💾 Archived View for library.inu.red › file › claude-journet-anarchy-and-the-anarchists.gmi captured on 2023-01-29 at 08:36:39. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content
➡️ Next capture (2024-07-09)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Title: Anarchy and the Anarchists Author: Claude Journet Date: September 12, 1924 Language: en Topics: ideals, Libertarian Labyrinth Source: https://www.libertarian-labyrinth.org/working-translations/claude-journet-anarchy-and-the-anarchists-1924/ Notes: Claude Journet, “L’Anarchie et les Anarchistes,” L’idée anarchiste No. 12 (September 12, 1924): 5. [Working translation by Shawn P. Wilbur]
The anarchist ideal is certainly not new, but how many individuals would
dare to align themselves with it? It has always been dangerous to use
that label. The pioneers, by example, and then the propagandists,
through speech and writing, would try to spread the noble truths of that
genuinely human philosophy: anarchy.
But they were never appreciated at their true value; they were, like all
sincere individuals, victims of the blind hatred of the crowd. But
despite the aspersions and persecutions, the Idea would survive, ever
more enduring in its constant struggle against authority.
At a certain stage—which we call the heroic period—anarchists would dare
to bravely assert themselves, without pointless talk, but only through
vigorous action.
But today anarchism passes through a chaotic period of deviation when we
witness the sad spectacle of men claiming to be anarchists and demanding
complete liberty, but incapable of respecting the liberty of other and
tending only, though their schemes, to set themselves up as masters, as
rulers of their fellows. They seem to forget, these proud tribunes, that
anarchy only grows among sincere, fraternal individuals and that an
anarchist worthy of the name could not support a political dictatorship,
any more than a system of trade union functionaries—for the two are
identical.
To struggle against all authority, to seek the truth, that is the aim of
the anarchist, but for that, they cannot take any notice of the flatters
or associate with them; nor can they flatter the base instincts of the
crowd, but they must stand mercilessly against all the masters and their
supporters.
They must not seek the flattery and respect of the ignorant, but
struggle against everything that opposes the triumph of reason and
liberty!
Only such men, modest and sincere, will prepare the advent of anarchism!