Page:Edward Aveling - Wilhelm Liebknecht and the Social-Democratic Movement in Germany (1896).djvu/5

 didn't think they were beaten and they won. So I have never admitted that I was beaten, and so has the proletariat never admitted that it was beaten."

Then there was the singing of the "Marseillaise" and the presentation of a tableau. "Freedom" in the midst, in the person of a beautiful girl. On one hand of her, representatives of different trades in their working clothes, under the leadership of a man made up exactly like Liebknecht. On the other hand, Bismarck, Stumm, Hammerstein, with his Flora Gazz and his Stocker, soldiers and police.

Besides the public festival, at his home, 40, Kantstrasse, Charlottenburg, near Berlin, Liebknecht received many deputations and visitors. Deputations from the writers of the Vorwärts, the printers of the Vorwärts, his Berlin constituents (he is member for the sixth of the six divisions of Berlin), from trade unions and from the local committees. At the office of the Vorwärts and at his private house, hundreds of telegrams were delivered; over 300 from Germany alone, and over 100 from other countries. Switzerland sent 25, England 12, France 8. More than 900 cards of congratulation were received, and over 250 of these came from America. The party press of Germany and other countries was full of poems, articles, studies about him or in his honour. The Socialist members in all the Parliaments where they have representation, sent special messages. The tone of all these letters, telegrams, messages may be gathered from one instance, the telegram sent by the Bordeaux Socialists. "Honour and gratitude to the valiant Liebknecht for his incomparable services to International Socialism, and for the admirable example of unshaken firmness in convictions and indomitable energy in fight that he has given to the soldiers of the universal proletariat."

The following are one or two more out of the vast number of telegrams received:—

"Seventy years, grey-haired, the heart still young, many warfares, many victories, hard fighter. Our greetings to you."

"Honour and long life to the veteran in the social fight for the freeing of mankind."