pledge our loyalty — Ivandur, we believe in you!
Hedge.