On November 8 and 9, the second annual celebration in memory of the failed putsch of 1923 took place in Munich. The incidents of June 30 cast a dark shadow over the festivities and Hitler cancelled the commemorative march to the Feldherrnhalle. He gave the following speech at the Burgerbraukeller.
"The SIGNIFICANCE of November 8 and 9, 1923, lies for us in the fact that this Movement proved its inner toughness and resilience back then. If Fate were ever to impose a similar burden upon us again, we can recall the day when we believed to have already grasped hold of power only to find ourselves in prison a few hours later; the day when we were confidant of having demonstrated our quick-wittedness only to wake up the next morning empty-handed. How did it happen that we were nevertheless able to overcome this catastrophe?
Back then the Movement carried out its historic order, and there is only one thing left to say to today's know-it-alls: either none of you has ever read Clausewitz, or if you have, you have not understood how to apply him to the present.
Clausewitz writes that reconstruction is possible even after a heroic collapse. Only cowards abandon their own cause, and that continues to take effect and spread like an insidious drop of poison. And then the realization dawns that it is still better, if necessary, to accept a horrible but sudden end than to bear horrors without end.
And then the time came when talk was not enough. For once, action had to be taken. For ultimately, only action can force men under its spell.
We had to take action in 1923, because we were convinced at the time with the final attempt of the separatists in Germany. Want was appalling; inflation had robbed the people of all their worldly goods; hunger was rampant. The people could not count on a single tomorrow. Anyone who hoisted a flag was sure of a following. There were many people who simply said: it makes me no difference who takes action. The main thing is that someone has the courage to do something. If another had had the courage to take action, the Volk would have followed him. It would have said: it's a good thing that someone is taking the risk.
Had the men who were faced with taken action, utmost danger would have been imminent. Others would have taken action on November 12, 1923, along the lines of the maxim we heard preached so often back then, namely: Northern Germany will become Bolshevik in any case, so we need to secede! We must have the North gutted! Only when that has been done can we later unite with it once again! Of course they knew how to divide. But how one would ever be able to reunite -- that was the least of these gentlemen's worries.
And for that reason we were resolved back then to act first. We did not intend to stage a coup. But I made one decision: if thee opposition goes so far that I know they will strike. I will strike four days earlier. And if people say to me, "Yes, but think of the consequences!" my reply is, "The consequences could never have been worse than if no action had been taken."
We have but a single pain that not all of those who marched with us can be here, that a number of our very best, most loyal and most zealous fighters have not lived to see the goal for which they fought. However, they too are present in spirit in our ranks, and in eternity they will know that their fight was not in vain.
The blood which they shed has become the baptismal water of the Third reich.
And thus let us look back in this new Reich upon that which lies behind us and do so in the most distant future, too, and let us bear in mind one article of faith: We shall be resolved at all times to take action! Willing at all times, if necessary, to die! Never willing to capitulate."
Source: HITLER: Speeches and Proclaimations 1932-1945, Max Domarus.
See Also: "Blutzeuge" (Blood Witness)
