It was in this manner that the Bolshevist leaders conspired to Russia’s destruction.  They were absorbing the time and energies of the men who were really trying to do something, compelling them to engage in numerous futile debates, to the neglect of their vitally important work, debates, moreover, which could have no other effect than to weaken the nation.  Further, they were actively obstructing the work of the government.  Thus Tseretelli, Kerensky, Skobelev, and many others whose efforts might have saved the Revolution, were thwarted by men wholly without a sense of responsibility.  Lenine was shrieking for the arrest of capitalists because they were capitalists, when it was obvious that the services of those same capitalists were needed if the nation was to live.  Later on, when confronted by the realities and responsibilities of government, he availed himself of the special powers and training of the despised capitalists.  At this earlier period he was, as Tseretelli repeatedly reminded the workers, without any sense of responsibility for the practical results of his propaganda.  And that was equally true of the Bolsheviki as a whole.  They talked about sending “ultimatums” to the Allies, while the whole system of national defense was falling to pieces.  Tseretelli made the only reply it was possible for a sane man to make: 

“It is proposed that we speak to the Allies with ultimatums, but did those who made this silly proposal think that this road might lead to the breaking of diplomatic relations with the Allies, and to that very separate peace which is condemned by all factions among us?  Did Lenine think of the actual consequences of his proposal to arrest several dozen capitalists at this time?  Can the Bolsheviki guarantee that their road will lead us to the correct solution of the crisis?  No.  If they guarantee this they do not know what they are doing and their guaranty is worthless.  The Bolshevik road can lead us only to one end, civil war.”

Once more the good sense of the working class prevailed.  By an overwhelming majority of votes the Congress decided to uphold the Coalition Government and rejected the Bolshevik proposals.  The resolution adopted declared that “the passing over of all power to the bourgeoisie elements would deal a blow at the revolutionary cause,” but that equally the transfer of all power to the Soviets would be disastrous to the Revolution, and “would greatly weaken her powers by prematurely driving away from her elements which are still capable of serving her, and would threaten the ruin of the Revolution.”  Therefore, having heard the explanations of the Socialist Ministers and having full confidence in them, the Congress insisted that the Socialist Ministers be solely responsible to the “plenipotentiary and representative organ of the whole organized Revolutionary Democracy of Russia, which organ must be composed of the representatives of the All-Russian Congress of Councils of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Delegates, as well as of representatives of the All-Russian Congress of Peasants’ Delegates.”