•() We are very pleased to see our comrades holding such a fervent meeting here. We have not asked you what your purpose is in convening this meeting, but we already know: there are two kinds of meetings held in China. One kind is aimed at preventing China’s freedom and independence; it is organized by traitors and diehard elements. The other kind seeks China’s independence and freedom—whether it is convened by the Communist Party or by anti-Japanese patriots, all such gatherings advocate China’s liberty and independence… Without democracy, it is impossible to defeat Japanese imperialism and achieve final victory. Is it better for a country to be destroyed or not? We say it is better not to be destroyed; however, democracy is essential. Without democracy, national ruin is inevitable. What, then, is democracy? Democracy means the right to move about freely. That single right is enough. With it, we can go wherever we please and oppose fascism, traitors, and the Trotskyists. Therefore, these two words—democracy—are absolutely necessary. Sun Yat-sen had a doctrine called the Principle of People’s Rights, though some people have now forgotten it. Yet there are those who claim to be loyal followers of Sun Yat-sen. Being merely a follower is not enough; one must be a truly faithful believer…


Every sentence, every word, stirred the hearts of all the comrades. His voice was as firm as iron, delivering a powerful blow against those who opposed democracy, opposed the rights of the people,
and opposed the youth.
A round of enthusiastic applause broke out once more. Under the gaze of thousands of eager eyes, Comrade Mao Zedong concluded his brief yet incisive speech.


o Xin Zhonghua Daily, 1939, August, page one (Strengthening Student Unity in the Border Region and Unifying the National Student Movement: The Border Region Students’ Federation Held Its First Congress. Comrades Mao Zedong, Wang Ming, Lian Sheng, and others attended to provide guidance. The meeting adopted a work program, reviewed representatives’ proposals, and elected an executive committee.)