Page:Ernest Belfort Bax - A Short History of the Paris Commune (1895).djvu/6

 those that took part in it that such was the aim of the movement has been recognised by friends and foes alike.

What meant the blood-frenzy of the Versaillese? What meant the tacit or avowed approval of the capitalistic press throughout the civilised world, at the most hideous carnage known to history, but the desperate rage of threatened class-interests? We all recognise that those who died under the red flag in 187 1 died for Socialism, and a nobler army of martyrs no cause has ever had.

In dedicating this little book to the Social-Democratic Federation, I should say that its initiation is due to my old friend Harry Quelch, now editor of in the columns of which journal it originally appeared in serial form.