Page:Vladimir Ilyich Lenin - On Organization (1926).pdf/34
LENIN ON ORGANIZATION
hangers-on of the bourgeoisie in power. Consequently, without the freedom of discussion and criticism, the proletariat does not recognize unity of action. For that reason, intelligent workers must never forget that sometimes serious violations of principles occur, which make the break-off of organizational relations absolutely necessary."
Subsequently, this led to a complete split between the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks. In 1906–1907, however, Lenin regarded a complete split as premature, and therefore, sometimes made very far-reaching concessions to the Mensheviks. For example, the Menshevik Central Committee insisted upon a bloc with the liberals at the time of the elections to the Second Duma. Lenin was strongly opposed to this bloc, but in order to avoid something worse he took up the position that the Party Conference, which had just been held, left it to the local organizations to solve this question for themselves. In the article referred to, entitled: "The Fight against Pro-Cadet Social Democrats and Party Discipline," Lenin wrote:
"Before the Party there are two platforms: one proposed by 18 delegates of the Conference—Mensheviks and Bundists; the other proposed by 14 delegates—Bolsheviks, Poles and Letts. The competent bodies of the local organizations must select, amend, add to or substitute these platforms by some other. After the competent organs have come to a decision, we, all the members of the Party, will act as one man. A Bolshevik in Odessa must go
32