Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/894

 market-gardeners, miners and metal-workers. An epitome of the whole of society was there.

It was a stirring scene, this assembly, where were gathered together the most energetic and most enthusiastic of the combatants for the Revolution, who, inaugurating a new era, were about to disentangle and sum up the aspirations of the people; to point out the road along which they were resolved to march.

The old militants, who had seen so many Congresses; who had fought rough fights, and known the bitterness of struggles against the employers and the State; who in their hours of anxiety and doubt had despaired of ever seeing their hopes materialize, were radiant with joy. Their bold thoughts of past years were taking shape. they lived their dream! A happy moment it was, when old comrades greeted each other. They met, their hands held out; and trembling, and deeply moved, they embraced each other—transfigured, radiant.

The new delegates, out of their element at first, in the midst of this fever of life, were soon caught by the atmosphere of enthusiasm. Many of them were the product of events. Before the Revolution, they were ignorant of their own capacities; and if it had not come to shake them out of their torpor, they would have continued to vegetate; passive, indifferent, hesitating. Thanks to it, their inner powers were revealed to themselves; and now, overflowing with passion, energy, and enthusiasm, they vibrated with an immense force.

The Distribution of Wealth

In the first place, a resolution was taken which there was no need to discuss, or even to explain—it was so logical and inevitable: the charging the community with the