HOME | DD

Description

As Texas continues to sit, rarely idle despite what the map may show. Maps are for broad strokes, big shots, made for easy digestion. Under the surface of the map, at a personal level, from the West Coast to the Mississippi, times a' changin'. The people yearn for abolition. The pox of slavery now drawing down across the western states. Men, black, white, yellow, and red slowly start to sing the songs of freedom and of the worlds beauty. While all men are still not created equal in the eyes of American law, these men, these nations of the Western Americas argue they are one of the same. Their wails, cries, and songs are heard across the land. From humble homesteads and all the way to the halls of Washington's marble halls.

Slowly the gears of change come forth, slowly the wheels of progress turn. History moves ever on. For while slavery was from the beginning of the American experiment- first the Union and then the Fraternity- many are coming to the opinion that such traditions will not allow the American nation to survive the following century. Be it pragmatism from the reluctant radical Democrats, wary of such notions of abolition, to moderate Democrats and Whigs alike who view it as necessary to end the institution of slavery. Though even then, such broad strokes support lends itself to differing views. Shall slavery be made to come to a crawling death? State by state? Nation by nation it shall bleed out the institution and let it rot? Shall it be brought to a swift end as if it were a macabre play? Curtains closed, ready the intermission, and prepare thineself for a second act? Will it simply be allowed to continue under a new form?

Not all however enjoy the new choir. The plutocrats and oligarchs of the Caribbean, Latin America, and the South do not enjoy such songs. Instead attempting to keep slavery and its hold over the Americas. Slavery seems to come naturally to people, so they say. Nothing wrong with what comes natural to people, right? Why it'd be like trying to ban eating meat, or drinking water. It comes naturally. Why bother try and stop it? But that is where they end their question, where they end their tale because they know they sit upon a manor of lies and deceit for Man is able to rise beyond his natural doings. To build civilization, to build nations, and fight wars, to process art, and think of the universe- that is not natural, and yet we all appreciate them the same.

The slaves shall rend themselves free for they are promised freedom by courts higher than nations. And all Man answers to a higher authority. Be it God or his own spirit. The institution of slavery and its upholders will one day fall. The only horrible question to ask- is how it shall fall?

Compromise and bipartisanship? Saving the nations of North America from war?

An uneasy and tense slowdown of the institution of slavery over the decades?

A fast whiplash of politics to one day wake to a whole race unchained?

Or through bloodshed, vengeance, and retribution of the blood of the masses?

The times of sands will tell. And history shall remember Texas's actions and movements as one of many that shall see the toppling of the old order.
Of course how long will both you and them stand?

. . .
-=Rook to F6=-
The establishment of Fort Rook just out and south of El Paso was an embarrassing failure for the Free States of Texas and Arizona. The Knights continue to be an annoying problem at best, a menace to the polite society of the Free States at worst. Fort Rook, Castle Indigo, and other smaller outposts seem to act as a way to 'box in the Free States', trying to keep eyes on us and what goes in and out of the States. Of course with such a big board to play, and few pieces to keep hold, such actions will prove fruitless soon. Especially if we can help it.
(You get 2 choices on what forts to break.)

Crash the Castle- Indigo has stood for too long as a symbol of Knightly mockery, the strongest of the KGC holdouts it is, but if we can destroy it we can shatter confidence in the KGC and the Naturalist Party.
(If picked, this can be your only choice for this category. Has a 50% chance to work. If it does work. Well, it does what the tin says.)

Pick Up the Cinders- The Columbia River Massacres have left the Pacific Northwest scarred and looking for anyway to take revenge. One way to take revenge- you filthy Northwestern peasants in distress- burn down more Knightly armories and outposts!
(Burns down several outposts in the Territory of Lamar and in Deseret. Has a 10% chance to tear down the remaining Snake River outposts.)

Check and Mate- Fort Rook sits just outside the border, beyond El Paso. While the Knights quickly put it up- being more a series of earthworks and tents than a proper 'castle' like Indigo, we can just as easily tear it down. . a lot faster than they put it up.

