MIA > Archive > Wilhelm Liebknecht > Voices of Revolt
Written: As a speech in German, delivered in October, 1878.
Published in English: 1928.
Translated by: Unknown (name not provided).
Source: Voices of Revolt: Speeches of Wilhelm Liebknecht. International Publishers, first edition, 1928, New York, USA. 96 pages.
Transcription and Markup: Bill Wright for marxists.org, November, 2022
(Delivered in the Reichstag discussion of the Socialist Law,[a] October, 1878.)
I know that judgment has been spoken in this case; when I use the word judgment, I do not mean that I recognize the Reichstag as a judge of our actions; the Social-Democratic Party stands high above the forum of this or any other body. But I know the judgment has been spoken; the blow against us has been dealt. But I should like to tell you one thing before you deal the blow: Strike your blow, but do not calumniate; do not calumniate the five hundred thousand German Social-Democratic voters, do not calumniate a million citizens of the German Empire whom you are stamping as assassins or as accomplices of assassins in the words of the motivation of this law.
Freedom has been outlawed together with us, together with the Social-Democratic Party; freedom of the press, freedom of associations; all constitutional guarantees have been shattered, destroyed by this law!
However that may be, the sacrifice can no longer be prevented. The contract has been ratified and lies before us; the sacrifice of freedom will be made. Let the responsibility for this step fall upon them who are performing it. The day will come when the German people will ask an accounting for this crime against its welfare, its liberty, its honor!
[a.] Socialist Law: A series of measures adopted by the German Government in 1878 to put down the Socialists, and continued in force until 1890. Sponsored by Bismarck, these measures resulted in much hardship to the workers, but strengthened the movement in general. See Franz Mehring: Social Forces in German History, 1928.
Last updated on 08 July 2023