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

392/ ANARCHISM
however, the struggle will be when social hardship, injustice and degradation finally
generate the phantom of a revolution and, consequently an all-too-real civil war, if
steps arc not taken to establish socialism immediately ...
For the revolution can only be a political one. It would not gain the support of
the enslaved masses, if they did not also desire to break free of social oppression and
economic hardship. However, the transformation of social institutions, of property
relations, of the type of economy cannot come by way of revolution. In these matters,
action from below can only shake off, destroy and abandon something; action from
above, even by a revolutionary government, can only abolish and command, whereas
socialism must be built, erected, organized out of a new spirit. This new spirit prevails
mightily and ardently in the revolution. Robots become men. Cold, unimaginative
men are fired with enthusiasm. The entire status quo, including opinions, positive
and negative, is cast into doubt. Reason, which formerly focused only on selfish interest,
becomes rational thinking and thousands of men sit or pace restlessly in their
rooms, for the first time in their lives forging plans for the common welfare. Everything
becomes accessible to the good. The incredible miracle is brought into the
realm of possibility. The reality which is otherwise hidden in our souls, in the structures
and rhythms of art, in the faith-structures of religion, in dream and love, in
dancing limbs and gleaming glances, now presses for fulfillment. However, the tremendous
danger remains that the old humdrum way and empty imitation will take
hold of the revolutionaries and make them shallow, uncultured radicals, with the
ringing rhetoric and violent gestures, who neither know, nor want to know, that the
transformation of society can come only in love, work, and silence.
They also ignore another point, despite the experiences of past revolutions, AI!
these revolutions were a great renewal, a bubbling refreshment, a high point of nations;
but their permanent results were slight. Ultimately they brought a change only
in the forms of political disenfranchisement. Political freedom, maturity, honest
pride, self-determination and an organic, corporative coherence of the masses out of
one unifYing spirit, voluntary associations in public life-this can only be achieved by
a great adjustment, by economic and social justice, by socialism. How could there be
a commonwealth of true communities in our era, in which Christianity affirms the
equality of all the children of men, in origin, rights and destiny; how could there be a
free public life, pervaded by the all-fulfilling, dynamic spirit of enthusiastically progressive
men and deep, strong women, if slavery, disinheritance and ostracism persist
in any form and guise
The political revolution which brings the spirit to power and makes it the
strong imperative and decisive implementation, can clear the way for socialism, for a