(Will be known as the 'Fort Rook War', or the 'Rook War', The Knights and various Texian and Arizonan militias will clash throughout northern Mexico. Has a chance (85%) to starting a Knightly counterattack into Texas.)

Go Home, To Their Home- Much of the Naturalist Party's higher-ups meet or live in Alabama, and with it plenty of KGC influence seeps from the cracks of Alabaman society and politics. Far from Texas or the Free States, security tends to be more 'relaxed' around KGC armories and properties than out further west.

(A few mercenaries will venture into Central Alabama and attempt to cripple KGC stockpiles in Alabama. Successful or a failure, the Naturalists and their lackies will be sent a message loud and clear. They aren't free from the tyranny of the mob, and likely KGC forces and weapons will be relocated back to Alabama.)

Clearing the Islands- The Colorado Channel Islands and the Texian Barrier Islands- while not home to any bases of the KGC, are used in a "pirate-like fashion", bases to dredge up ships, hide loot, and lay low from the lawmen that attempts to put them down. Sending a few patrol boats and putting a few troops may help shoo away Knights and develop the islands.
(A crucial point of resupply along the coasts will be disabled for future Knightly usage. While not the end of the world for them, they'll think twice about treading water.)

Brick by Brick- A small but notable industrial town exists within Watie Territory, one which supplies bricks across the Southern Plains. One that is also a regular resupply point for the Knights. Perhaps giving the workers a few extra guns and a new contract may leave the Knights without a foundation to stand on in the area.

(Be wary however, a town going into what is a riot will catch the attention of the wider Fraternal population. For the better and the worse.)

. . .

-=Sing the Praise of Jubilee=-

The Fraternity still at its core is a democratic nation. Much as the oligarchs wish it wasn't, and as much as it seems slavers denigrate it. The Fraternity still retains the basics of old pre-Civil War America. Arguably all it is under the hood is an updated more modern post-Revolutionary America. Most of its traits. Its positives, and many, many negatives. Still however. Change can come from the people and through the ballot box.

(The choir is louder and higher than before. 3 instead of 2.)

Playing Unfair- There is such a thing as "mob tyranny". Perhaps playing a bit dirty in a few local elections- especially with the upcoming 1896 Presidential. It may be potent to fight fire with fire. Or in this case. a mob with an even bigger mob.
(Several previously pro-Naturalist states will reluctantly switch to Democratic candidates. The Naturalists will take great notice and will begin acting much more violently.)

Promote Compromise- To defeat the Naturalists, compromise and cooperation between the Whig-Republicans and the Democrats should be encouraged. Reach across the isle and make friends with your opponents in red, and the same to those in blue. Together we can strike down the envious green of the Naturalist cause.
(The Fraternity temporarily becomes a 2-party system between the Naturalists and the Democratic-Republican coalition. Will push more radical Democrats away to the Naturalists and various radical Republicans to form a separate political bloc.)
(This cannot be chosen with "A Universal Agenda")

A Universal Agenda- The Democratic Party is itself a massive coalition. Former Firebreathers, Jeffersonians, Jacksonians, and even a few modest Whigs. The Democrats need to get one thing straight, sort it out, and present no other alternatives to the Party candidate and their agenda. You are one party, act like it!

(Will kill most other Democratic candidates in the 1896 election, rendering them as lowly 'Independents' or 'Independent Democrats'. Said agenda will be chosen by *you*.)
(Cannot be chosen with "Promote Compromise")

A Cross of Gold- A politician hailing from the Midwest, William J. Bryan is a self-made 'man of the people', arguing against the business interests of "the wicked Atlantic man", arguing that the northern industrialist and the southern planter are two sides of the same coin. While this has alienated him from support of the main political elite, across the West and Central Fraternity, he is the king of the people. All he needs now is to be President.

