Vladimir Lenin

September 18, 1918

To the District Commissar, 3 Cadet Line, Vasilyevsky Island, Petrograd

Greetings to the 400 comrade workers who pass out today as Red
Army officers and go to join the ranks. The success of the Russian
and world socialist revolution depends on the degree of energy the
workers display in running the state and commanding the army of
working and exploited people fighting to overthrow the rule of
capital. I am sure therefore that thousands and thousands of
workers will follow the example of the four hundred; with such
administrators and commanders the victory of communism is assured.

Lenin

Chairman of the Council of People—s Commissars