The New York herald., 1879-08-09
NIHILISM CRITICISED.
A REPLY FROM ST. PETERSBURG LADY TO THE
LETTER OF RUSSIAN NIHrIIsT.

A REPLY FROM A ST. PETERSBURG LADY TO THE
LETTER OF A RUSSIAN NIuIIIsT.
ST. PErEssBrRa, July 81. 1879.
To THE EDITOR THE HERALD
l have been reading letter signed by a Russian
Nihlist published in your great journal on the I'd of
July, and Russian naturally feel very indignant
Since have read the 'Nihist" letter deem it my
duty TO correct at least OF the most fagrant
untruths put forward by him. because they insult
the whole Russian nation and represent the Russian
women in the most unfavorable light, being will
ing accoinplices in murder, incendiarism and rob-
berry 1t is true that Russian women have always
taken a warm interest in the activity Of their
countrymen. especially when the well being
of all classes OF sufferers was concerned.
But, like other in the world. Russian
women are only impulsive when their generosity
is roused Vera Zszoulitch for instance who went
to General Trepof the chief Of the Third Section in
St. Petersburg. and shot ut him at his own palace in
broad daylight. for she indignant at the
which reached her about Trepof having ordered one
of the political criminals to be fogged in prison At
the time of the conspiracy of the Decabrists dur
ing the reign of Alexander T. the promoters of the
movement. who tried to bring about the liberation
of the serfs and other most humane measures. were
helped by the poblest and most enlightened women
of the time-women who had stood by them all the
time and followed them to Siberia of their free
will. Some ten fifteen years there were also
honest men who fostered the nhism of that period:
their principles. although impracticable were pure.
aud they free from any consideration rs to
their own pecuniary interests ana again. there were
many women who took up their cause and suffered
WHAT ARE THE sInLIsr woMENs
But what the Russian nihilists OF the present
time apart from the young. hot-headed students.
who Join the party, thinking in their mex
perience that they about to raise the burden of
the nation? As tar can judge them from their
deeds they are rather the fanatics of idea.
whether good or bad. They lead life of idleness
threatening them with murder in case of refusal.
destroying by fire the property of the working
classes, making the whole nation suffer for their
folly and spending all their time in disseminating
lies. knowing that all their wants will be supplied
out of the capital of the Secret Society without their
working for living at all.
Who are, then. the women which join now the
ranks of these Nihilists. and why not do they
else the innate faculty OF every woman hunanize
and ennoble the aspirations OF men? AS far
many women were brought before the court. the
female Nihilists may be divided into two distinct
groups. The greater part of them had been induced
to JOIN the nihliss by their vanity which failed
secure q more profitable market for its display.
Such women are courageous. but ignorant.
the most part half educated and totally unfit
to be the leaders among their countrymen, the
ns &e
omen of the first category to be self-conceited,
rude, constantly trying to initiate their masculine
npanions, aud the consequence is that the gray
often the better horse. so that of
although Ridiculous they great helps to the
men of the party. The Nhstic ladies. belonging TO
the other category, the dupes of their teachers
Blinded by stupid partality for the individuality Of
these prophets OF the religion they take every
thing told them gospel truth, having science
their with which to verify the assertions put
forward by the men. All the respectable ladies
brought forward example by the Russian
| Nihilist" might be added to either the
spoken of Mines. Philosopher and Botkin only
play part dictated to them by their vanity. As to
theyoung Countess panin everybody here knows that
she is the mistress of farm bailf Nihilist,
who makes her do all he wants. With the exception
of the Miles. Armfeld and Herzfeld, all the other
women mentioned by the Russian Nihilist" never
did belong to good society and were. it were from
childhood upward trained to be ready to join in any
plot for "womens rights. in the Nhiiistc sense Of
THE STUDENTS RIOTS.
As to the other assertions contain cd in the letter
of the .Russan Nihilist will only say that a. the
time Of the students riots last winter, not 800 OF
them were imprisoned in the fortress OF Peter and
Paul, but thirty -seven not $50 taken to the
Military any other hospital. bur fve. two Of
whom. indeed hurt by the bayonsts OF the sol
in the struggle which took place narrow space.
Such are the figures. instead OF the 200 students
as stated by the author of the letter. As
to his assertions concerning moses and cut
off by swords in broad daylighta fact lie said. wit
messed by many hundreds of persons-th this is
truth and the greatest nonsense which 1t would
not be worth while for any person to
grievously affect the reputation of every Rus
sian who loves his own people and who
is proud to belong to his natiou. What must foreign
think Of population that allows pocesoficials
or soldiers to cut off the noses and ears OF their
fellow townsmen in broad daylight. and 'in the
presence OF hundreds OF passers-by?" II such be
the fact happily nothing occurred here at all
approaching it,, would be forced to acknow-
edge that population that could allow anybody to
do such thing without tearing him to pieces
the spot is inferior to the brute and must be unable
to profit by any benefit afforded to it by modern
civilization and unworthy, therefore, of the SYM
pathies of any civilized nation in the world.
A RUSSIAN LADY.