Mad Kings & Queens, Week IX [Monday, Period 4]

[atreideslioness]

"Joshua Abraham Norton, the self-proclaimed His Imperial Majesty Emperor Norton I, was a celebrated citizen of San Francisco, California, who in 1859 proclaimed himself 'Emperor of these United States' and 'Protector of Mexico,'" Ghanima said, launching right into the lecture as the last student was seated. "Born in London, Norton spent most of his early life in South Africa; he emigrated to San Francisco in 1849 after receiving a bequest of $40,000 from his father's estate. Norton initially made a living as a businessman, but he lost his fortune in a bad investment. Afterward, he disappeared for a few years, vanishing from any sort of public record."


"When Norton returned to San Francisco from his self-imposed exile, he had become completely disgruntled with what he considered the vicissitudes and inadequacies of the legal and political structures of the United States. On September 17, 1859, he took matters into his own hands and distributed letters to the various newspapers in the city, proclaiming himself 'Emperor of these United States'. Thus commenced his unprecedented and whimsical twenty-one-year "reign" over America. In his self-appointed role of emperor, Norton issued numerous decrees on matters of the state. After assuming absolute control over the country, he saw no further need for a legislature, and on October 12, 1859, he issued a decree that formally "dissolved" the United States Congress." Ghanima smiled brightly. "As those of you that are American can guess, Congress continued in its activities unperturbed."

"Norton issued further decrees in 1860 that purported to dissolve the republic and to forbid the assembly of any members of the Congress. Norton's battle against the elected leaders of America was to persist throughout what he considered his reign, though it appears that Norton eventually, if somewhat grudgingly, accepted that Congress would continue to exist without his permission, although this did not change his feelings on the matter. Not that I blame him," she remarked. "In the hopes of resolving the many disputes between citizens of the United States during the Civil War, Norton issued a mandate in 1862 ordering both the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant churches to publicly ordain him as 'Emperor', and on August 12, 1869, "being desirous of allaying the dissensions of party strife now existing within our realm", he abolished both the Democratic and Republican parties. Again, he was ignored by the government, although he remained undaunted."

"For all of his quirks and regardless of the precise nature of his psychological condition, Norton was on some occasions a visionary, and a number of his "Imperial Decrees" exhibited a profound foresight. Among his many edicts were instructions to form a League of Nations, and he explicitly forbade any form of discord or conflict between religions or their sects. Norton also saw fit on a number of occasions to decree the construction of a suspension bridge or tunnel connecting Oakland and San Francisco."

"Norton was much loved and revered by the citizens of San Francisco. Although penniless, he regularly ate at the finest restaurants in San Francisco; these restaurateurs then took it upon themselves to add brass plaques in their entrances declaring "[b]y Appointment to his Imperial Majesty, Emperor Norton I of the United States." By all accounts, such "Imperial seals of approval" were much prized and a substantial boost to trade. Supposedly, no play or musical performance in San Francisco would dare to open without reserving balcony seats for Norton, and he was allowed to issue his own money on occasion in order to pay for certain debts, and this became an accepted local currency in San Francisco. Typically these notes came in denominations ranging anywhere from fifty cents to ten dollars; the few notes still extant are collector's items."

"In 1867, a police officer named Armand Barbier arrested Norton for the purpose of committing him to involuntary treatment for a mental disorder. The arrest outraged the citizens of San Francisco and sparked a number of scathing editorials in the newspapers. Police Chief Patrick Crowley speedily rectified matters by ordering Norton released and issuing a formal apology on behalf of the police force, observing that of the self-styled monarch "that he had shed no blood; robbed no one; and despoiled no country; which is more than can be said of his fellows in that line," and Norton was magnanimous enough to grant an "Imperial Pardon" to the errant young police officer. Possibly as a result of this scandal, all police officers of San Francisco thereafter saluted Norton as he passed in the street.

On the evening of January 8, 1880, Norton collapsed on the corner of California Street and Dupont Street, now Grant Avenue, in front of Old St. Mary's Church while on his way to a lecture at the California Academy of Sciences. His collapse was immediately noticed and "the police officer on the beat hastened for a carriage to convey him to the City Receiving Hospital," but Norton died before a carriage could arrive. The following day the San Francisco Chronicle published his obituary on its front page under the headline "Le Roi est Mort". In a tone tinged with sadness, the article respectfully reported that, "[o]n the reeking pavement, in the darkness of a moon-less night under the dripping rain..., Norton I, by the grace of God, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, departed this life"."