READ THIS (If chosen, William Jennings Bryan becomes President in 1896. If chosen- no other choices in this category can be chosen as well, and the election of 1896 turns into selecting Bryan's VP and what parts of his agenda he shall tackle in office.) READ THIS

Rapidly Admit the Territories- Lamar, Watie, and the Comanche Territories would have small amounts of electors and representatives, but like a totem pole, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The admission of nearly a million new people into the Fraternity and the admission of several hundred thousand new voters would greatly disrupt the Naturalists chances of winning.
(While the Territories as a whole will be reluctantly sworn in- being one with a large Asian minority and the other two with slim Native American majorities, the lack of pro-Naturalist sentiment does make the establishment willing to swallow its grievances.)

The 13th Article- The second Article of the Fraternal Constitution stipulates that States (and Territories) are delegated 'internal sovereignty' and whatever rights are not delegated to the states are granted to the government. One of these 'missing' rights- the right of slavery and its abolition- is left to the governments hands. However it appears a slim majority of Congressmen may be able to eek out a new "13th Article".
(Such an Article will pass by a narrow margin- 30% to pass. Should it pass in full, several states may exercise their "4th Article Rights". Failure will result in alienating the Naturalist Party.)

. . .

-=Mexi-Can Do It=-

The Fraternal Mexican Republic is an abominable mess of politics. New Spanish aristocratic culture mixed with Napoleonic reforms and finally stirred in with Fraternal-American administrative divisions to add further confusion. Mexico is a messy nation and thats not even mentioning the various territorial mishaps and losses it's had over the years. The Mexican government is a semi-misshapen mess who's kept in shape because of Fraternal oversight and a constant feedback loop of corruption.

(Tienes dos(2) opciones para ayudar a México)

Letter of the Law- While many northern Mexican sheriffs have become fairly great at upholding the law, the problem lies within the roots of it all. Mexico's police force is corrupt, and controlled by despotic men who sue it for their own gain. To fix this problem we must begin clearing it away at the source.
(Mexican lawmen and police shall slowly take the reigns of Mexico's police forces, the lay of the land shall be tamed by the hand of the law, from bandits to corruption.)

Private Media a Bloomin'- Most of the news in the Mexican Republic is dominated by primarily by Fraternal-based newspaper corporations or local not-very-far-reaching urban newspapers. What's needed is a 'universal Mexican paper' of sorts.
(A newspaper company (or maybe a second one for the funnies) will be based out of Monterrey, reporting on news from across Mexico and reporting on it with a distinctly neutral to 'pro-Mexican' standpoint.)

Pushing Their Sovereignty- Along Mexico's southern and eastern frontiers the Fraternity has been slowly eroding at its borders. The Georges Canal Zone and the city of Veracruz are technically not Mexican territory- despite the languages, cultures, and even flags flown throughout saying otherwise. This is some of the few parcels of land in the whole of the Caribbean under direct control of the Golden Circle.

(Mexican courts and Mexican protestors will begin to make the Golden Circles hold over its share of Mexico start to falter. Not immediately of course, but Veracruz and the canal were Mexican and shall one day return to Mexico.)

The Silver Cross- The Catholic faith has come under attack from Mexico as it modernizes and as Knightly raids into frontier and rural towns become common across the westernmost states of Mexico. Now come men of faith, what would Jesus do?

(Ecclesiastes 3:8.)

. . .

-=Boers, Farmers, and Hoo-haa=-

The Boers have been giddy having Fraternal merchants stop in their port. The white men of Africa and the white men of America gather in bars and shops and though they speak a gaggle of languages, they all pat each other on the back the same. The Boers are but the same as Western frontiersmen. Conquering the unknown, building homesteads, and spreading Christian civilization forward! Be it Indians, or Negroes. While Fraternal sailors sing on Malagasy docks brimming with a familiar tune, of banjoes and and harmonicas, bugles, and even a drum or two.

(One vote per subcategory, each.)

=-Boer States-=

Teach 'em the American Way- The problem the Boers have is getting the various tribes of Injun- Negroes to fall in line. Stubborn, resistant to most change, and vicious little politics. The Zulu and other Bantu still prove a hassle to Boer policies to this day.
(Negotiators and diplomats from the westernmost states will be sent to the Boers as advisors on how to handle the various Bantu tribesmen and deal with inter-tribal politics.)

