Lenin CW-Vol. 23.pdf - From Marx to Mao

EFFORTS TO WHITEWASH OPPORTUNISM1691904-05, but even with 1914-15 [?], the popular unrest whichflares up as a consequence of the high cost of living, etc.,although a very important symptom, cannot [?] directly [?]become the source of that movement for which we are striving.The only way in which it may be ‘utilised’ expedientlyis by guiding the discontent that breaks out into the channelsof some kind of organised struggle, without which therecan be no question of the masses setting themselves revolutionaryaims. For this reason, even [!!] appeals to organiseco-operative societies, to compel municipal councils to fixprices, and for similar palliatives based on the developmentof the initiative of the masses, are more revolutionary [ha!ha!] and more fruitful than flirting.... Frivolous speculationis ‘positively criminal’,” etc.It is difficult to keep calm when reading outrageousspeeches like these. Even the Bundist editors appear tohave realised that Martov was behaving dishonestly, andadded an ambiguous promise to “return to the subject in afuture issue”....The question is as clear as clear can be. Let us assumethat Chkheidze had to deal with a form of unrest which heconsidered inexpedient. Obviously it was his right and dutyas a revolutionary to combat the inexpedient form—for thesake of what? For the sake of expedient revolutionary actions?Or for the sake of an expedient liberal struggle?That is the whole point! And this is what Martov muddlesup!Mr. Chkheidze was “guiding” the rising revolutionary“mass discontent” “into the channel” of a liberal struggle(only peaceful co-operative societies, only legal pressureon the municipal councils, with the approval of the Governor,etc.), and not into the channel of an expedient revolutionarystruggle. This is the crux of the question; but Martovgoes on spouting in defence of a liberal policy.A revolutionary Social-Democrat would say: “It isinexpedient to loot small shops. Let us organise a moreimpressive demonstration, simultaneously, say, with the Baku,Tiflis and Petrograd workers. Let us direct our hatredagainst the government; let us win over the part of the armythat wants peace. Is this what Mr. Chkheidze said? No.He called for a “struggle” acceptable to the liberals!