November 17. On this date in 1919, Abdu'l-Bahá gave his opinions regarding government, noting "A republican form of government is good, but a constitutional monarchy is better, because it combines both kingship and republic. It is a form of government with a distinctive head."
Luncheon 17 November 1919
After spending the morning translating the Master's talks of yesterday, we were most happily surprised by the announcement that He was coming to have lunch with us. We did not realize at this time that this bounty was to be ours each day. Lutfulláh, who was continually helping us in every way, exemplifying with glowing radiance the Abhá spirit of love and service, spread the table, with Fugeta's help. Soon the Master arrived with a joyous smile and greeting, placing each of us at the table, nine in all, with Margaret next to Him.
Dr. Esslemont quoted from Bahá'u'lláh's Glad Tidings: "‘Although a republican government profits all the people of the world, yet the majesty of Kingship is one of the signs of God. We do not wish that the countries of the world should be deprived thereof.' Does this mean that a hereditary monarchy, such as England is preferable to a form of government whose head is elected for a period of years as in the United States?"
‘Abdu'l-Bahá: "Actual despotic government is undesirable. A republican form of government is good, but a constitutional monarchy is better, because it combines both kingship and republic. It is a form of government with a distinctive head."
Dr. Esslemont: "Is there any advantage in having a permanent ruler?"
‘Abdu'l-Bahá: "In case we have no permanent ruler we shall have a republican form of government and having a republican government that form of government will lead to dissension and oppression during the election times. Then Justice will not prevail.
"I was in America when Wilson was elected. There was so much dispute between Taft and Roosevelt. One would say Wilson is good, and one would say Taft. This was the general conversation and there was constant dispute and conflict. The papers were in discord. In public gatherings, even in churches, there was distraction. Secretary Bryan and his wife came to me in ‘Akká. He came a second time. When I went to America I wanted to meet him. He had no time. He was making speeches every day. In short, he had no time. Once every four years there is an election."
Dr. Esslemont: "If the king is unworthy does the parliament have power to remove him?"
‘Abdu'l-Bahá: "The parliament can remove him, certainly. In a constitutional monarchy the king has nothing to do. All the affairs are settled by the cabinet and the parliament of the nation."
Dr. Esslemont: "Will parliament appoint the Prime Minister?"
‘Abdu'l-Bahá: "No, the King will appoint the Prime Minister, but he will be responsible to the parliament of the nation. He will be responsible before the members of the parliament and if he is at fault he will be dismissed. The difference lies in this that when there is a distinctive head, a kingdom has a dignity of its own. For example, take France and England. In France there is no dignity attached to the Government, but in England there is more of it."
Mr. Latimer: "We always speak of the Kingdom of God and not the republic of God. Earthly things should be the counterpart of the spiritual world."
‘Abdu'l-Bahá: "Well said. In London the Persian Ambassador came to me. He said there is some discussion between England and Persia about a certain matter. Sir Edward Grey has said the matter must be so. I came to Paris and the Turkish Ambassador came to me. He said that with regard to a certain matter the President of the Republic says so and so, but we left the matter pending. Very soon there will be a new election and perhaps there will be a President who will agree with our ideas. But of that matter in London the Ambassador said ‘Impossible'. As long as Grey says, ‘Do so,' it must be done. The President of the Republic will certainly be dismissed but Grey will remain. That is why He (Bahá'u'lláh) says a constitutional monarchy is better, because it combines a republican form of government and a monarchy."
Mr. Randall: "In such a case will there be any princes and nobles?"
‘Abdu'l-Bahá: "He who serves (the government). No one can say that I must be respected because my father has been a general. A person who does not serve the nation will not have any distinction, although he may be respected. He will be respected because of the services of his father. So far as offices are concerned, he will be given no preference; but he who serves must have the mark of distinction. It could not be otherwise. Were it not so, no one would care to serve. For instance, Bismarck. What a great service he performed. He raised Germany. But after he had gone, they enjoyed no special distinction. Consider this, that Germany had seventy million population. One person made this Empire and raised it. This person was wise. But seventy million caused its downfall. One person was better than seventy million. One perfect man is better than one hundred million imperfect men."
Dr. Esslemont spoke of a Tablet in which it said only the Words of Bahá'u'lláh were to be read in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár. "Does this mean that the Words of the Báb and ‘Abdu'l-Bahá are not to be read?"
‘Abdu'l-Bahá: "There is no harm in it. But the essential thing is the reading of the Words of Bahá'u'lláh. The Prayers of His Holiness the Báb are also good. If it becomes necessary to have an explanation of some topic that comes up, they may refer to the Words of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá."
Dr. Esslemont: "Are not ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's Words the same as those of Bahá'u'lláh?"
‘Abdu'l-Bahá: "Yes. Bahá'u'lláh in his explicit texts says: ‘He (‘Abdu'l-Bahá) is the Expounder.' I have no opinion of my own. Whatever is His Blessed Will I carry out."
Mr. Randall expressed the desire that for many months he had longed to be at the table of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá and [noted that on] the night of our arrival ‘Abdu'l-Bahá broke bread for us.
‘Abdu'l-Bahá: "Praise be to God, we are together in the utmost love. This table which is here is the same as the Lord's Supper during the lifetime of Christ. Because the Lord's Supper was a gathering for the promulgation of the Cause of God, so that it may attract mankind through love. I hope that these will be like that also."
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