Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XI REVOLUTIONARY PHILOSOPHY AND TACTICS The term "revolutionary" as used in this chapter is not confined to radical movements that seek to accomplish their purposes by bloodshed. The word revolution is often misunderstood. It does not always, or even mainly, imply terror and executions such as accompanied the French Revolution, nor the destruction of life and property by violence. There can be peaceful revolutions. The famous English political philosopher, Edmund Burke, once remarked that greater changes may sometimes be introduced into society insensibly through a period of years than can be wrought by sudden and violent action in a short time. The word revolution means_a_fuadam ntal--or radical change in the basisof things. The winning of American independence was accomplished by a violent "revolution" which substituted the authority of the American people for that of the British King and Parliament. The gradual change from the 113 agricultural and feudal society of the eighteenth century to the manufacturing society of the nineteenth century brought about by steam and machinery is called the "Industrial Revolution." Again when the old Federalist party was overthrown in 1800 by the triumph of Jeffersonian Democracy, the overturn was hailed as the "Great Revolution." So there are revolutions that mean violence and bloodshed; there are revolutions that are brought about insensibly and gradually as coral reefs are built up by the action of tiny insects; and there are. revolutions brought about by the political overthrow of a ruling class, such as a nobility or clergy. Changes deserve the name of revolution, however, only when they are radical, drastic, and far-reaching. The overthrow of a monarchy and the substitution of a..."