July 29, 2004
La Commune/La Commune
April 12
When I wake up this morning I see that the Issy fortress, which I thought had been taken, still has a red flag. The Versailles forces must have been pushed back.
Why this zeal, such as the Prussians never encountered? Because the idea of patriotism is dying. Because the formula "All men are brothers" has made headway even in these times of invasion and cruel defeat. Because the International's doctrine of indifference to nationality has infiltrated the masses.
Why this zeal? Because in this war the people themselves make the war, lead it themselves, and are not under the yoke of militarism. This amuses and interests these men, and so nothing tires or discourages them, nothing disheartens them. You can get anything from them, even heroism.
-- Edmond Goncourt, 1871
Posted by jane at July 29, 2004 06:11 AM | TrackBack