Collected Works of V. I. Lenin - Vol. 26 - From Marx to Mao

420SPEECH AT THE SEND-OFFOF THE SOCIALIST ARMY’S FIRST TROOP TRAINSJANUARY 1 (14), 1918 155NEWSPAPER REPORTComrades, I greet you as the living embodiment of theRussian proletariat’s determination to fight for the triumphof the Russian revolution, for the triumph of its great slogansnot only in this country, but also among the peoples of thewhole world. I greet you as the first heroic volunteers of thesocialist army, who are to build up a mighty revolutionaryarmy. This army is called upon to safeguard the gains of therevolution and our people’s power, the Soviets of Soldiers’,Workers’ and Peasants’ Deputies, the whole of this newand truly democratic system, against the attacks of all theenemies of the people, who are bending all efforts to destroythe revolution. These enemies are the world capitalists whoare now organising a crusade against the Russian revolution,which holds out the prospect of liberation to all workingpeople. We must show that we are a force capable of overcomingevery obstacle on the way to world revolution. Letthe example of the comrades going into the trenches buoyup the weak, steady the hesitant and rouse the weary. Thepeoples hear our revolution’s clarion call and are awakening;our army’s ranks will soon be swelled by the proletarianforces of other countries and we shall no longer be alone.(Comrade Lenin’s words were drowned in shouts of greetingsand prolonged applause. The volunteers of the socialist armyaccompanied Comrade Lenin to his car to the strains of theInternationale.)Pravda No. 3 (evening edition),January 17 (4), 1918Published accordingto the Pravda text