V. I.

Lenin

The editors of Ivestia of the Petrograd Soviet have adopted a ministerial tone. They do not like Pravda; they
condemn it for its “sharp attacks against the Provisional
Government”.

To criticise what he doesn’t like is the sacred right of every
publicist. But why make oneself ridiculous by dispensing
ministerial censure for our “attacks” without criticising the
issues we raise? Would it not be better to analyse our arguments, or at least one of our resolutions, or at least one
of our statements on the class struggle?

“ The country today is heading for ruin,” says
Izvestia’s editorial. Correct. For that very reason it would be unwise today to rely on the conciliatory policy of the
petty bourgeoisie, the Narodniks and the Mensheviks, with regard
to the capitalists. The country cannot be saved from ruin in
that way.

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