It quickly became evident that Norton had died in complete poverty. Five or six dollars in small change had been found on his person, and a search of his room at the boarding house on Commercial Street turned up a single sovereign, worth around $2.50; his collection of walking sticks; his rather battered saber; a variety of hats; an 1828 French franc; and a handful of the Imperial bonds he sold to tourists at a fictitious 7% interest. There were fake telegrams purporting to be from Emperor Alexander II of Russia, congratulating Norton on his forthcoming marriage to Queen Victoria, and from the President of France, predicting that such a union would be disastrous to world peace. Also found were his letters to Queen Victoria and 98 shares of stock in a defunct gold mine."

"Initial funeral arrangements included a pauper's coffin of simple redwood. However, members of a San Franciscan businessman's association established a funeral fund that paid for a handsome rosewood casket and arranged a suitably dignified farewell. Norton's funeral on Sunday, January 10th, was a solemn, mournful, and large affair, and some accounts report that as many as 30,000 people lined the streets to pay homage, and that the funeral cortege was two miles long. He was buried at the Masonic Cemetery, at the expense of the City of San Francisco."


"In 1934, Norton's remains were transferred, as were all graves in the city, at the expense of the City of San Francisco to a grave site of moderate splendor at Woodlawn Cemetery, in Colma. The site is marked by a large stone inscribed "Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico."

[TL;DR Class is TL;DR, but wait for the OCD is up!]

Comments

Sign-In #9

[atreideslioness]

As befitting an Emperor of These United States!

Re: Sign-In #9

[lordofthecats.livejournal.com]

Lion-o

During the Lecture

[atreideslioness]

Take notes, pass notes, wonder if Ghanima is ever going to stop talking.

Re: During the Lecture

[lordofthecats.livejournal.com]

There was a lot of information today, but Lion-o didn't mind it. Emperor Norton sound a lot nicer than some of the more insane monarchs they covered, even if Lion-o had to admit that the guy seemed a bit loopy.

Re: During the Lecture

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah took copious notes. The way this guy tried to go about doing things was kind of fascinating.

Re: During the Lecture

[solo_sword]

This was a lighter class than last week's, and though Jaina much preferred this subject matter... it was still plenty weird to her, yes. People were strange.

Re: During the Lecture

[weetuskenraider]

Well, this was definitely a nice change from last week's topic, and Tahiri looked more comfortable today. Amused, even -- why couldn't more crazy rulers be like this?

Re: During the Lecture

[momslilassassin]

Ben had slid into his seat with seconds to spare before class began, and so he was incredibly grateful that the lecture today was on a rather benevolent form of crazy, rather than the homicidal form he'd grown used to at home.

Re: During the Lecture

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Liir took notes and wasn't sure what to think of the man. Some part of him was bitter and thought of him as a scam. Another, larger part, felt sorry for him. And yet there was one part, at what seemed to be the very bottom of his heart, that was almost...

Joyous.

Perhaps those people had a point. For the first time in class, he was sad a 'monarch' was dead.

Re: During the Lecture

[cataclysmicluck.livejournal.com]

The thing about this class is that it was not only interesting, but it also was making Zayne much faster at entering information into his datapad.

Class Discussion: Crazy or Visionary?

[atreideslioness]

"Norton spent his days as emperor inspecting the streets of San Francisco in an elaborate blue uniform with tarnished gold-plated epaulets, given to him by officers of the United States Army post at the Presidio of San Francisco," Ghanima said briskly. "He also wore a beaver hat decorated with a peacock feather and a rosette. He frequently enhanced this regal posture with a cane or an umbrella. During his inspections, Norton would examine the condition of the sidewalks and cable cars, the state of repair of public property, and the appearance of police officers. Norton would also frequently give lengthy philosophical expositions on a variety of topics to anyone within earshot at the time."

"It was during one of his inspections that Norton is reputed to have performed one of his most famous acts of "diplomacy." During the 1860s and 1870s, there were a number of anti-Chinese demonstrations in the poorer districts of San Francisco. Ugly riots, some resulting in fatalities, broke out on several occasions. During one such incident, Norton allegedly positioned himself between the rioters and their Chinese targets, and with a bowed head started reciting the Lord's Prayer repeatedly until the rioters dispersed without incident."

