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| It is impossible to engage
in intellectual discourse with National Socialist Philosophy, for if there
were such an entity, one would have to try by means of analysis and discussion
either to prove its validity or to combat it. In actuality, however, we
face a totally different situation. At it's very inception this movement
depended on the deception and betrayal of one's fellow man; even at that
time it was inwardly corrupt and could support itself only by constant
lies. After all, Hitler states in an early edition of "his" book (a book
written in the worst German I have ever read, in spite of the fact that
it has been elevated to the position of the Bible in this nation of poets
and thinkers): "It is unbelievable, to what extent one must betray a people
in order to rule it." If at the start this cancerous growth in the
nation was not particularly noticeable, it was only because there were
still enough forces at work that operated for the good, so that it was
kept under control. As it grew larger, however, and finally in an ultimate
spurt of growth attained ruling power, the tumor broke open, as it were,
and infected the whole body. The greater part of its former opponents went
into hiding. The German intellectuals fled to their cellars, there, like
plants struggling in the dark, away from light and sun, gradually to choke
to death. Now the end is at hand. Now it is our task to find one another
again, to spread information from person to person, to keep a steady purpose,
and to allow ourselves no rest until the last man is persuaded of the urgent
need of his struggle against this system. When thus a wave of unrest goes
through the land, when "it is in the air," when many join the cause, then
in a great final effort this system can be shaken off. After all,
an end in terror is preferable to terror without end.
We are not in a position to draw up a final judgment about the meaning of our history. But if this catastrophe can be used to further the public welfare, it will be only by virtue of the fact that we are cleansed by suffering; that we yearn for the light in the midst of deepest night, summon our strength, and finally help in shaking off the yoke which weighs on our world. We do not want to discuss
here the question of the Jews, nor do we want in this leaflet to compose
a defense or apology. No, only by way of example do we want to site the
fact that since the conquest of Poland three hundred thousand Jews
have been murdered in this country in the most bestial way. Here we see
the most frightful crime against human dignity, a crime that is unparalleled
in the whole of history. For Jews, too, are human beings - no matter what
position we take with respect to the Jewish question - and a crime of this
dimension has been perpetrated against human beings. Someone may say that
the Jews deserve their fate. This assertion would be a monstrous impertinence;
but let us assume that someone said this - what position has he then taken
toward the fact that the entire Polish aristocratic youth is being annihilated?
(May God grant that this program has not yet fully achieved its aim as
yet!) All male offspring of the houses of the nobility between the ages
of fifteen and twenty were transported to concentration camps in Germany
and sentenced to forced labor, and all the girls of this age group were
sent to Norway, into the bordellos of the SS! Why tell you these
things, since you are fully aware of them - or if not of these, then of
other equally grave crimes committed by this frightful sub-humanity? Because
here we touch on a problem which involves us deeply and forces us all to
take thought. Why do German people behave so apathetically in the
face of all these abominable crimes, crimes so unworthy of the human race?
Hardly anyone thinks about that. It is accepted as fact and put out
of mind. The German people slumber on in their dull, stupid sleep and encourage
these fascist criminals; they give them the opportunity to carry on their
depredations; and of course they do so. Is this a sign that the Germans
are brutalized in their simplest human feelings, that no chord within them
cries out at the sight of such deeds, that they have sunk into a fatal
consciencelessness from which they will never, never awake? It seems to
be so, and will certainly be so, if the German does not at last start up
out of his stupor, if he does not protest wherever and whenever he can
against this clique of criminal, if he shows no sympathy for these hundreds
of thousands of victims. He must evidence not only sympathy; no, much more:
a sense of complicity in guilt. For through his apathetic behavior
he gives these evil men the opportunity to act as they do; he tolerates
this "government" which has taken upon itself such an infinitely great
burden of guilt; indeed, he himself is to blame for the fact that it came
about at all! Each man wants to be exonerated of a guilt of this kind,
each one continues on his way with the most placid, the calmest conscience.
But he cannot be exonerated; he is guilty, guilty, guilty!
It is not too late, however, to do away with this most reprehensible of
all miscarriages of government, so as to avoid being burdened with even
greater guilt. Now, when in recent years our eyes have been opened, when
we know exactly who our adversary is, it is high time to root out this
brown horde. Up until the outbreak of the war the larger part of the German
people was blinded; the Nazis did not show themselves in their true aspect.
But now, now that we have recognized them for what they are, it must be
the sole and first duty, the holiest duty of every German to destroy these
beasts.
If the people are barely aware that the government exists, they are happy. When the government is felt to be oppressive they are broken. Please make as many copies as possible of this leaflet and distribute them. |