The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-06-21
Nihilism
ITs HIsToRY-ITs UNDERLYING CAUSES AND Re
MARKABLE GROWTH.

NARKABLE GROWTH.
1t has generally been supposed that Nihilism
is of comparatively recent origin. An elaborate
article on the history of the movement in the
New York Herald shows that while this is true
as regards its present name, it has in fact existed
many years.
Previous to the accession Of Emperor Nicholas
l., in 1925, free ideas had Il foothold in Russia,
and a secret society, whose object was to dethrone
the Emperor and substitute Il constitutional
Government, with Nicholas's elder brother as its
head, afterwards known as the Decaboisty or
after the month in which
a revolution occurred ut ST. Petersburg, in 1926
many members. On that terrible
day, December 10th, the principal streets were
red with the blood OF the victims. The leaders
and members of the society who were known
were either hanged or banished to Siberia.
Hundreds, however, were unsupported and others
escaped, all of whom afterwards were diligently
employed in prOpagating their theories.
Before long a journal called K0kokOl or % Bell"
devoted TO the movement. was established in
London, of which the proprietor and editor was
the famous red revolutionist, Hertzen. The
editors ideas were exalted, and possessed of
great powers OF language he soon acquired a
wonderful influence over the Russian youth.
His journal was secretly read and hidden away
as though it were a treasure of Incalculable value.
Hertzen published a number of papers enti-
tied : Letters from This Side" in which were
given minute accounts of the most secret affairs
VI lHC NNOhtl hulCilI bhA vi Xix d anu Ills lun-
lily. The editor accompanied them with his views
and hopes of the future of Russia. These letters
are said to be true IN their statements of the
smallest details, and on that account are valua-
BILE to historians. Hertzen desired to bring about
Il representation of the people, to destroy every
member of the Cars family, the titled aristocracy
and the priests, and to make an equal division OF
all lands.
He had sympathizers and agents in all circles
of society, from the highest official to that of the
b,nnhlasF raaGonF The I,oldpaca Of HE rr,E;.-s
everywhere promulgated fascinated readers, and
societies with such names as : Young Russia s"
Land and Freedom" rapidly sprung up, all
working IN harmony with those under his
direction. These gradually advanced in liberal
views of matters of government, and adopted
ideas that were more in accord with the new era
Of which they believed they saw the dawn.
These ideas first found expression in the SOrre-
meinnik and RuSkOte SEoiUO, two popular journals
that were suppressed about ten years ago, and
the writers sentenced to hard labor in the mines
of Siberia. Among these were Czernysheyski,
author of What To DO, and Mikhailof, a poet.
Other Nihilist leaders of that time were Antono-
vich, Dobnoluboff, Pissureff and Nitehauff. The
last was in 1870 given up by Switzerland to be
tried for the murder OF Ivanoff, a Nihilist who
betrayed the secrets of the organization.
Between 1858 and 1872 the press enjoyed COM
paratiye freedom, which the Nihilists used to
their advantage. The women became as en-
thusiastic missionaries and tract distributors as
were the men. lue mOIe easily l eulOTC6 luelE
theories, and to show to what extent they were
willing TO sacrifice for the cause. many OF them
cut off their hair, dressed themselves as peasants,
and engaged in the most mental employment. \
wealthy Princess named Tombooskoie, who
moved in court circles, was found instructing
peasant washerwomen. Some of them studied
successfully and became doctors of medicine.
They declared themselves dissatisfied with the
existing position of women-that of a well
dressed doll-and demanded the rights which
II a.. $1,000
full members of society. They ignored the mar
rage ceremony and became wives without the
performance of any legal formality.
y series of letters under the title of Confess
7 SiOns of a NeIC Generation IN Russia were pub
lished in 1864, in which the writer for the first
time applied TO the representatives of new ideas
the name Nihilists, derived from nihil, the Latin
word meaning nothing" and the name given
in opprobrium has ever since been retained, and
has become a terror to all in authority.
Since 1870 their number has increased with
astonishing rapidity. 1t is said that in the
schools even the girls have nearly all become con-
verts, and no restrictions or prosecutions have
been able to shake their fidelity.
The members are organized into circles, which
when the number reaches sixty, are subdivided
into ten circles OF six persons each. By so doing,
if discovered by the police, only a few are likely
arrested. These circles meet ostensibly for social
purposes merely, but they seek to secure converts
from every class of society-ofhcers, common
soldiers, the middle class and peasantry. The
mystery which envelopes the movement doubtless
induces many to become members who otherwise
would not.
The members make periodical contributions OF
money as they are able, which is used for pur-
chasing arms and the propagation of Nihilistic
ideas. Each circle sends out an armed agent for
this purpose. 1t is said that in every large town
OF city there are so many circles that If the Gov
eminent really knew the number 1t would be
more seriously alarmed than it is.
Anybody and everybody are not admitted us
members. Candidates must be recommended as
entirely trustworthy, upon whom reliance under
any circumstances can be placed. The candidate,
after satisfactory Investigations, Is voted for IN
full meeting, and two votes will reject. In fact,
if satisfactory evidence of disqualification is pre-
scented, one vote will reject. When admitted, the
candidate takes the following obligation or oath
l, A. B., do s~olemnly, before the altar of my
mother country, promise and swear that L viii
never disclose, under penalty of death, any OF the
secrets of the 80 Russian National Secret Society,"
before any agent of the tyrannical Russian Gov
erpmeut. having the Car at its head, or any ont