The leaflet entitled “Workers—Wake Up!!” that Frayhayt distributed in 1918 was central to the government’s case against the defendants. Following is the official translation of the Yiddish document used at the trial. The prosecution allegedly translated the document in a manner that made it more explosive, whereas in more recent translations it sounds less threatening.
The preparatory work for Russia’s emancipation is brought to an end by his Majesty, Mr. [Woodrow] Wilson, and the rest of the gang; dogs of all colors!
America, together with the Allies, will march to Russia, not, “God Forbid,” to interfere with the Russian affairs, but to help the Czecho-Slovaks in their struggle against the Bolsheviki.
Oh, ugly hypocrites; this time they shall not succeed in fooling the Russian emigrants and the friends of Russia in America. Too visible is their audacious move.
Workers, Russian emigrants, you who had the least belief in the honesty of our government, must now throw away all confidence, must spit in the face [of] the false, hypocritic, military propaganda which has fooled you so relentlessly, calling forth your sympathy, your help, to the prosecution of the war. With the money which you have loaned, or are going to loan them, they will make bullets not only for the Germans but also for the Workers Soviets of Russia. Workers in the ammunition factories, you are producing bullets, bayonets, cannon, to murder not only the Germans, but also your dearest, best, who are in Russia and are fighting for freedom.
You who emigrated from Russia, you who are friends of Russia, will you carry on your conscience in cold blood the shame spot as a helper to choke the Workers Soviets? Will you give your consent to the inquisitionary expedition to Russia? Will you be calm spectators to the fleecing blood from the hearts of the best sons of Russia?
America and her Allies have betrayed (the workers). Their robberish aims are clear to all men. The destruction of the Russian Revolution, that is the politics of the march to Russia.
Workers, our reply to the barbaric intervention has to be a general strike! An open challenge only will let the government know that not only the Russian worker fights for freedom, but also here in America lives the spirit of revolution.
Do not let the government scare you with their wild punishment in prisons, hanging and shooting. We must not and will not betray the splendid fighters of Russia. Workers, up to fight.
Three hundred years had the Romanoff dynasty taught us how to fight. Let all rulers remember this, from the smallest to the biggest despot, that the hand of the revolution will not shiver in a fight.
Woe unto those who will be in the way of progress. Let solidarity live!
THE REBELS
Source: Richard Polenberg, Fighting Faiths: The Abrams Case, the Supreme Court, and Free Speech (New York: Viking, 1987), 51–52.