American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-09-12
RUSSIA.

at Moscow, on The accession Of the Emperor Nicho.
las 1t occupies seven columns and hall OF the
Gazette. and is therefore entirely too long for re
publication but, as il consists OF proix details OF
testimony, confessions, often contradictory and con
Hctine, Of the prominent individuals arrested, mueh
repetition and much irrelevant matter; we WIN DC
able to CLEAN from il, in a comparatively small com.
pass, such facts ss appear well established, ano "'
be generally interesting.
| In the year 1876 some young men who had been
engaged in the campaigns OF 8l4 and 1885, :etur-
ned to ST. Petersburg from abroad, and conceived
the idea Of establishing. in their own country secret
societies similar to those which then existed and
probably now exist, in Germany. Alter various
Or parations they succeeded in organizing, in FEB
ruary 1917, association under the name oil " Ihe
Union of Safety; or the true and taithtut Sons %
the Country" The leading members were mill
tary officers OF high standing, and several princess
whose barbarous Russian names it is unnecessary
here TO repeat. Proseytes were in6usriously sought
and obtained. Every new candidate tor member
ship was required 10 take oath to preserve, With
Invioeblc secrecy, all things which should be conn
ded to him. even when his opinions and views should
no. accord with those Of the society ard TO submit
TO tho decisions OF the higher and directing class OF
members, raed JoynrS. The admission was ac-
companied with various solemn ceremonies.
The object Of the society was 9 change in the
OF the members an i'll understood love Of country"
as they now pentently pronounce it. According
TO the line OF policy adopted, the recruits sought and
obtained were from among men OF high distinction,
both Tor raik and talents, and 10 short time the
numbers Of the society were greatly augmented.
Branches were established, under the title OF Uirec
tions, 10 different parts OF the empire. They dis
cussed at their meetings the means of promoting the
good Of their country. and OF furtherng the accom-
/ - II I,xl h he tnll
means 10 be employed, much difference OF opinion
prevailed Some afterwards manifested an incon
sisency with the views, and dissppri baton OF the
laws Of The society; and lukewarmness succee
ded, in which the ultimate design seemed 10 be for
gotten.
Some OF the leaders, however, KEEP, q steady eye
to this design; and intelligence real or eigned
ing received, that g the emperor Alexander, having
formed intention OF restoring TO Poland all the
provinces conquered by Russia and foreseeing on
the part OF the Russians, dlscontent, and oppo
silion thought OF retiring TO Warsaw with all his
and leaving the country prey OF troubles and
anarchy" they took advantage ot the occasion again
to direct the views Of the society TO change in the
subsisng order Of things. Absurd as the above in
tegence was, II had great effect on he members,
and the assassination Of the emperor was suggested
as an object Of urgent necessity One OF the mem
hers even volunteered 10 perform the fatal task but
side, alton OF the subject, il thought 10 be pre-.
mature and i'll advised, though the idea, as fir as
concerned both him and his family, was not abandon
ed.
A new organization OF the society now took place.
II declared, in The Constitution that no intcn-
tons inimical to the Government, were hsrbored,
and that The society pursued their labors in secret,
only to avoid the perverted construction. OF msevo-
lence and hatred. The members divided them
l H.. E~.t 49,
ject philanthropy and benevolence, public and pri
ate. The second had for its object intellectual aod
moral education, the establishment Of seminsries
and co.operation in the instruction nf youth. To
the members Of this branch was conhded the inspec
ton oil all schools The third had Tor its object 10
watch over the tribunals. Its memhers engaged
themselves not to refuse any judicial appointment
that should be offered TO fulfil heir duties with zeal
and e1acncss, to sncoui age persons OF integrity
noyed about the courts Of justice and 10 dcnouncc
10 the Government those who betrayed their trust.
The members Of the fourth branch were 10 devote
themselves to political economy, to encourage in
dustry, 20 consolidate public credit, and to oppose
monopohes. The constitution was so framed. how
ever, 10 preserve all the di ection OF the socely
and the exertlon OF lis powers, in the hands Of The
! primitive founders. The names OF the members
who had merted well Of the association, we're in.
scrbed in = book of honor,r and those Of members
who had been expelled. in F." book of gnorniuy."
They had the right Of leaving the association, but
were bound 10 secresy every thing which bad
been learned in il. Every member was required TO
give to The common fund the twenty fifth part Of his
annual income, but this regulation, it is said, was
little observed.
1 he head society, or that styled the g Central Di-
rection,' was established at Petersburg and suhor-
dlnaie Directions we're scattered all over the EN-.
pire. The Commission Of Inquiry state that they
have learned by reports, though the confessions Of
The accused do mol bear out the information, that
cheap journal to be established for the purpose
Of acting on public opinion, that songs and carica
lures we're TO be circulated, and that for those pur
poses, lithographc press was 10 be established nn