New-York tribune., 1919-07-28

to have been made either with Jap
anese or else with German money,
and the counter revolution is supposed to
be made with Cadet or else English money.
Where, then, are our farfamed conscious
ness and idealism, our famous devotion to
a cause? Where are all the legends about
our faithful fighters for freedom? Where
are the Don QuXoterie and all the beauti-
full qualities of the Russian people which
have been celebrated by word of mouth
and in writing, in song and in story?
Is it possible that all these are lie?
Stop and think, men. While you are accus-
ing one another Of all possible basencss you
are at the same time accusing the entire
nation.
l believe that I write simply and plainly
enough and that no intelligent workmen
will charge me with "treason to the cause
of the proetarat." l consider the working
class a powerful cultural factor in dark
peasant country, and l wish the Russian
workmen with all my heart full development
along moral and physical lines | have said
more than once that industry is one of the
most important bases of culture; that
in the development of industry lie the sal
walton of our country and it's lifting up to
European standards. have repeatedly
argued that the factory worker is not alone
a physical but spiritual asset; that he is
not instrument of somebody elses will,
but human being, possessing his own will.
The city worker is less dependent upon the
elements Of nature than the peasant. What
the peasant produces he either consumes or
sells; his energy returns to earth, as it were.
What the workngman produces remains upon
earth and adorns natures handiwork; it puts
nature at the disposal of men.
Upon this difference in activities rests the
great difference in the psychology between
the peasant and the worker, and I consider
the class-conscious workingman as the aristo-
crat within the democratic movement.
Arstocracy within the democracy-such Is
the position of the workman in our peasant
country, and thus the workman must con-
ccive his position. Unfortunately, however,
he does not yet have this conception of him
SELF
1t must be clear to every one that I ap-
praise highly the Importance of the work.
ing class for the cultural development Of
Russia, and | have no reason to change this
viewpoint Besides, love the workin gman;
l have in common the bond Of blood with
him. I love and respect his work. Finally,
l also love my Russia.
The peoples commssares laugh at
these words, but that does not change
things. Yes, love my Russia with lova
that is painful and protecting. love
my people.
We Russians are a people that have
never worked as freemen. The Russian
people has not had the opportunity to
develop all its powers and abilities. When
l think that the revolution has in it the
possibilities to give Russia chance at free
labor and at untrammeled development my
heart swells with hope and JOY even in these
days of blood and wine debauches.
Right here, however, begins the line of
decisive and irreconcilable difference be-
tween myself and the insane activities CT
the peoples commissaries.
I believe that the ideal Maximalism Is
quite useful for the uncomfortable Russian
soul. 1t can wake in her the long needed
activity and stir great desires 1t can put
life into this withered Russian soul shape
it and develop initiative in it,
But the practical Maximalism the an
archo-communism Of the Missionaries ut the
Smony Institute, is destructive to the coun-
try, and especially to the working class
The peoples commissaries look upon Russia
as material for experiments. The Russian
people to them is like the horse which the
learned bnctcrioogist inoculates with ty-
phus bacill in order to obtain from it's blood
the curative serum
The reformers Of the Smolny Institute are
calmly sacrificing Russia to their fantasy