Vouch For 'em- The Boers are eager to sing in Jubilee with us in truth because we're one of the few who's shown any interest in them beyond murderous rage of the Cape or the 'class struggle' of the Portuguese. Trade seldom reaches the Boers, luxuries and railroads are things most Boers- even those of higher class rarely see.
(Golden Circle merchants will be encouraged to trade with the Boers through lower tariffs and diplomatic missions to Germany, Sweden, and Argentina will see about helping our new pals get something going.)

Guns, Knives, and Pitchforks- Armed with outdated rifles, the occasional musket, but often the Boer militias are barebones in nature. Small volunteer forces filled with outdated equipment, with the thing they excel at being guerilla warfare. We could learn something from them, and in return we just have to give them some of our old surplus as well.
(10,000 firearms go to the Boers. Old ones first!)

=-Merina Kingdom-=

The Fraternal Varangians- A few destroyers and cruisers sure, but what else is nice? A royal guard? Fraternal Royalty Protection Service- 300,000 Graybacks per month! We serve only the finest of monarchies! Sign up now!
(Is the message getting a little clearer now Ranavalona?)

European You Shall Not Be- With the European nations looking to carve up Africa like a juicy steak, we shall put our foot down. The Merina Kingdom is under Fraternal protection. This you shall not conquer.
(Mainly because it is ours to keep. A fine African diamond would look good next to a golden chain now wouldn't it?)

Some Black Gold?- A few prospectors have been looking for a nice refueling station in the Indian Ocean, something for the Circle to help boost trade and travel to and fro the antipodal ocean. A few believe there may be such an opportunity in Madagascar.
(Oh Standard Oil! We may have a new country to tap into.)

. . .

And with it, this episode shall end.
Delays I know. College. Hate it.
Voting ends May 4th
The usual rules and whatnot apply.
Have fun!

Description

As Texas continues to sit, rarely idle despite what the map may show. Maps are for broad strokes, big shots, made for easy digestion. Under the surface of the map, at a personal level, from the West Coast to the Mississippi, times a' changin'. The people yearn for abolition. The pox of slavery now drawing down across the western states. Men, black, white, yellow, and red slowly start to sing the songs of freedom and of the worlds beauty. While all men are still not created equal in the eyes of American law, these men, these nations of the Western Americas argue they are one of the same. Their wails, cries, and songs are heard across the land. From humble homesteads and all the way to the halls of Washington's marble halls.

Slowly the gears of change come forth, slowly the wheels of progress turn. History moves ever on. For while slavery was from the beginning of the American experiment- first the Union and then the Fraternity- many are coming to the opinion that such traditions will not allow the American nation to survive the following century. Be it pragmatism from the reluctant radical Democrats, wary of such notions of abolition, to moderate Democrats and Whigs alike who view it as necessary to end the institution of slavery. Though even then, such broad strokes support lends itself to differing views. Shall slavery be made to come to a crawling death? State by state? Nation by nation it shall bleed out the institution and let it rot? Shall it be brought to a swift end as if it were a macabre play? Curtains closed, ready the intermission, and prepare thineself for a second act? Will it simply be allowed to continue under a new form?

Not all however enjoy the new choir. The plutocrats and oligarchs of the Caribbean, Latin America, and the South do not enjoy such songs. Instead attempting to keep slavery and its hold over the Americas. Slavery seems to come naturally to people, so they say. Nothing wrong with what comes natural to people, right? Why it'd be like trying to ban eating meat, or drinking water. It comes naturally. Why bother try and stop it? But that is where they end their question, where they end their tale because they know they sit upon a manor of lies and deceit for Man is able to rise beyond his natural doings. To build civilization, to build nations, and fight wars, to process art, and think of the universe- that is not natural, and yet we all appreciate them the same.

