The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-21


had laid bare the rottcnness Of the old sys-
ten, and the chronic bankruptcy OF the
monarchy, may be compared to maya
zine of dynamite. 1t was reserved Tor
HEREIN, In his newspaper, the kotokot,
printed in London, in tho Russian lam
guage. TO supply the necessary friction.
SO immediate and formidable was thecom-
motion excited by this sheet, which gave
voice TO the popular desperation, and so
futile were the attempts to thwart its cir
cnlation by precautions and penalties, that
as early as 1853 copies were Struggled
across the frontier by tens of thousands.
were read, re-read, transcribed by hand,
and disseminated through all ranks Of So
clety, while contributions ana communica-
tions were forwarded from every quarter,
not excepting the private cabinet of tho
Car, who not seldom was obliged TO mod
fly his measures in consequence Of the Ko-
lokops disclosures. The conservation of his
indomitable industry to the exposure of
corruption and incapacity, the good sense
Of his earlier suggestions, and the rare
ability Of his argumentativc discussions,
enabled IIEK2EN to exert pressure which
the vested interests ana rooted principles
of centuries were Dowerless to resist. II II
were reasonable TO credit single indi-
vidual with the organic transformation of
n nation, his countrymcn might thank
ALEXANDER UERzEN that the abolition of
serfdom, vouchsafed by the timid good
nature of the sovereign, did not remain
sterile Isolated fact but gave tho signal
for comprehensive renovation throughout
the functions of political and civil order
and eliminated with substantial revolu-
ton in the conditions of Russian society.
Had tho role OF the KotOkol been linn
tied TO the advocacy OF such fundamental
reforms and constitutional guarantees as
the dynasty ana conservative classes could
concede without decentralization, IL might
have escaped some grave responsibilities,
aud would probably have kept, unchal-
lenged, the spokcsmanship of public opin-
ion. For time, indeed, tseemcd that the
extravaganza and violence of the kolokol
found an echo throughout the empire, and
that its most impracticable schemes would
be- dictated by Unpopular will Already in
1858 the Government had Withdrawn to n
large extent the restrictions on the press,
in the hope OF provoking some d.
vision OF sentiment. but the new jour
nails gave no countcnance TO moder-
ate counscls, and only contributed 20 swell
the influence Of n writer whom they natur-
ally regarded as their liberator At last
II BRZES distinctly declared that the purin-
cation and reconstruction of the State
must be committed to the Russian people,
and that all compromise with the house Of
RoNANoFF must end. Such celebrations
logically gave rise to those socialistc aflili-
atious which under the guise OF "ohess
clubs and Sunday schools, soon honey
comhed the metropolis, and finally, in the
summer Of 1859, TO the vast incendinry con-
hagration which filed ~. Petersburg with
CONSERVATION ana seemed to threaten
social upheaval analogous to that which
subsequently in Paris developed the cx-
ccsses Of the Commune
1t was ut this moment that the Govern
ment was rescued from dangerous compli-
| cations, and a salutary reaction of opinion
| determined, by the vehement protest ofan-
| other Independent journalist, whose name
ranks hardly second to HERzEN's in the
history of the Russian press: MICHAEL
| kATKow, formerly professor nj the Univer-
sity OF Moscow. Under the traditional
system Of repression, the enlightened, fear
| les spirit Of his lectures had subjected
him to vexatious persecution, and he
seized the opportunity afforded by the
change of policy which followed the
| Crimean war 10 appeal 10 wider audi
ence. He first founded monthly re-
view, devoted 10 politics, social science,
and literature-the RussM VCSstnik-a
periodical which has no rival in Russia,
and which IN respect of range. ability, and
tone may ttly be compared with the Relc
DIES DCuI Mondss. or the best Of the Eng
| lish quarterlios. From the outset the con-
| trolling aim OF this review, while attack
| ing with vigor the abuses Of the existing
system, was to ventllate questions of prac-
teal utility, 10 indicate the sources of
| solid, fruitful education, TO incorporate
the new activity Of Russia with the gem
eral movement Of human intelligence, and
to discourage the Utopian dream of erect
| ing a Pan-Slavic world on the ruins OF
| European society. The sagacity and
breadth Of view, the dignity and modera-
ton which the Moscow editor evinced in
these discussions, speedily secured him an
immense influence. He associated himself
with another professor Of the same Uni
|
and determined, when the communistc
tendencies of ST. Petersburg eliminated
in riot and arson, TO break abruptly with
the radical faction and denounce HERzEN
and tho kolokol without reserve.
The ultimate result Of this step was the
birth Of liberal, constitutional party.
Not that the Kolokol was discredited in a
day, or that the name Of ALEXANDER HER
ZEN has ceased to be potent with that
strong body which styles itself "Young
Russia But from the moment when the
name of the radical leader was allowed to
be mentioned IN print, the spell OF his
clandestine eloQucncc was broken, and
the weight Of his indubitable services
could be calmly balanced with his intern
perate ana incendiary doctrines. The
good faith at all events Of the Moscow edi-
tors was not questioned; and when to their
other levers Of opinion they added tho
most powerful organ Of Central Russia
the MoScou GdzcttC-it was manifest that
n spirit of cOncihation, and conteutment