"Combined with his other 'Imperial Decrees', such as the League of Nations and his insistence on all religions remaining tolerant and respectful of each other, one has to wonder exactly how 'mad' this madman was. Was he actually insane, or simply a frustrated man with ideas far ahead of his time?"

"To this day, he continues to inspire other visionaries; writers, artists, politicians... he appears as a patron saint in the religion of Discordianism, and there was an issue of a highly popular comic book with him as the subject. Even as recently as 2004, there was a political push to have a bridge named for him. If he was mad, why is he honored so? If he was not...why was he not heeded by more than the population of San Francisco?"

Re: Class Discussion: Crazy or Visionary?

[lordofthecats.livejournal.com]

"It seems to me that even though he was clearly mad, he offered a message that people could believe in," said Lion-o. "If I have my dates correct, doesn't his reign as 'emperor' coincide with a period of civil war in this country? His message must have really meant something to the people of San Francisco because of the turmoil they faced."

Re: Class Discussion: Crazy or Visionary?

[solo_sword]

"Oh, I'd say he was definitely crazy," Jaina said. "Which isn't to say someone who is can't have good ideas and do good things. And it may also say something about the political system here, I don't know. But he seemed harmless, did some good, and people like their heroes, so I can see why the people of San Francisco would have taken a liking to him. But once you get further from there, I'm sure he really just looked like a crazy guy with some serious quirks to everyone else."

Re: Class Discussion: Crazy or Visionary?

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"What made him any crazier than any king or emperor?" he asked, oddly defensive of the man. Perhaps because he was nothing despite certain 'claims' he held. Perhaps because he lived in a world where a wizard had come from another place and taken the throne.

Perhaps...

"If he had power and he used it for good, had a voice and spoke for tolerance, and asked for nothing more than what he needed to eat and a roof over his head, I'd almost say he was the sane one."

Talk to the TAs

[atreideslioness]

If you're afraid of Ghanima chatting your ear off.

Re: Talk to the TAs

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin had plenty of ears to spare if that was the case!

Re: Talk to the TAs

[raspberryturk]

Reno's ears weren't quite as generously sized as Merlin's, but he was there, and mellow, and totally up for listening if need be.

Talk with Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

She's around, still looking pleased from the events of yesterday.

OOC

[atreideslioness]

They say that the world rests on the backs of 36 living saints — 36 unselfish men and women. Because of them the world continues to exist. They are the secret kings and queens of this world... I've met a lot of kings, and emperors and heads of state in my time, Joshua. I've met them all. And you know something? I think I liked you best.

* Death, in "Three Septembers and a January", The Sandman #31, by Neil Gaiman.

I <3 Emperor Norton.

Re: OOC

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwwww. :> Heard of him first in a Barbara Hambly book. Thought he was awesome.

Re: OOC

[lordofthecats.livejournal.com]

I may be more fascinated with the subject than Lion-o. Too bad he doesn't understand theories of psychology and political leadership like I do!

Re: OOC

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

...I might have read that as 'I <3 Ed Norton' and thought 'Well, who doesn't?'

Re: OOC

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

*waves the Discordian flag hiiigh*

Re: OOC

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

He was such an awesome man. :)

Re: OOC

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

NORTON IMPERATOR, by Dr. George Chismore

"No more through the crowded streets he goes,
With his shambling gait and shabby clothes,
And his furtive glance and whiskered nose--
Immersed in cares of state.
The serpent twisted upon his staff
Is not less careless of idle chaff,
The mocking speech or the scornful laugh,
Than be who bore it late.
His nerveless grasp has released the helm,
But ere the Lethean flood shall whelm
The last faint trace of his fancied realm,
Let us contrast his fate
With other rulers and other reigns,
Of royal birth or scheming brains,
And see if his crazy life contains
So much to deprecate.
No traitorous friends, or vigilant foes,
Rippled the stream of his calm repose;
No fear of exile before him 'rose,
Whose empire was his pate;
No soldiers died to uphold his fame;
He found no pleasure in woman's shame;
For wasted wealth no well-earned blame
Turned subjects' love to hate.
No long and weary struggle with pain;
One sudden throe in his clouded brain
Closed forever his bloodless reign,
With every man his friend.
For Death alone did be abdicate.
What Emperor, Prince or potentate,
Can long avoid a similar fate
Or win a better end!"

*makes an EEEEE noise*