The slaves shall rend themselves free for they are promised freedom by courts higher than nations. And all Man answers to a higher authority. Be it God or his own spirit. The institution of slavery and its upholders will one day fall. The only horrible question to ask- is how it shall fall?

Compromise and bipartisanship? Saving the nations of North America from war?

An uneasy and tense slowdown of the institution of slavery over the decades?

A fast whiplash of politics to one day wake to a whole race unchained?

Or through bloodshed, vengeance, and retribution of the blood of the masses?

The times of sands will tell. And history shall remember Texas's actions and movements as one of many that shall see the toppling of the old order.
Of course how long will both you and them stand?

. . .
-=Rook to F6=-
The establishment of Fort Rook just out and south of El Paso was an embarrassing failure for the Free States of Texas and Arizona. The Knights continue to be an annoying problem at best, a menace to the polite society of the Free States at worst. Fort Rook, Castle Indigo, and other smaller outposts seem to act as a way to 'box in the Free States', trying to keep eyes on us and what goes in and out of the States. Of course with such a big board to play, and few pieces to keep hold, such actions will prove fruitless soon. Especially if we can help it.
(You get 2 choices on what forts to break.)

Crash the Castle- Indigo has stood for too long as a symbol of Knightly mockery, the strongest of the KGC holdouts it is, but if we can destroy it we can shatter confidence in the KGC and the Naturalist Party.
(If picked, this can be your only choice for this category. Has a 50% chance to work. If it does work. Well, it does what the tin says.)

Pick Up the Cinders- The Columbia River Massacres have left the Pacific Northwest scarred and looking for anyway to take revenge. One way to take revenge- you filthy Northwestern peasants in distress- burn down more Knightly armories and outposts!
(Burns down several outposts in the Territory of Lamar and in Deseret. Has a 10% chance to tear down the remaining Snake River outposts.)

Check and Mate- Fort Rook sits just outside the border, beyond El Paso. While the Knights quickly put it up- being more a series of earthworks and tents than a proper 'castle' like Indigo, we can just as easily tear it down. . a lot faster than they put it up.

(Will be known as the 'Fort Rook War', or the 'Rook War', The Knights and various Texian and Arizonan militias will clash throughout northern Mexico. Has a chance (85%) to starting a Knightly counterattack into Texas.)

Go Home, To Their Home- Much of the Naturalist Party's higher-ups meet or live in Alabama, and with it plenty of KGC influence seeps from the cracks of Alabaman society and politics. Far from Texas or the Free States, security tends to be more 'relaxed' around KGC armories and properties than out further west.

(A few mercenaries will venture into Central Alabama and attempt to cripple KGC stockpiles in Alabama. Successful or a failure, the Naturalists and their lackies will be sent a message loud and clear. They aren't free from the tyranny of the mob, and likely KGC forces and weapons will be relocated back to Alabama.)

Clearing the Islands- The Colorado Channel Islands and the Texian Barrier Islands- while not home to any bases of the KGC, are used in a "pirate-like fashion", bases to dredge up ships, hide loot, and lay low from the lawmen that attempts to put them down. Sending a few patrol boats and putting a few troops may help shoo away Knights and develop the islands.
(A crucial point of resupply along the coasts will be disabled for future Knightly usage. While not the end of the world for them, they'll think twice about treading water.)

Brick by Brick- A small but notable industrial town exists within Watie Territory, one which supplies bricks across the Southern Plains. One that is also a regular resupply point for the Knights. Perhaps giving the workers a few extra guns and a new contract may leave the Knights without a foundation to stand on in the area.

(Be wary however, a town going into what is a riot will catch the attention of the wider Fraternal population. For the better and the worse.)

. . .

-=Sing the Praise of Jubilee=-

The Fraternity still at its core is a democratic nation. Much as the oligarchs wish it wasn't, and as much as it seems slavers denigrate it. The Fraternity still retains the basics of old pre-Civil War America. Arguably all it is under the hood is an updated more modern post-Revolutionary America. Most of its traits. Its positives, and many, many negatives. Still however. Change can come from the people and through the ballot box.

