The daily worker., 1925-11-18

What Is Bolshevization?

discipline. We have here a case Of
mistaking the outward, tho in
dispensible form of Bolshevist or
ganization for the very soul Of Boil
shevism.
Still other comrades define Bolshev-
ism as a capability Of application Of
past revolutionary experience to pre-
sent conditions. But even this CON
ception is hardly satisfactory. Cap
ability can be required from leader,
not from each and every Bolshevik.
1t is, in general, impossible to in
occulate somebody with capabilities.
They are inborn, not acquired by
conviction or revolutionary ardor
Besides, no Bolshevik claims infall-
ability in the appreciation of situa-
ton. AS a human being, the most IL
lustrious Bolshevik has his limita-
tions, and is not, consequently, i'm
mune against errors in the applica-
tion of past revolutionary experience
to a new situation.
What are really the essential traits
of Bolshevik?
1t goes without saying that a Boil
shevik adheres to MARKHAM teachings
and acts accordingly. Unlike the men
shevik, who contents himself with
talking revolution, class struggle, etc,
Bolshevik strives to materialize
these precepts of Marx, Engels and
Lenin.
In the second place a Bolshevik is
always with the masses, participating
in their everyday struggles. The Boil
sheviki ultimately triumphed in Rus
sia, altho not being in majority,
solely because of their close contact
with the masses. The tremendous in
fuence exhibited by the British Com
munists at Scarborough was gained by
having had penetrated the workers
organizations.
Thirdly, a Bolshevik while penetrat-
ing the thick of the masses, does not,
nevertheless, level himself down to
their standard. On the contrary, he
goes to the masses with the purpose
to elevate them up to his own revo-
lutionary standard. While participat-
ing in the daily struggles of the work
ing class, he does not fail to inject
into them revolutionary issues.
For-and this is another character
istic of a Bolshevik-a Bolshevik
thinks only in terms of the prole-
tartan revolution. He does not let him.
self to be swayed from his path of ac-
tivity by any consideration of bour-
geois democracy, comfort, kinship,
career and the like.
And the last-but by far not the
st-characteristic of a Bolshevik
is action. An inactive Bolshevik is a
misnomer. The moment Bolshevik
ceases to be active, he forfeits his
Bolshevist birthright
The enumerated requirements and
qualifications are the acid test of a
Bolshevik. How many of us will stand
the test?
Hence the urgent necessity of the
bolshevization of the party.
And if l were to define bolsheviza-
tion, would say:
Bolshevization is adoption of the
party, thru a MARKHAM education and
constant activity within the working
masses, to its task of leading them to
the proletarian revolution.
In short: Bolshevization aims at the
conversion of the Workers Party into
party of professional proletarian
revolutionists.
This conversion ought to be per-
formed long ago. 1t must at least be
done now. The sooner the better
The party strife wrought havoc to
the morale of our ranks. 1t has torn
asunder every party branch in two
hostile camps. The existing branches
ceased to serve the purpose. They be-
came obsolete and clog the way to
bolshevization.
Luckily, with the reorganization just
started, the Workers Party gets it's
way cleared for its rejuvenation and
conversion into true Bolshevist par
.y. worthy of the name Of:
''The American section of the Conn
intern"