Page:Bohemia; a brief evaluation of Bohemia's contribution to civilization (1917).pdf/61

 the state. Rome stood still, became enervated, set herself against the spirit of eternal change and progress, and thus perished the nation that had done so much for humanity.

When Tyrš applied this law to his own nation, he saw a small people, recently awakened from death-like sleep, a nation that had demanded from its rulers the right to govern itself, but had been suppressed, a race that could point to a splendid past, but little else, a weak people standing alone and helpless against numberless dangers that might destroy it before it could gather its strength. Tyrš was persuaded that a nation manifesting so much vitality after centuries of oppression had a right to live, but the right must be defended and enforced. For that more was needed than pride of the past. It was necessary to work hard and well, to labor with diligence in the field of progress and enlightenment. “Not the most glorious past,” says Tyrš, “but an active and energetic present is a guarantee of the nation’s future.” True words, especially today, when the future of the Bohemian nation is at stake.

As a lonely rock in the sea against which stormy waves dash from all sides, so lies Bohemia in the heart of Europe, a little land of beauty surrounded by a German ocean. Tyrš realized fully, how difficult was made the very existence of the Czech nation by its geographical position, since evil neighbors ceaselessly pressed from all sides to put an end to Bohemia’s life.

A great discrepancy in strength. This was Tyrš’s solution of Bohemia’s problem: “The smaller the nation, the greater activity it must develop in order to remain, in spite of small numbers, an active and influential element of humanity; the small nation must pay the greatest attention to its healthy growth.” That is the purpose of every small nation and so of the Czech nation. Not an ounce of strength must be wasted; every individual must do his part, every Czech must see to it that his life and his work count—in short, what is lacking in quantity must be made up in quality.

Thus we come to the point which practically is the most important contribution of the whole program of Tyrš. He realizes that a weak people must become gradually accustomed to the heavy tasks awaiting them,