The Socialism of to-day

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 835096955

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-28834

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Laveleye, Émile de

Title:: The Socialism of to-day

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Field & Tuer

Year of publication:: 1884

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (XLIV, 331 S.)

Collection:: Economics Books

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BAKUNIN THE APOSTLE OF NIHILISM. 205 interest, one single thought, one single passion—the Revolution. ..He has only one aim, one science—destruction. For that, and for nothing else, he studies mechanics, physics, chemistry, and sometimes medicine. With the same object, he observes men, characters, the situations and all the conditions of the social order. He despises and detests existing morality. For him, everything is moral that helps on the triumph of the Revo lution, everything is immoral and criminal that hinders it Between him and society there is war—war to the death, inces sant, irreconcilable. He ought to be ready to die, to endure torture, and with his own hands to kill all who place obstacles in the way of the Revolution. So much the worse for him if he has in this world any ties of relationship, of friendship, of love ! He is no true revolutionist if these attachments stay his arm. Nevertheless, he must live in the midst of society, feigning to be what he is not. He must penetrate everywhere, among the upper classes as well as among the middle—into the merchant’s shop, into the church, into the Government offices, into the army, into the literary world, into the detective force, and even into the imperial palace. ... He must prepare a list of those who are condemned to death, and despatch them in the order of their relative misdoings. A new member can only be admitted into the Association by a unanimous vote, and after his qualities have been proved, not by words merely, but by deeds. Each ‘ companion ’ should have under his control several revolution ists of the second or third degree, not wholly initiated. He should consider them as part of the revolutionary capital placed at his disposal, and he should expend them economically and so as to abstract the greatest possible profit out of them. . . . The most valuable element are women who are completely initiated, and who accept our whole programme. Without their aid we can effect nothing.” Bakunin’s instructions have been followed out to the letter in this respect, in Russia. As a matter of*fact, in all the con spiracies there we find rich and cultured women, even daughters of State functionaries, of military officers, and of nobles. The secret is so well kept that when the police lay hands on the Nihilists they never succeed in tracking out the main body of

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