The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1826-09-19

4
form the fatal task; but ON the remon-
STRANGE of some, and general re-conside-
ration of the subject, it was thought to b.,
premature and ill-advised, though the idea
as far as it concerned both him and his
! family, was not abandoned.
A new organization of the society now
took place. 1t was declared in the consti-
tuition that no intentions inimical to the
government were harbored, and that the
society pursued their labours in secret, only
to avoid the perverted constructions of ma
levolence and hatred. The members di-
vided themselves into four branches. The
first had for its object philanthropy and be-
nevolence, public and private. The sec
ond had for its object intellectual and NOR
al education, the establishment of semina-
ries, and cooperation in the instruction OF
youth. To the members Of this branch
was confded the inspection of all schools.
The third had for its object to watch over
the tribunals. Its members engaged them
selves not to refuse any judicial appoint
ment that should be offered, to fulfil their
duties with zeal and exactness, to encour-
age persons, of integrity employed about
the Courts of justice, and to denounce to
the government those who betrayed their
trust. The members of the fourth branch
were to devote themselves to political e.
economy, to encourage industry, to CONSOLE
date public credit, and to oppose monopo-
lies. The constitution was so framed,
however, as to preserve all the direction of
the society, and the exertion of its pow
ers, into the hands of the primitive foun-
ders. The names of the members who
had merited well of the association were
inscribed in a " book of honour" and those
of members who had been expelled in a
"book of ignominy.'' They had the right
of leaving the association, but were bound
to secresy on every thing which had been
learned in it. Every member was requi-
red to give to the common fund the TWEEN
ty-6fth part of his annual income, but this
regulation, it is said, was little observed.
The head society, or that styled the
" Central Direction," was established at
Petersburgh, and subordinate directions
were scattered all over the empire. The
Commission of Inquiry state that they
have learned by reports, though the con-
LESSONS of the accused do not bear out the
information, that cheap journal was to be
established for the purpose of acting on
public opinion, that songs and caricatures
were to be circulated, and that for those
purposes photographic press was to be es-
tablished out of the country, and print
ing press in some village at distance from
the two capitals.
Discussions afterwards land, as we gath
er, in the year 1920, for the report Is la
mentally deficient in dates) began to take
place upon the forms of government bes
calculated to benefit the people, and most
suited to the condition of Russia and at.
tention being directed to the grand distinc.
tons of government, republican and mon0r-
cAsaI, large majority was found, on di-
vision, to prefer the republican. Repub-
lican ideas afterwards took the lead of mo-
narchical ideas; though many members af-
firmed that if the emperor would only give
Russia good laws, they would continue his
devoted subjects and defenders Debates
of this kind were frequently carried on,
but resulted in the adoption Of no decisive
modes Of proceeding.
AT one of the subsequent meetings, the
assassination of the emperor was spoken
of by member, but repealed by large
majority; by some, from a dislike of the
proposition itself; and by others, from a
doubt of its policy. 1t was, however, af-
forwards adopted, but no attempt was made
to put it in execution, and the society af-
forwards became partially dissolved, and
was going fast to decay from the inactivity
Of its movements. Several of the leading
J members abandoned it, and probably al
! would have done so, but for the persove.
J rance of one Colonel Pestel, bold ano
influential officer, who had long been it,
life and soul. He kept it together for q
time, but disunion, and even dissention pre-.
vailing among its members, it was at last,
in February, 1871, announced by the Cen
trail Direction, that tho society was COM
pletely dissolved, as well ON account of the
Esubsisting divisions, as from fear of ex-
citing the suspicious Of the government
A large number of the members actual,
believed that the association no longer OK,
listed but the active associates, glad BY
! this expedient to get rid Of their pusillani
NOUS brethren, recognized themselves il
1892.
/ The views and proceedingsof the socie.
I ty, thus renovated, and led on by the able
and untiring Pestel, were moro direct ant
active than formerly, and aimed directly tc
the overthrow of the imperial government
lncipient measures, such as gaining over