Once, when visiting a distant country, John James (sometimes called ‘The
Red,’ sometimes ‘The Wanderer’) saw a number of men being dragged to
gaol through the streets of the capital. He turned to a stranger who was
also looking on, and said: ‘Sir, I am not of this country, as you may
guess from my faltering speech. Pray tell me what these poor fellows
have done that they should be thus handled.’
The stranger replied, with some heat: ‘Sir, you may well ask that. These
men--heroes all of them--have dared to oppose out unjust rulers. They
are lovers of Truth and Freedom, and so have become the victims of that
vile tyranny which passes here for government. They are all--as you can
see--noble and virtuous--the friends of society.’ So John James went on
his way, grieved that the country should be so badly served.
Five years later, however, he found himself in the same city. Again, he
saw a number of men being driven through the streets to the gaol. And
again he turned to one who was standing near, but found him no stranger,
for it was no other than the man he had questioned before.
‘Tell me,’ said John James, ‘what these poor fellows have done that they
should lose their freedom, or perhaps their lives.’
The other replied with more heat than before: ‘Sir, that is quickly
answered. These fellows--insolent scoundrels all of them--have opposed
our God-appointed rulers. Such ruffians are the enemies of Freedom and
Truth, and deserve the fate that our just government has appointed for
them. They are all--as you can see--vicious and depraved--the enemies of
society.’
So John James passed on, pleased to learn that the country was now well
governed.