(To enable readers to understand the context and significance of
the debate we have included this introduction, which was written
on behalf of the Cork Workers’ Club for their pamphlet edition
of the dispute.) Although the controversy between James Connolly
and Daniel DeLeon occurred outside Ireland, its inclusion as a
booklet in this series is justified because it gives us a
clearer insight into the views of Connolly on the subjects
discussed than has hitherto been available. The controversy,
which took place shortly after Connolly’s arrival in the United
States, makes clear that his position on the questions involved
was of long standing. In this sense it is of particular value to
an understanding of some of the principles and policies which
guided the Irish Socialist Republican Party under his leadership
from 1896 to his departure for the U.S. in September 1903.
Shortly after Connolly arrived in the U.S. where he joined the
Socialist Labour Party, he became involved in a dispute with the
party leader Danie