MASARYK, Tomáš (1850-1937)

MASARYK, Tomáš (1850-1937)

Autograph letter signed [in Czech] « Masaryk » to a political activist
S.l, 21st December 1893, 2 p. 1/4 in-8° on two separate folios
Tears on the folds, small spot in the lower margin on the second folio, typographical annotation on the fourth page

The founder of the Czechoslovak Republic gives a poignant testimony at the dawn of his political career

Translation from Czech:

“If all trusted men have the will to take the free path, no conflict will occur. I could be invited to the meeting attended by a member of the party to agree on a way out of this embarrassing situation. […] If the party turns against me, it opposes the men of confidence, as well as the vote of confidence that has been granted to me. […]
Yesterday students asked me to leave the university. […] I would like to teach this terrorism a lesson. Faced with our indifference, it is difficult to decide what would be better, and above all, it is difficult to decide because one cannot count on direct attacks, but on confusion and lack of loyalty…
Masaryk »

At the end of 1893, Tomas Garrigue Masaryk had just renounced his mandate as Austrian Reichstag. He had represented the moderate wing in the Young Czechs Party, advocating for greater autonomy for the satellite territories of the Habsburg Empire. Here he came to leave the political scene in the face of growing pressure from radicals. He was not to return until 1907 (after founding the Realist Party in 1900).
This letter testifies to the embarrassment caused by Masaryk’s departure from within his party. He intends to silence the radicals who are harming those who, like him, had received the confidence of the people.
He became the first president of the Czechoslovak Republic, from the country’s independence in 1918 until his resignation in 1935.