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

90V. I. LENINOn what are all trends agreed, from Rech to Novaya Zhizn 50inclusively, from the Kornilovite Cadets to the semi-Bolsheviks, all, except the Bolsheviks?They all agree that the Bolsheviks will either never daretake over full state power alone, or, if they do dare, anddo take power, they will not be able to retain it even forthe shortest while.If anybody asserts that the question of the Bolsheviksalone taking over full state power is a totally unfeasiblepolitical question, that only a swelled-headed “fanatic”of the worst kind can regard it as feasible, we refute thisassertion by quoting the exact statements of the most responsibleand most influential political parties and trendsof various “hues”.But let me begin with a word or two about the first ofthe questions mentioned—will the Bolsheviks dare takeover full state power alone? I have already had occasion,at the All-Russia Congress of Soviets, to answer this questionin the affirmative in no uncertain manner by a remarkthat I shouted from my seat during one of Tsereteli’s 51ministerial speeches. And I have not met in the press, orheard, any statements by Bolsheviks to the effect that weought not to take power alone. I still maintain that apolitical party—and the party of the advanced class inparticular—would have no right to exist, would be unworthyof the name of party, would be a nonentity in any sense,if it refused to take power when opportunity offers.We shall now quote statements by the Cadets, Socialist-Revolutionaries and semi-Bolsheviks (I would prefer