Title: To talk with governors: never
Subtitle: To demand the return of prisoners: always
Topic: anti-state
Date: 1902
Source: La Huelga General, year 2, num. 7, 15-1-1902

What is happening between workers and authorities is going beyond the limits of tolerability.

Have the workers not yet been convinced that they have nothing to expect from any ruler?

To claim an improvement in their situation by presenting petitions to the governors is to naively believe that they can have paternal feelings for the exploited.

No. It is not a good procedure to ask for support from those who exist only to protect the interests of the capitalists, who are essentially their enemies.

From the moment that the wage earners agree to demand something, since they are not yet sufficiently organized to take everything, they should come to an agreement directly with their exploiters and deal with them alone; but they should never make the mistake of seeking strength from anyone but their own energy and will.

Only manufacturers and employers of all kinds can go to official centers with their own rights, and there, inspired by the defense of their social gangs, they can try as much as they can and as much as they want against their victims who have the audacity to stand up as worthy men, but we in conscience should not present ourselves in demand or as a sign of respect for their hypocritical kindnesses.

In our centers we must meet. We alone must discuss what is convenient for us. The conditions that must be demanded must come from us.

And if we ever go to the civil government, it should not be in the humble attitude of one who asks for protection, but as befits men who have a perfect notion of justice and the corresponding virility.

Yes; against brute force there is only another force greater than the conscience of the law.

Let us not forget it. While our solidarity does not achieve the necessary resistance, let us not rest in the effort to achieve it.

Let us not cease to promote union and solidarity among all workers for the great demands. Many, very many already understand it this way, and this, only this, is the right path.