Thus, not the spirit of revolution, but that of evolution or even counter- 
revolution appears in the latest ideas of recent revolutionaries. They sound 
the retreat. At first Trotzky and his comrades arranged a terrific railway 
smash, but now they are eager to replace the wrecked train on its former 
rails, with the paradoxical view, however, of having it driven by com- 
munistic steam, which surely would exclude motion. The train lies wrecked 
and up till now has not resumed its course. The work of the Bolshevics 
has brought Russia so much grief and evil and untruth and cruelty that 
the very air she breaths is contaminated. The traces of crimes and vices 
remain; bloodthirsty bestiality, the coarsest contempt for the life of another, 
cynical depravity and ignorance — these are the results of the attempt to 
build a new world. Holy things are trampled into dust, man and God 
are insulted, good is mocked at. Nihilism has come into its rights. The 
Russian people must make a heroic effort indeed, in order to return 
to their old life, to a life worthy of man and worthy of a former 
great nation. 
24S