Mussolini as revealed in his political speeches (November 1914-August 1923)Mussolini, Benito
History
Mussolini as revealed in his political speeches (November 1914-August 1923)
Mussolini, Benito
Fascism -- Italy; Italy -- Politics and government -- 1914-1945; Mussolini, Benito, 1883-1945; Partito nazionale fascista (Italy)
I have formed a Ministry with men from all parties in the House. I did
not hesitate to include a member of the old Cabinet. I gave importance
to technical efficiency and paid no attention to political labels. I
formed a Coalition Ministry and I presented it to the Chamber. I asked
for its judgment and its vote and I found that Chamber a little changed.
But when I found out that not less than thirty-three orators had
presented thirty-six orders of the day, I said to myself that perhaps it
was not necessary to abolish Parliament, but that the country would be
glad to see it enjoying a holiday for a certain period. (Laughter.) I
have, therefore, no intention of dismissing the Chamber, of destroying
all the fruits of the Liberal revolution. I can boast of all this
philosophically from a point of view which might almost be called
negative. But philosophy must be silent in the face of political
necessity. Let us speak frankly! What is this Liberalism, this
Liberalism put into practice? Because if there is anyone who believes
that, to be a true Liberal, it is necessary to give some hundreds of
irresponsible people, fanatics and scoundrels, the power of ruining
forty millions of Italians, I refuse absolutely to give them this power.
(Applause.) Gentlemen, I have no fetishes, and where the interests of
the country are concerned the Government has the right to intervene. If
it did not do so, it would be inadequate the first time and the next
time suicidal.
_Respect for the Constitution._ I do not intend to deviate from the
Constitution or to improvise. The example of other revolutions has shown
me that there are some fundamental principles in the life of the people
that must be respected. (Hear, hear!) I do not intend that national
discipline shall be any longer merely a word. I do not intend that the
law shall be any longer a blunt weapon. (Hear, hear!) I do not intend
that liberty shall degenerate into licence. I do not intend, either, to
remain above the fray among those who love, who work for, and who are
ready to sacrifice themselves for the nation, or, on the other hand,
among those who are ready to do the reverse.
It was for just such a foolish “Rolandism” that this last Government
failed. One cannot remain above the fray when the moral forces which are
the foundation of the national community are at stake; and nobody can
say that a national policy, understood thus, is reactionary. For me all
these names of Left and Right, of Conservative, Aristocracy and
Democracy are so many empty academic terms. They serve occasionally to
distinguish, but more often to confuse.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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