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“My fellow Germans! I must thank you for coming here tonight, I must thank you for your courage and bravery in joining those of us who have openly defied the Bolshevists who have spent the last ten weeks terrorizing our beloved city. Before I proceed to outline what the German Workers’ Party stands for, allow me to tell you what the Darbeitpartei does not stand for!”
Already, the first round of affirmative mutterings rumbled through the nearest sections of the hall. “The Darbeitpartei does not stand for the wanton and indiscrimate killings that the Communists have engaged in. The Darbeitpartei shall not stand for the oppression of the masses that this so-called ‘Soviet Republic of Bavaria’ has engaged in. No, the Darbeitpartei will not stand for the murder and rape of innocent working-class Germans!”
At this point, the applause became substantial, with some listeners even rising to their feet in their excitement. “Speaking of Germans, now I shall tell you what the Darbeitpartei does stand for! The German Workers’ Party,” Halstead continued drawing out the party’s full name in long syllables for emphasis, “stands for the working German, of course!” Many Ja’s emanated from the crowd, and the speaker increased his volume to a full shout. “The German Workers’ Party stands for Germany, for a united Germany, a united Germany that Germans can be proud of once more!”
Now the applause was a full standing ovation, and Halstead paused to pull back, bask in the adoration, and give a nod perceptible only to its recipient, an Ernst Röhm at the back of the hall who departed for the front entrance of the Burgerbräukeller. When the Reichswehr major had departed from his sight, and the roar of the crowd had subsided slightly, Halstead returned to the podium to continue.
“My fellow Germans! You might ask how we will go about achieving a united Germany restored to all of its former glory. Well, in order to build a firm foundation, we must first knock down the rickety structure that is in place!” The applause was now replaced by a tittering laughter that prompted a smile below the speaker’s small moustache. “We must match the achievements of our fellow countrymen in Berlin and wipe out the Red Menace. The Bavarian Communist and Social Democratic order must go, by violence if necessary!”
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