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more regretted my Inability to speak, than I did at that moment. So majestic and pawerful was that out-and-out labour assembly, so fraternal did its feelings go out to us, that I can scarcely express now the sentiments of deep sympathy to the audience which then animated me. The unusual role of a silent orator could not be very pleasant for me. But the warm wave of brotherly sympathy, which emanated from the hall, was so extraordinary, that I shall long preserve in my heart the memory of that moment.
Whilst being driven to the meeting, some comrades pointed out to me red notices exhibited in all the streets, many of which were pasted over the placards announcing my meeting. These were notices issued by the Anti-Bolshevik League. They contained the most unmistakable threats directed against me. Near the place of the meeting some fellows were distributing appeals directed against me, in which the refrain of Martov's speech—"the butcherer of the Mensheviks" was quoted. It was explained at the same meeting that the Russian Mensheviks are the same as the Right Independents and the members of the Social Democratic Party in Germany.
Here is the text and the translation of the appeal which was distributed in Berlin on October 16-17, 1920.
"Sonntag, den 17, Oktober 1920 halb 10 Uhr spricht in der Hasenheide. SINOWJEW, der Menschewiki-Schlachter. (Menschewiki entsprechen der U.S.P.D. rechter Flugel und S.P.D.) Deutsche Arbeiter, erscheint in Massen, um den Morder Eurer proletarischen russischen Bruder zu begrussen."
The translation reads as follows:—"On Sunday, October 17, 1920, at 9.30 a.m. in "Hasenheide," a speech will be delivered by Zinoviev, the Butcher of the Mensheviks (Mensheviks correspond to the right Wing of the Independent Party and the Social Democratic Party of Germany). German workers, some in thousands to greet the murderer of your brothers, the Russian workers."
The men who attempted to distribute these leaflets were soundly thrashed.
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My comrades and I were soon compelled to leave the meeting, as I felt worse.