The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-08-20


as communists In order to des of the sweesh coours
!ud OF commonplace phrases and beautiful ocaed
ings the clear wholesome red revolutionary determination
to struggle.
but can children really struggle? Can we take upon ourselves
the responsibility for making them do so Do not be afraid proe
tran mothers proetaran fathers Your children themselves
nave aeady given you the Our chden groups
now IN the very midst of the struggle We have provoked the
struggle 1t has Of itself of nature that your
children are sure to win it. The bourgeois teachers have provoked
the struggles For young comrades being satisfied with
merely hearing OF socialism and of the struggle for freedom
OF the working class have propagaed that
which they have learned Children them the nature of
fighters The adult very often satisfied with the mere know
ledge remaining entirely passive while children purned
action by the digestion of what they have Without pres
sure being brought upon them children have everywhere
the bourgeois schools openly prossed their socialism They
stood against the mental drugge of the church. against the
natonasc hatred against the petty bourgeois morality and
against the bourgeois desire possess by doing causing
fcs in the schools of various cities Reaconay
teachers have forbidden the children distribute their papers
within the precinct of the school, eng the papers and even
barbarousy furnishing the children for having been found
possession of them These prosecutions have however not
prevented valiant little comrades from doing what they
slider their duty Changing their tactics they have refused
the national anthems and to participate the patriotic school
celebrations In Germany they have demanded that the pictures
Of the imperial runaway be removed from the walls of the class
rooms They have risen valiany during the lessons religion
and history and frankly professed be- communist revo-
onares Whenever teacher found necessary insult their
fathers children have contraded him. never being afraid
of abuse and punishment.
is the task of the leaders of Chdrens Groups induce
the proetaran Parents Councils and other workers organza
ton to assist the children their attempt revoutone the
school, thus carrying on the struggle wider basis
good method to and forty the children proearan
class consciousness to have them participate in the proe
tartan meetings and demonstrations On the First of May
children have marched everywhere the first the professions
of the adults To them gratifying event to feel themselves
members OF the struggling class, their chdke optimism
ring adults not to get tired the struggle for freedom
In our Chldrens Groups the children practise as
matter of proearan solidarity and willingness for
flee They learn to themselves and settle their af
fairs their way They also taught subordinate them
selves under the leaders elected by them They learn consdra
ton for the feeble and how to teach and help eahoth During
the trips there often arises practise
practical communism The leaders OF the Groups not teachers
or superors but and elder friends of children the
difference between them and the young being that they
more and experience share which with the young
their duty The Chdrns Groups forc kept together
They are united only by the will Of the members their in
terest in each other and the joy in their work.
Do not be afraid of the difficulty of this task There
of course admittedly lack of chood personnel Where
could take them from? But there the other hand
valiant and intelligent comrades who not being gifted with the
talent to speak in public work within wider circles would
gladly be active small way To these somewhat shy
great field has been thrown But not wos
and girls comrades pedagogcay little schooed
Will they have the real understanding for the of the
chden Console yourselves friends The of
ton is not learned of books is taught by experience by
working for and together with the children Our love for the
proetarian children ardent wish lead them the free
land of socialism, the knowledge that the education liberty
be effected only where liberty regn that will teach
the right of and show the right form for work
It really not difficult to handle children All has to do
behind the domneeng attitude Of the adult mind and
aqure faculty be able become child amongst children
What does be child 1t does to be childish g
undscpnd All that theadut must have left bhnc
him long ago. For him to become child to be simple
direct throw his whole heart into the work Look the games
Of the chdren Observe their seriousness their devotion to he
plays Be in your devotion to the children your wsf
to domneer and your showing off superior knowledge
ability! Nothing but the remains of the old exploiting nsnc
that continue live secreey hidden of your
and which be extermnated! For that very
children will be in many proetaran families the pioneers Of tn
revolutionary thinking and feeling How often is the family
that of otherwise revolutionary comrade the last hiding pac
of the evil pracse of the petty bourgeoe and of egos
tyranny How many worker while slave in the factory,
poys within the walls of his home the of depote
- ALxIl.