Written: Written on April 10, 1922
Published:
Note to L. B. Kamenev first published in 1965 in Collected Works, Fifth (Russian) Ed., Vol. 54.
Remarks on V. V. Adoratsky’s letter first published in 1945 in Lenin Miscellany XXXV
Comrade Kamenev:
This is from Comrade Adoratsky. See him and help him.
Yours,
Lenin
Dear Vladimir Ilyich:
... I should very much like to carry on and complete the initial plan, namely, to compile X a collection of “Selected Letters of Marx and Engels on Questions of Theory and Politics”. I am now much more confident, because I have gained greater mastery of the subject....
I should like to see you and discuss some of Vladimir Viktorovich Adoratsky my doubts. If this is possible, call me. I am always at the Central Archives, 8 Vagankovsky, telephones 1–78–38 or 1–75–86.
It would be well if you wrote me a paper or something, have written[1] saying that I have been authorised to do this work, and that I should be given assistance at the Socialist Academy in my studies there. If I were able to devote 4 hours or so to the work at the Socialist Academy every morning, I could have everything ready for the printer’s within a couple of months. I do not quite understand what means assigning “the concern” about the letters # Sometimes it also pays to do this! to Comrade Kamenev. If it means giving me a shove now and then to keep me from forgetting # about them, that is not necessary—I remember it very well. If it means assistance, consultation and help—that would be really fine. I should be very glad to be able to consult with someone. X I’m afraid I can’t. X But I should like to have your final review and sanction...
I have a general outline of the plan of this book, and I should like to make a final arrangement. The publication is to be in chronological XX Quite right! order. Some letters, for instance, the one to An- XX nenkov—in full, others—only in extracts.
The material to be selected on theory: philosophy, economic theory, the theory of history, the revolution, the class struggle, historical remarks; on politics: the proletariat and other classes, the labour movement in the various countries, assessment of political leaders, petty-bourgeois democracy.
Am I to confine myself to theory and politics, And so do I. (Lenin) or devote some space to letters shedding light on Marx’s life, and being of interest for a biography? I think this is not necessary.
There is to be an introductory article dealing To make the under- standable, they must have notes. briefly with all the questions and indicating the }et|;ers most important parts of the letters relating to them.
[1] See Document 696 of this volume.—Ed.
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