V. I. Lenin addressed those present with a brief but powerful speech on the significance of Karl Marx as a socialist leader.

– The working people were in slavery, despite political freedoms. Now they are moving toward a workers' revolution, which will create a socialist society without landlords and capitalists. Russia has been granted the great honor and happiness of helping to found this socialist society and the world Soviet republic. On the day of the international holiday of labor, when we wish to prove to all that we will be able to solve the task of organizing a socialist society of working people, we honor the memory of Karl Marx. And I am confident that the monument we are laying to the great teacher will serve as a call for all your attention to be directed to the necessity of working long and hard in order to create that society in which there will be no place for exploitation.

"Izvestia VTsIK" No. 94, May 4, 1920

Printed according to the text of the newspaper "Izvestia VTsIK"