Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis (December 31, 1846 – November 18, 1919)

When I first heard the name Domela Nieuwenhuis mentioned, it was with mockery and disdain.

The Dutch bourgeoisie was deeply offended that one of their own had abandoned them to turn to the people. It was "incomprehensible" that a distinguished man could leave a milieu where he was highly appreciated, where he held an important place at the table of life. Certainly, one had to be unbalanced to show so little "practicality."

What better could the bourgeoisie do than to thwart him as much as possible in his criminal designs to "share everything among everyone"? So a campaign of slander began against him, along with physical persecution.

For the bourgeois youth, it was both a useful and entertaining occupation to go and heckle the meetings of the "deserting pastor," as Dome-la Nieu-wen-huis was called, and many times the dilapidated barn or smoky hall, where this apostle of socialism preached the new gospel of equality and love, witnessed revolting scenes. But I also remember that young people who had set out with the intention of carrying out "spectacular actions" at these socialist meetings, returned ashamed of their intentions toward this man who, despite themselves, impressed them and commanded the admiration of young hearts still capable of enthusiasm.

Ah, those early days of socialism! Can there still be such a spirit of sacrifice, such love for the poor, such devotion to the cause, as shown by those early preachers of socialism in their struggle against ignorance, fanaticism, and meanness that surrounded them on all sides?

Yes, Domela, in those days, was above all an apostle. As such, he was adored by his followers and hated by his opponents. He occupied a special place. The masses, to whom he had devoted himself, idolized him. His words and deeds were never judged like those of any other mortal. What he did was good, even when people did not understand him. The poor, the simple, the unfortunate who, in Holland, and especially in the northern provinces, still lived like animals, showed boundless gratitude to the man who had shown them the way to a better life.

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Domela Nieuwenhuis avait quitté l’église luthérienne où il était pasteur, en 1879.

From that date on, his entire life was devoted to the socialist cause. He was the first to bring socialist ideas to the working class in Holland. He was also the first editor of a socialist newspaper, the first socialist in Parliament, the first cooperator, and, finally, if not the first, then certainly the most energetic anti-parliamentarian.

For many years, Domela's existence was nothing but struggle. He lived solely for propaganda, and the revolutionary movement found in him the agitator par excellence. Holding meetings and writing propaganda articles was his raison d'être for more than twenty years.

Not only did he suffer persecution from his opponents in his daily efforts, he also experienced prison under exceptionally cruel conditions. It was rather an act of revenge by the capitalist class, which wanted to strike a blow against the proletariat, which was beginning to awaken and revolt.

But that was miscalculated. Upon his release from prison, Domela, purified by his suffering, was celebrated and acclaimed more than a king. The socialist seed he had sown had only germinated better.

A few months later, in 1888, voters in the northern provinces elected Dome as a member of Parliament.

This was the height of his popularity.

But he quickly realized the impossibility of influencing this legislative body and since then has remained convinced that the emancipation of workers from their material and moral slavery must be the work of the workers themselves. Thus, he separated himself from parliamentary socialism, which brought him new enemies, who were only too happy to enter the career of a labor representative.

It was Domela Nieuwenhuis who, at the Brussels Congress in 1891, in 1891, defended the Dutch resolution concerning a general strike in the event of war, a resolution that Liebknecht dismissed as rhetoric. He also defended anti-militarism at the following International Congress (Zurich, 1893).

However, over the years, Domela's views leaned increasingly to the left. An anarchist, he soon leaned toward individualism: "The most powerful man in the world is the one who is the most alone."

Was the great loner satisfied with his isolation? Whatever the case, former friends and comrades pitied him.

Thus, in the last ten years, Domela's name was hardly ever seen in connection with current events. Nevertheless, he had not completely withdrawn from political life. It was only the war that dealt him a blow from which he was unable to recover.

In an interview on the occasion of his 70th birthday, Domela said: "Despite the passing years, I still felt young, courageous, and able to work until 1914... Then I felt overcome by a great emptiness. The outbreak of war aged me. I never would have believed that men could become so brutal... Nevertheless, I have not lost my ideal!"

His ideal was this man's greatest strength. He lived and suffered for this ideal.

Domela Nieuwenhuis was the first and most beloved leader of the Dutch proletariat.

The younger generation benefited from his moral courage and tenacity. The entire Dutch people, not just the workers, owe him a debt of gratitude.

As a loyal and selfless champion, for whom all those who call themselves socialists can only feel admiration and respect, he will live on in the memory of the Dutch and international movement.