Graham R (Ed.) - Anarchism - A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas Volume One - From Anarchy to Anarchism (300 CE to 1939)

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ANARCHISM
Revolution should mean and what a government does mean. The two words contradict
one another, destroy one another. We have of course seen despotic governments-it
is the essence of all government to take the side of reaction against the
revolution, and to have an inevitable tendency towards despotism-but we have
never seen a revolutionary government, and fo r a good reason. It is that revolution-the
synonym of "disorder," of the upsetting and overthrowing in a few days of
time-honoured institutions, of the violent demolition of the established fo rms of
property, the destruction of castes, the rapid transformation of received ideas about
morality (or rather about the hypocrisy which takes its place), of individual liberty,
and of spontaneous action-is precisely the opposite, the negation of government,
this being the synonym of "established order," of conservatism, of the maintenance
of existing institutions, the negation of initiative and individual action ...
In order that the taking possession of the social wealth should become an accomplished
fa ct, it is necessary that the people should have a free hand, that they
should shake off the slavery to which they are too much accustomed, that they
should act according to their own will, that they should move fo rward without waiting
fo r orders from anyone ...
The economic change which will result from the Social Revolution will be so immense
and so profound, it must so change all the relations based today on property
and exchange, that it is impossible fo r one or any individual to elaborate the different
fo rms which must sprmg up m the society of the fu ture. This elaboration of new social
forms can be made only by the collective work of the masses. To satisty the immense
variety of conditions and needs which will spring up as soon as privat{'
property is abolished, it is necessary to have the flexibility of the collective spirit of
the country. Any external authority will only be a hindrance, an obstacle to that organic
work which should be done, and besides a source of discord and hatred ...
For us who understand that the moment is near fo r giving a mortal blow to the
bourgeoisie, that the time is not fa r off when the people will be able to lay hands on
all social wealth and reduce the class of exploiters to impotence-for us, I say, there
can be no hesitation in the matter. We shall throw ourselves body and soul into the
social revolution, and since on this path a government, whatever colour it wears, is
an obstacle, we shall reduce to impotence and sweep away all ambitious men who try
to impose themselves upon us as rulers of our destinies. Enough of governments;
make way fo r the people, fo r anarchy!