IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO
A STUDY OF THE NEGRO RACE PROBLEM A NOVEL
Sutton E. Griggs
1899
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER. PAGE.
Berl Trout's Declaration 1 I A Small Beginning 3 II The School 8 III The Parson's Advice 15 IV The Turning of a Worm 24 V Belton Finds a Friend 38 VI A Young Rebel 48 VII A Sermon, a Sock, And a Fight 64 VIII Many Mysteries Cleared Up 83 IX Love and Politics 95 X Cupid Again at Work 111 XI No Befitting Name 125 XII On the Dissecting Board 139 XIII Married and yet not Married 161 XIV " " " " " (Continued) 171 XV Weighty Matters 177 XVI Unwritten History 188 XVII Crossing the Rubicon 200 XVIII The Storm's Master 223 XIX The Parting of Ways 249 XX Personal (Berl Trout) 262
TO THE PUBLIC.
The papers which are herewith submitted to you for your perusal and consideration, were delivered into my hands by Mr. Berl Trout.
The papers will speak for themselves, but Mr. Trout now being dead I feel called upon to say a word concerning him.
Mr. Berl Trout was Secretary of State in the Imperium In Imperio, from the day of its organization until the hour of his sad death. He was, therefore, thoroughly conversant with all of the details of that great organization.
He was a warm personal friend of both Bernard and Belton, and learned from their own lips the stories of their eventful lives.
Mr. Trout was a man noted for his strict veracity and for the absolute control that his conscience exercised over him.
Though unacquainted with the Imperium In Imperio I was well acquainted with Berl, as we fondly called him. I will vouch for his truthfulness anywhere.
Having perfect faith in the truthfulness of his narrative I have not hesitated to fulfil his dying request by editing his Ms., and giving it to the public. There are other documents in my possession tending to confirm the assertions made in his narrative. These documents were given me by Mr. Trout, so that, in case an attempt is made to pronounce him a liar, I might defend his name by coming forward with indisputable proofs of every important statement.
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: Imperium in Imperio: A Study of the Negro Race Pro
- 2: Berl trout's dying declaration
- 3: Piedmont sent her children to school
- 4: Piedmont and Belton had arrived at the step
- 5: I'll gib yer a lessun dat yer'll not furgit soon
- 6: Under such circumstances Belton began his school career
- 7: The thought of this coming happiness buoyed Belton up
- 8: Esteemed by Belton as a signal honor
- 9: Piedmont decided to keep Belton in school
- 10: And Belton for his pet aversion
- 11: Belton determined upon two things
- 12: Belton contrived a kind of prop with a weight attached
- 13: Belton fastened a strong rope to the weight
- 14: Bernard preferred to go to a northern institution
- 15: Living as the negro did beneath the American flag
- 16: He enquired of Belton his history
- 17: Belton very feelingly thanked Mr
- 18: And Belton was very inquisitive
- 19: Belton stared at this colored man
- 20: Belton turned and fled precipitately
- 21: Belton was instructed to prepare the complaint
- 22: Cowardly Negro which slavery left
- 23: Live in the heart of your Alma Mater
- 24: The Mississippian stooped down quietly and removed one shoe
- 25: The Mississippian was dumbfounded
- 26: Belton bowed and left the platform
- 27: Belton almost froze in his tracks
- 28: Terror immediately seized Belton
- 29: Belgrave was a woman with very superior education
- 30: The man arose and handed Bernard a note
- 31: Leonard had performed the nefarious deed knowingly
- 32: Bernard was always ready to defend them
- 33: Bernard received an invitation to this reception
- 34: Miss Viola Martin was a universal favorite
- 35: After a long while Bernard decided that Viola
- 36: Bernard decided to contest the election in Congress
- 37: And tabulated statements of the votes cast put in
- 38: After graduating from Stowe University
- 39: The principal said Miss Nermal
- 40: Miss Nermal thoroughly in love with Belton
- 41: All eyes were directed to Miss Nermal to see her refuse
- 42: Miss Nermal was no less reserved in her joy
- 43: Belton was summarily dismissed
- 44: But the educated malcontents moved in and out among them
- 45: Belton also stumbled upon another misconception
- 46: Belton grew more moody and despondent
- 47: He again bade home adieu and boarded the train for Cadeville
- 48: Made connection with the Cadeville train
- 49: He was joyfully received by the colored people of Cadeville
- 50: After Belton had been at Cadeville a few years
- 51: As he is our 'Nigger' living here at Cadeville
- 52: Zackland stole out of hiding and cut Belton's body down
- 53: Zackland at the hands of a negro
- 54: Bernard told of Belton's noble life
- 55: Bernard gazed at this lonesome cottage and said Viola
- 56: Bernard arose and started toward Viola
- 57: Bernard called at Viola's residence
- 58: DEAR BERNARD Viola has loved and left you
- 59: Study the question of the intermingling of the races
- 60: Tore it open and read as follows Waco
- 61: Said Belton you know as it is
- 62: Belton looked indifferent and unconcerned
- 63: Bernard was a bundle of expectancy
- 64: Belton began You will remember
- 65: Giving the negro the right to vote
- 66: As it had a well organized judiciary
- 67: Are President of the Imperium In Imperio
- 68: Spread fire brands everywhere in the ranks of the Imperium
- 69: To the left of the speaker's desk
- 70: The negro was driven cowering and trembling
- 71: Like Tantalus we reach up to grasp and eat
- 72: If a negro murders an Anglo Saxon
- 73: And each Anglo Saxon regards himself as a petty king
- 74: But the ballot has been snatched from our hands
- 75: Gentlemen of the Imperium in Imperio
- 76: Friends crowded around Belton and begged him to desist
- 77: It was the universal practice of mankind to enslave
- 78: Also exclude themselves from the lower forms
- 79: When we contrast the Anglo Saxon
- 80: For when lynching once gets started
- 81: And ballots are not meant to convey feelings
- 82: So majestic was its flight that the Negro
- 83: There is a weapon mightier than either of these
- 84: Offered Bernard the Presidency of the Imperium
- 85: Seize the capitol and hoist the flag of the Imperium
- 86: She was only concerned about Belton
- 87: He arrived in Waco in due time
- 88: President of the Imperium In Imperio