Date: 1913-12-20
Source: ru:PSS/v48

# TO V. S. VOYTINSKY. DECEMBER 20, 1913

Source: CW vol 48

"buddy-buddy" relations, or something, with the Poshekhon lesser-bourgeois.

In Russia, the process of restoring and strengthening the Marxist workers' party is underway.

The discussions and resolutions that provoke such short-sighted mockery in the author have a gigantic educational and organizational significance. "They shout 'hurrah'" - the author ironizes - purely liberal irony, the irony of an intellectual completely detached from the workers' movement. Why, then, do local groups of party members in no other opposition party in Russia openly discuss internal party disagreements?? Huh??

The author stands on some kind of sentimental-hysterical point of view. In the resolutions, there is the greatest process of consolidating the workers' party, for no one in the world can force the workers to choose between two hurrahs (the hurrah of the party members and the hurrah of the liquidators) except through conscious sympathy and analysis of directions. Not to see the gigantic ideological and organizational significance of the struggle of the working class over two trends behind the somewhat crude form of the proletarian "scuffle" is phenomenal blindness. I cannot imagine a better explanation for this blindness than the author's detachment and his "captivity" by the lesser-bourgeois scoundrel company.

The author absolutely did not understand the reference to the workers' curia. 47% - 50% - 67% in the 2nd-3rd-4th Dumas*. Is this not a fact?? What does the "reactionary nature of the curiae" (about which swindlers and Burenins scream from the pages of the New Workers' Newspaper to divert attention) have to do with it?? Was not the law equally reactionary, in the sense of being equally curial, in all three?? Even a baby would understand that the reactionary nature of the curiae has nothing to do with it. And the fact remains: the intelligentsia has gone away (and good riddance), the workers themselves have stood up against the liquidators. A new historical period. A new era. And the author invents a "middle line" - it would be funny if it were not so sad. The author understands not even one-hundredth of the depth of the struggle with the liquidators. It is impossible to restore the party except against the liquidators. Now the workers themselves have understood this.

In a month from October 20 to November 2 - 4800 signatures (NB) for the six and 2500 for the seven (including 1000 Bundist. NB! NB!). Is this not a fact?? This is a fact, not intellectual whining! This is not a party, you see, because there is no "unity" and no "congress"!!! Ha-ha!! There will be no unity with the liquidators and the Bundists - it is time to understand this and not to contemplate the irretrievably past old. A congress is extremely difficult (that is why the party destroyers refer to the "congress" as if to ad kalendas graecas!*). These signatures are precisely the new form of the old party. And this is not understood??

The old national "federation of the worst type" has passed away forever. The author does not understand this either.

The equality of the six and the seven (the author speaks in vain about the eight, for the party does not recognize the eighth at all as social-democratic**) the author misunderstands. Why should the party not give equality to a group of near-party members in the Duma??*** The author did not understand the most serious meaning of the concept "near-party."

Our journal is not an almanac but a fighting organ. Therefore, there can be no question of publishing the article and the speech. But I would be very glad to see the author's objection to my criticism, as I am generally extremely glad for any exchange of opinions with old friends. If I "rewrote" something in this criticism and sometimes expressed myself not too politely - I ask you to kindly forgive me. I swear, I did not want to offend, but in the name of old friendship, I laid out "in simplicity" everything I thought and think.

How magnificently the campaign for the six against the seven unfolded! What a wonderful consolidation and education of the workers against liberal workers' politicians! What an excellent, first in Russia, example that the workers' party really decides the fate of its own.

* - postponing to a time that will never come! Ed.

** Referring to E. I. Yagello. Ed.

*** This in no way restricts the party; it can educate the near-party.