The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1949-12-23

In your isue of December 2 there
is communication captioned "COM-
MUNIST PARTY SECRETARY RE-
PLIES TO G. w. GARDINER, re
"real issue" in the Trial of the H..
Owing to what is apparently typo
graphical error at the close of this
letter, we do not learn the name of
this local Communist spokesman, al
though the final line seems to identi-
fly him as Chairman, Communist
Party of Montana"
In his letter, this chairman or sec
rotary of the local party seeks to de-
fend his party against some allega-
tons and quotations previously SUBJ
mitted by Mr.. Gardiner Let me say
here that | am not a member of the
so-called Communist Party, but at
the same time | do not agree with Mr..
Gardeners apparent position, that
there is no difference as between in
dividuals who may advocate "force
and violence" and political concept
which recognizes that force and vio-
lence might ensue in revolutionary
situation, while advocating peaceful
means whenever possible, and as far
as possible. Nor do | agree with Mr.
GARDENERS apparent viewpoint that
a denial of Constitutional rights, even
to Communists, does not constitute
a serious danger to all Americans.
However, do count myself among
the many people who, wishing to keep
abreast of world thought, have made
a study of Marxism and Leninism.
And to such people this local Com
munist's" defense will seem quite pc
culiar. For example, Mr.. Gardiner
uses some quotations from the 1928 |
Program of the Communist Interna-
tionale. Now, informed people know |
that every statement made by this |
body was based square
y on Marxism or Leninism; that ev-
cry member of that body was neces-
iarily an ardent advocate of Marx
Yet in regard to these
quotations, this communist defend
II" writes g. Mr.. GARDENERS quo
alton :. (. is 81 years of age-and it
lid not and does not represent blue
,rint for Communist activity" (My
emphasis, HID Further along he
Mr.. Gardiner for basing his
'ase ION a paragraph or two from
he 1948 Program of the Communist
nternationale, which itself has ceas-
d to exist"
1t is therefore fair to assume that
his local communist repudiates the
bove mentioned Marxist statements.
md why? Why, because they are
81 years of age" and because the
ody which issued them "has ceased
o exist" Presumably then, this
IAN, using age or non-existence of
uthors as a yardstick, would all the
lore repudiate the whole body of
1arxist writings. For the writings
f Karl Marx are just about one hum
red years of age, and Marx, too, is !
on-existent, in the flesh, at least.
We are justified in concluding that s
his communist spokesman believes
nat his party now has something bet [
er than Marxism to serve as "a
uide to action; that in his opinion, I
nd that of his party, Marxism, and
so Leninism, is now outmoded. -
A strange conclusion for Com :
unist" to arrive at! But after all, i,
lis local communist is faithfully fol- :
wing the revisionist program of
lie CPUSA, which first under Browd- :
:, and now under the Foster-Den-
S leadership, is seeking to revise
arxism-Leninism. Whether one be-
eyes in Communist theology or not, :
lie can, at least, respect such advo- !.
ties of it who speak out fearlessly
II what they believe. But what
ust be thought of sniveling, apol- L
setic defense" which repudiates a
hat should be the very foundation T
its own -"beliefs"? z
edna Trial-A Very Real Threat !
, Bill of Rights !,
1t is from such a viewpoint that O
udents of Marxism will evaluate the t,
nduct of sthe III, who were on e
al in Foley Square. That trial it.
If, with Judge Medina violating not D
ly the law, but every sense of de- P
ncy, with it's string of stool pigeon O.