Der Fuehrer - Hitler's Rise to Power (1944) - Heiden

FIRST TRIUMPH 341vention of your party held between August 2 and 4, and for theelevating impressions we obtained there. Our intention was to expressthis thanks to you at the end of the session and for that reason we werein the Deutscher Hof, where, unfortunately, we awaited you in vain,since without doubt your time was taken up with the brutal attacks ofthe Communists on your faithful party members and with concern forthe protection of the latter. . . . We shall never forget how overwhelmedwe were in attending the memorial celebration for the World War deadand the dedication of the banners in the Luitpold Grove, at the sight ofyour troops marching by on the Hauptmarkt, of thousands andthousands of your supporters, their eyes bright with enthusiasm, whohung on your lips and cheered you. The sight of the endless crowd,cheering you and stretching out their hands to you at the end of theparade, was positively overwhelming. At this moment I, who am filledwith despair by the degeneration of our masses and the failure of ourbourgeois circles toward the future of Germany, suddenly realized whyyou believe and trust unflinchingly in the fulfillment of the task youhave set yourself, and, conscious of your goal, continue on your way,regardless how many sacrifices it may demand of you and yoursupporters. Any man who in these days, dominated by a brutaldestruction of the patriotic qualities, could gather together and chain tohimself such a troop of national-minded racial comrades, ready forevery sacrifice, is entitled to nourish this confidence. You may be proudof the honors and homages done you; there is hardly a crowned headwho receives their equal. My wife and I are happy to have been able towitness them. . . .A strangely respectful tone for a coal king and financial backer.Kirdorf did not hide the fact that Hitler's program contained some pointshe did not like — presumably he was referring chiefly to state seizure ofthe big industrial concerns, a point which had long since been tacitlyabandoned. But this practical doubt was nothing against the old man'spersonal emotion and enthusiasm. To be sure, he was hardened in hiscontempt of the world and men, and even the Nuremberg Party Day didnot wholly convince him that anything could prevent Germany's decay.With mingled doubt and emotion he concludes his letter in words thatrecall Richard Wagner's summons to 'go down like gods':