(The choir is louder and higher than before. 3 instead of 2.)

Playing Unfair- There is such a thing as "mob tyranny". Perhaps playing a bit dirty in a few local elections- especially with the upcoming 1896 Presidential. It may be potent to fight fire with fire. Or in this case. a mob with an even bigger mob.
(Several previously pro-Naturalist states will reluctantly switch to Democratic candidates. The Naturalists will take great notice and will begin acting much more violently.)

Promote Compromise- To defeat the Naturalists, compromise and cooperation between the Whig-Republicans and the Democrats should be encouraged. Reach across the isle and make friends with your opponents in red, and the same to those in blue. Together we can strike down the envious green of the Naturalist cause.
(The Fraternity temporarily becomes a 2-party system between the Naturalists and the Democratic-Republican coalition. Will push more radical Democrats away to the Naturalists and various radical Republicans to form a separate political bloc.)
(This cannot be chosen with "A Universal Agenda")

A Universal Agenda- The Democratic Party is itself a massive coalition. Former Firebreathers, Jeffersonians, Jacksonians, and even a few modest Whigs. The Democrats need to get one thing straight, sort it out, and present no other alternatives to the Party candidate and their agenda. You are one party, act like it!

(Will kill most other Democratic candidates in the 1896 election, rendering them as lowly 'Independents' or 'Independent Democrats'. Said agenda will be chosen by *you*.)
(Cannot be chosen with "Promote Compromise")

A Cross of Gold- A politician hailing from the Midwest, William J. Bryan is a self-made 'man of the people', arguing against the business interests of "the wicked Atlantic man", arguing that the northern industrialist and the southern planter are two sides of the same coin. While this has alienated him from support of the main political elite, across the West and Central Fraternity, he is the king of the people. All he needs now is to be President.

READ THIS (If chosen, William Jennings Bryan becomes President in 1896. If chosen- no other choices in this category can be chosen as well, and the election of 1896 turns into selecting Bryan's VP and what parts of his agenda he shall tackle in office.) READ THIS

Rapidly Admit the Territories- Lamar, Watie, and the Comanche Territories would have small amounts of electors and representatives, but like a totem pole, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The admission of nearly a million new people into the Fraternity and the admission of several hundred thousand new voters would greatly disrupt the Naturalists chances of winning.
(While the Territories as a whole will be reluctantly sworn in- being one with a large Asian minority and the other two with slim Native American majorities, the lack of pro-Naturalist sentiment does make the establishment willing to swallow its grievances.)

The 13th Article- The second Article of the Fraternal Constitution stipulates that States (and Territories) are delegated 'internal sovereignty' and whatever rights are not delegated to the states are granted to the government. One of these 'missing' rights- the right of slavery and its abolition- is left to the governments hands. However it appears a slim majority of Congressmen may be able to eek out a new "13th Article".
(Such an Article will pass by a narrow margin- 30% to pass. Should it pass in full, several states may exercise their "4th Article Rights". Failure will result in alienating the Naturalist Party.)

. . .

-=Mexi-Can Do It=-

The Fraternal Mexican Republic is an abominable mess of politics. New Spanish aristocratic culture mixed with Napoleonic reforms and finally stirred in with Fraternal-American administrative divisions to add further confusion. Mexico is a messy nation and thats not even mentioning the various territorial mishaps and losses it's had over the years. The Mexican government is a semi-misshapen mess who's kept in shape because of Fraternal oversight and a constant feedback loop of corruption.

(Tienes dos(2) opciones para ayudar a México)

Letter of the Law- While many northern Mexican sheriffs have become fairly great at upholding the law, the problem lies within the roots of it all. Mexico's police force is corrupt, and controlled by despotic men who sue it for their own gain. To fix this problem we must begin clearing it away at the source.
(Mexican lawmen and police shall slowly take the reigns of Mexico's police forces, the lay of the land shall be tamed by the hand of the law, from bandits to corruption.)

