############“...And so, in summary, I repeat that the charges made in this pamphlet,” Drexler raised the piece of paper in his right hand high above the podium at which he stood, “are untrue. Completely untrue.” Now the founder of the German Workers’ Party looked over at Halstead, who sat behind a table and faced the audience of several thousand crammed into the Burgerbräu. “I extend my apologies to Herr Hitler, whom I now address as der Führer. Our Führer, mein Führer, is the sole leader of the Darbeitpartei, now that the committee has voluntarily disbanded itself in the name of party unity. Long live der Führer, and long live Germany!” Drexler received his first standing ovation ever, and sat back down with tears in his eyes after being embraced by a jubilant Halstead. The new dictator of the party now took the podium himself, and allowed the applause for the previous speaker to erupt into a roar of approval for himself. The beerhall was rocked by highly unified chants of “Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!” accompanied by the fist-to-the-chest salute of party members, and it was almost five minutes before the object of adoration could match the shouts of his followers with his own shouting. “My fellow Germans! My fellow Darbeitpartei members! Today is a beautiful day for the party of German workers and a beautiful day for Germany!” More cheering, which had to be subdued by means of two arms extended outward with palms down. “Today is the day that the Darbeitpartei has achieved true unity, unity of spirit and of purpose!” Halstead took a step back, then a step forward. “As Herr Drexler has just informed you, he and the other members of the now-disbanded committee have retracted their false accusations and have also acknowledged what, with all humility, I must say has been a reality for quite some time, that I, Adolf Hitler, am the sole leader of the Darbeitpartei.” The crowd did not seem to mind this statement, judging by its renewed fit of cheering. |