Opinions were voiced as to the necessity of coalition. Coalition with
whom? With the liberal bourgeoisie. But an attempt at coalition with
them had driven the revolution into a terrible morass. The revolt of the
25th of October was an act of self-preservation on the part of the
masses after the period of impotence and treason of the leaders of
coalition government. There remained for us only coalition in the ranks
of so-called revolutionary democracy, that is, coalition of all the
Soviet parties.
Such a coalition we did, in fact, propose from the very beginning--at
the session of the Second All-Russian Council of Soviets, on the 25th of
October. The Kerensky Government had been overthrown, and we suggested
that the Council of Soviets take the government into its own hands. But
the Right parties withdrew, slamming the door after them. And this was
the best thing they could have done. They represented an insignificant
section of the Council. They no longer had any following in the masses,
and those classes which still supported them out of mere inertia, were
coming over to our side more and more. Coalition with the Right
Social-Revolutionists and the Mensheviki could not broaden the social
basis of the Soviet government; and would, at the same time, introduce
into the composition of this government elements which were completely
disintegrated by political skepticism and idolatry of the liberal
bourgeoisie.
Pages:
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113