Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-05-04

nothing. They believed that civiliza
ton could be improvised in genera
don; that constitutional government
would at once elevate the Russian ser
and serf-like noble to the rank in which
they had seen the people stand who had
for generations been free from absolute
despotism., They could not refrain from
giving some expression to their new
ideas. The grim old generals who had
grown grey in the service of despotism
looked askance upon the advocates o.
these new ideas. "Rather," said one o.
them, ethan suffer these men to re-entel
Russia, would, were / the Emperor
throw them into the Baltic" In des.
potic state conspiracy is the only means
of reform. These hot-headed young
men organized vast association for the
purpose of subverting the Imperial
throne. The army furnished almost the
whole body of conspirators, and the as
sociation naturally divided itself into
two separate though affiliated societies,
corresponding to the northern and south
ern divisions of the army. The time fol
the outbreak had been more than once
fixed, and then postponed. 1t was al
length decided that it should take place
simultaneously in the north and the
south, during the month of May, 1925.
The members of these associations
were for the most part officers of the
army of the lower grades. The greater
number of them were young and enthu-
siastic, with more zeal and enthusiasm
than frmness and endurance. Joined
with them were some desperadoes ready
for any hazardous enterprise, together
with a few of those stern self-deter-
mined men, at once reflective and zeal
OTIS, whom nature has marked out as
revolutionists Atthe head of the revo-
luton of the south was Colonel Paul
Pestel, a slight young man of some
thirty years of age, of consummate cum
ming, great activity, perseverance, elo-
quence, and boundless ambition He
was a German by descent and education;
and had served with credit in the cam
paign of Paris. Besides him the two
most prominent leaders were two broth
ers Nouravieff; young men of polished
education and refined tastes, but desti-
tute of that practical sense which per-
ceives the fitness of time and occasion.
Far more important, however, was
the association of the north, the seat Of
whose operations was St. Petersburg
The heads OF this society were the
Princes Troubetzkoi and Oblonsky, and
Conrad Ryleieff. In Russia the title of
prince does not necessarily involve any
with the Imperial family, nor
even any very exalted rank or great
wealth. But the two chiefs who bore
that title, though of slender means,
were highly connected. To Troubetzkoi,
in consideration of the relationship in
which he stood to various personages of
influence, the nominal headship of the
conspiracy was intrusted. When the
broke out, he was to be
named dictator. He was fiery and en-
but as the sequel proved, ut
.erly wanting in frmness and determi-
nation. This was more than suspected
by some of his confederates- Have
we not an admirable chief p asked Ry-
eieff. at one of their meetings. tYes,
n height" 7" sneeringly replied, another,
n allusion to Troubetzkoi's commanding
stature. ....-.. .---. ... ..-.. ... 1
But the real heart and soul of the
was Conrad Ryleieff, who
wanted but to have been cast upon hap
bier times and less hopeless enter
Prise, to have ranked among great men.
Had he lived in England during the time
If the Commonwealth, he would have
AIKEN his place among the staunchest of
he regieides who brought their king to
he scaffold. Had be been a French
nan of the revolution, he would have
aiken his post among those old republic
,ans who forswore Napoleon when he
abandoned democratic principles. In
,ur own country he would have won a
foremost place among those who pro-
claimed the universal equality of men.
He was democrat from principle,
devoted admirer of the Constitution of
he United States, yet willing, for the
ime, to assist maintaining constitu-
ional monarchy in Russia. He held
lis position in the conspiracy by sheer
lint of talent and indomitable will.
he was neither high born nor wealthy,
He had entered the army, but retired at
IN early age with no higher rank than
hat of lieutenant. For while he
leld the unsalaried office of secretary to
he criminal tribunal of st. Petersburg.
he maintained himself and family by
lcting as secretary to commercial as
called the American Compa-
ly.h He was moreover an enthusiast
md poet, and under happier auspices
night have placed his name high, on the
list Of those few men who have adorned
Russian literature. He seems to have |
lad presentiment that his career would
md on the scaffold. Q.tWell do j know"
so runs one of his poemsT"Well do
know that gulf is yawning to ,swal-
ow up the first who rises against ma
ions oppressors. Fate has chosen me.
But, tell me, in what country, in what
ige, has independence been won without
rictims? / shall die for the country of
ny birth. l know it, / feel it, and it is
With Joy that l bless my approaching