Modern Fables, 1902: The Fool and the Statesman

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Wednesday October 24, 2012 · 3:33 PM PDT

2012/10/24 · 15:33

I've been cataloging old publications for the past few weeks, for context. The anarchist journal Free Society isn't exactly the 1902 equivalent of Kos, but this "Modern Fable" from the January 1902 edition might ring a few distant bells.

The Fool and the Statesman

A certain simple fellow, who had often voted the Republican ticket and shouted for national honor and prosperity, died. When his spirit presented itself at the heavenly gate and knocked for admittance, St. Peter surveyed him critically thru his gold-rimmed spectacles, and asked him if he was riding or walking.

“I am walking, your saintship,” answered the honest fellow

“Then,” said St. Peter, “I shall turn you away, as we are admitting today only those who are mounted.” The fellow turned sadly away, when he encountered a certain great statesman he had often voted for in life. “You can’t get in today unless you are mounted,” he told the statesman.

“I’ll tell you what,” said the Great Man; “you take me upon your back, and we will thus both get in.” Much pleases at this wise suggestion, the simple fellow complied, and mounted upon his back the great statesman presented himself at the gate and demanded admission.

“Riding or walking?” inquired St. Peter.

“Riding,” boldly replied the statesman.

“Oh, I see,” said the old gate-keeper, as he took in the situation. “Well, just hitch your donkey outside and come in.”

Moral: Statesmen who ride into offices upon the shoulders of the fool voters generally do the same way.

A bit of old newspaper from the Golden Age of conservatism More of the same newspaper, with page number and the beginning of the next Fable

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