Private Media a Bloomin'- Most of the news in the Mexican Republic is dominated by primarily by Fraternal-based newspaper corporations or local not-very-far-reaching urban newspapers. What's needed is a 'universal Mexican paper' of sorts.
(A newspaper company (or maybe a second one for the funnies) will be based out of Monterrey, reporting on news from across Mexico and reporting on it with a distinctly neutral to 'pro-Mexican' standpoint.)

Pushing Their Sovereignty- Along Mexico's southern and eastern frontiers the Fraternity has been slowly eroding at its borders. The Georges Canal Zone and the city of Veracruz are technically not Mexican territory- despite the languages, cultures, and even flags flown throughout saying otherwise. This is some of the few parcels of land in the whole of the Caribbean under direct control of the Golden Circle.

(Mexican courts and Mexican protestors will begin to make the Golden Circles hold over its share of Mexico start to falter. Not immediately of course, but Veracruz and the canal were Mexican and shall one day return to Mexico.)

The Silver Cross- The Catholic faith has come under attack from Mexico as it modernizes and as Knightly raids into frontier and rural towns become common across the westernmost states of Mexico. Now come men of faith, what would Jesus do?

(Ecclesiastes 3:8.)

. . .

-=Boers, Farmers, and Hoo-haa=-

The Boers have been giddy having Fraternal merchants stop in their port. The white men of Africa and the white men of America gather in bars and shops and though they speak a gaggle of languages, they all pat each other on the back the same. The Boers are but the same as Western frontiersmen. Conquering the unknown, building homesteads, and spreading Christian civilization forward! Be it Indians, or Negroes. While Fraternal sailors sing on Malagasy docks brimming with a familiar tune, of banjoes and and harmonicas, bugles, and even a drum or two.

(One vote per subcategory, each.)

=-Boer States-=

Teach 'em the American Way- The problem the Boers have is getting the various tribes of Injun- Negroes to fall in line. Stubborn, resistant to most change, and vicious little politics. The Zulu and other Bantu still prove a hassle to Boer policies to this day.
(Negotiators and diplomats from the westernmost states will be sent to the Boers as advisors on how to handle the various Bantu tribesmen and deal with inter-tribal politics.)

Vouch For 'em- The Boers are eager to sing in Jubilee with us in truth because we're one of the few who's shown any interest in them beyond murderous rage of the Cape or the 'class struggle' of the Portuguese. Trade seldom reaches the Boers, luxuries and railroads are things most Boers- even those of higher class rarely see.
(Golden Circle merchants will be encouraged to trade with the Boers through lower tariffs and diplomatic missions to Germany, Sweden, and Argentina will see about helping our new pals get something going.)

Guns, Knives, and Pitchforks- Armed with outdated rifles, the occasional musket, but often the Boer militias are barebones in nature. Small volunteer forces filled with outdated equipment, with the thing they excel at being guerilla warfare. We could learn something from them, and in return we just have to give them some of our old surplus as well.
(10,000 firearms go to the Boers. Old ones first!)

=-Merina Kingdom-=

The Fraternal Varangians- A few destroyers and cruisers sure, but what else is nice? A royal guard? Fraternal Royalty Protection Service- 300,000 Graybacks per month! We serve only the finest of monarchies! Sign up now!
(Is the message getting a little clearer now Ranavalona?)

European You Shall Not Be- With the European nations looking to carve up Africa like a juicy steak, we shall put our foot down. The Merina Kingdom is under Fraternal protection. This you shall not conquer.
(Mainly because it is ours to keep. A fine African diamond would look good next to a golden chain now wouldn't it?)

Some Black Gold?- A few prospectors have been looking for a nice refueling station in the Indian Ocean, something for the Circle to help boost trade and travel to and fro the antipodal ocean. A few believe there may be such an opportunity in Madagascar.
(Oh Standard Oil! We may have a new country to tap into.)

. . .

And with it, this episode shall end.
Delays I know. College. Hate it.
Voting ends May 4th
The usual rules and whatnot apply.
Have fun!