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LENIN ON ORGANIZATION

irreconcilable struggle against all deviations from the revolutionary Marxian policy. Lenin never glossed over differences of opinion, never tried to conceal them by a screen of outward well being, peace and harmony. On the contrary, with revolutionary passion he fought to the end against all retreats and deviations and did not hesitate even before splits and expulsions, not only of Mensheviks and Liquidators, but also of revolutionary phrase-mongers like the Otzovists, Ultimatists, and "god creators." However, he was not in favor of splits at all costs. He first of all explored all possibilities of directing the erring comrades on the path of revolutionary Marxism, and only when all his efforts produced no favorable results did he decide to break with them. After the first split, when, in 1905, the Mensheviks, as a result of the pressure of the masses, moved to the Left and in the practical revolutionary himself advocated unity. Subsequently, in the Spring of 1905, the Fourth Congress of the R. S. D. L. P., known as the Unity Congress, was held. At this Congress the Mensheviks obtained a majority, but Lenin did not leave the Party. He continued the fight within its ranks in order to win it from within. By the time the Fifth Congress of the R. S. D. L. P. was held in 1907, the Bolsheviks had managed to secure a majority. The leadership of the Party passed into the hands of the Bolsheviks. The Mensheviks had a definitely formed fraction in the Party. In 1908 they came forward openly as the liquidators of the revolutionary Party.

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