Alexander Berkman

War Dictionary

1917

Retrieved on March 14th, 2009 from www.spunk.org

Allies

The fairies of Democracy.

Barbarians

The other fellows.

Congress

The valet of Woodrow the First.

Censorship

The rape of Free Speech.

Conscription

Free men fighting against their will.

Civilization

In God We Trust.

Democracy

The voice of the Gallery Gods.

Free Speech

Say what you please, but keep your mouth shut.

Huns

Loyal patriots from Central Europe.

Humanity

Treason to government.

Justice

Successful target shooting.

Kaiser

A President’s ambition.

Liberty Bond

A bone from a bonehead.

Liberty Loan

The bread line of the Unborn.

Loyal Citizen

Deaf, dumb, and blind.

Militarism

Christianity in action.

Patriotism

Hating your neighbor.

Registration

Funeral march of Liberty.

Sedition

The proof of Tyranny.

Slacker

Jesus Christ.

Trenches

Digging your own grave.

Un-American

Independent opinion.

Un-Democratic

Ideals.

Uniform

Government strait-jacket.

Victory

Ten million dead.

War

The propaganda of Democracy.

* * *

Which is the braver? The man who falls in line with the great majority or he that faces the wrath of millions for conscience sake?

Do not confound us with the pacifists. We believe in fighting. Aye, we have been fighting all our lives — fighting injustice, oppression, and tyranny. Almost single handed at that.

We are not pacifists. But we want to know what we are fighting for, and we refuse to fight for the enemies and the exploiters of humanity.