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

Revolutionary Ideas And Action / 55
in the government of society which rests on the divine must be suppressed, and the
whole rebuilt upon the human idea of CONTRACT ...
The system of contracts, substituted for the system of laws, would constitute the
true government of the man and of the citizen; the true sovereignty of the people,
the REPUBLIC.
For the contract is Uberty, the first term of the republican motto ... I am not free
when I depend upon another for my work, my wages, or the measure of my rights and
duties; whether that other be called the Majority or Society. No more am I free, either
in my sovereignty or in my action, when I am compelled by another to revise my law,
were that other the most skilful and most just of arbiters. I am no more at all free
when I am forced to give myself a representative to govern me, even if he were my
most devoted servant.
The Contract is Equality, in its profound and spiritual essence. Does this man
believe himself my equal; does he not take the attitude of my master and exploiter,
who demands from me more than it suits me to furnish, and has no intention of returning
it to me; who says that I am incapable of making my own law, and expects me
to submit to his
The contract is Fraternity, because it identifies all interests, unifies all divergences,
resolves all contradictions, and in consequence, gives wings to the feelings of
goodwill and kindness, which are crushed by economic chaos, the government of
representatives, alien law.
The contract, finally, is order, since it is the organization of economic forces, instead
of the alienation of liberties, the sacrifice of rights, the subordination of wills ...
In cases in which production requires great division of labour, and a considerable
collective force, it is necessary to form an ASSOCIATION among the workers in
this industry; because without that, they would remain related as subordinates and
superiors, and there would ensue two industrial castes of masters and wage-workers,
which is repugnant to a free and democratic society.
Such therefore is the rule that we must lay down, if we wish to conduct the Revolution
intelligently.
Every industry, operation or enterprise, which by its nature requires the employment
of a large number of workmen of different specialties, is destined to become
a society or company of workers ...
Large scale industry may be likened to a new land, discovered or suddenly created
out of the air, by the social genius; to which society sends a colony to take possession
of it and to work it, for the advantage of all.