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From International Socialism, No.66, February 1974, p.29.
Transcribed & marked up by Einde O’Callaghan for ETOL.
James Connolly: Selected Writings
Edited by P. Berresford Ellis
Pelican Books, 50p.
THERE ARE sure signs of the birth of a Connelly ‘industry’, with various ‘authorities’, some recognised as such and some merely self-appointed, rushing to collate and edit the ‘great man’s’ writings. Berresford Ellis’ entry into this market is, fortunately, one of the better class of examples. He presents a broad but very well organised selection of Connolly’s writings, from the famous essay on Labour, Nationality and Religion, through smaller pieces on Industrial Unionism, Imperialism, Revolutionary Warfare and Partition, ending with a rousing selection from the Songs of Freedom.
The editor’s introduction is, however, disappointing. It is virtually a re-hash of what he had to say in his own book on the history of the Irish working class, making extensive use of Lenin, Plekhanov, Trotsky and Marx to prove or disprove particular points. It seems that, just like quite a few other ‘authorities’, Berresford Ellis is of the opinion that to peddle a selection of quotations from the giants of marxist thought is sufficient to turn purely descriptive history into a total marxist analysis. He’s wrong in that, and that’s what is wrong with the introduction.
Incidentally, Berresford Ellis thinks that the section on Revolutionary Warfare is of great importance and will help to destroy the ‘popularly stated’ myth that ‘Connolly believed that British troops would not use artillery in Dublin because capitalists would hesitate to destroy capitalist property’. He’s absolutely right here; but the myth is broadcast on two instances in A History of the Irish Working Class (on p.217 and p.229, to be precise) which was written by none other than Berresford Ellis himself. Still, perhaps he intends to revise it later.
But, back to Connolly’s writings. The section on Revolutionary Warfare is indeed very important in a much broader sense than that of purely military tactics. The essay on Physical Force in Irish Politics (written in 1899) provides an excellent starting point for a sound political analysis of the Irish Republican movement, either fraction.
‘Every revolutionary effort in Ireland has drawn the bulk of its adherents from the ranks of the disappointed followers of defeated constitutional movements.’
But, and this to Connolly is critically important,
‘their conception of what constitutes freedom was in no sense changed or revolutionised; they still believe in the political form of freedom which had been their ideal in their constitutional days.’
And then, a classic statement of Connolly’s position on the ‘immense differences between the Socialist Republicans and our friends the physical force men’.
‘The latter, by stifling all discussions of principles, earn the fleeting and passive commendation of the unthinking multitude; the former, by insisting upon a thorough understanding of their basic principles, do not readily attract the multitude, but do attract and hold the more thoughtful amongst them. It is the difference betwixt a mob in revolt and an army in preparation.’ (My emphasis)
None of this gives the total answer but it is the starting point, the only starting point for socialists, in or out of the Republican movement, for an adequate historical analysis of the political development of Irish republicanism.
Certainly, this is an excellent selection of Connolly’s writings. Berresford Ellis has done a grand job of editing. It’s cheap at the price. Buy it.
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Last updated on 8.3.2008