River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-06-12
NIHlLIsM IN RUSSIA.

New York Special to Chicago Tribune.l
The Hon. Edwin ". Stougbton, minister
to Russia, arrived in this city on the same
steamer which brought the Duke of Argyle.
He is to stay here few days and then 60 to
Washington. A reporter of the Tribune
was favored with deeply interesting state
ment of the condition of Russia at this
| time, with special regard to the nihilistic
| troubles. Mr.. Stoughton said that not only
were the reports of these troubles grossly ex-
aggerated, but that nearly every material
statemant made about them was false. Cor
respondents whose letters were dated from
Russia related stories and spread reports
which he, in some cases, knew were false,
and in others had reliable information to
that effect.
When he left st. Petersburg the city was
as tranquil as New York, and not then diff
| ferent from what it usually was. II was a
great error to suppose that nihilists were
numerous, or had extensive organization. 1t
was not true that the Russian people were
deeply infected with nihilism that whole
troops of students has been arrested by the
police and sent off to Siberia, or tortured in
dungeons: that whole regiments of the army.
with the officers, were tainted; or that any
women of responsibility had been found
among the nihilists. Mr.. Stoughton declar-
ed that statements made to this effect were
entirely false. few miscreants, he said,
had banded together for plumber and
murder. They had no other programme.
but they were only few as compared With
the body of the people. What thcy wanted
he had never been able to find out, though
he had taken particular pains to inquire.
There was vague talk about demand
ing reform, but when one tried to discover
what is the reform demanded he was unable
SO to do. 1t seemed that they had no other
object than universal distinctions; no other
method than the use of the knife. The
great body of the Russian people, as ne had
taken pains to inform himself, were en-
tirely contented with their government, sat
isfet aud loyal, devotedly attached to the
emperor. Mr.. Stoughton did not believe
the recent attempt on the emperor's life
was part of an organized plan of the nihil-
lists. "You saw" he added, 'what the en-
porer did after the attempt upon him. He
drove unattended in an open carriage to
church. He drives about all the time unat-
tended, not even footman with him. Do
you think he could do this with safety if
these nihilists had any organization? Mr..
Stoughton added that the emperor WIS
man who deserved this affection, for he
was one of the kindest, most unas-
Stunning and lovable men in the world. The
family life of the imperial household was
model of domestic happiness. 30 far from
the emperor wishing to repress any move
meIts for progress IN the government, ms
feelings were all the other way. lis 1t pos
sible people can believe this noble-hearted
man born tyrsnt, when, at the risk OF MS
throne, he, from the deepest religious con-
victions of its rightfulness, emanelpated
42,000,000 of serfs. without shedding drop
of blood? Furthermore, know the emperor
the government of Russia) rs desifous OF
governing through representative nstitu-
tions. This change must of necessity be
made slowly, but it will be done.
limited form of representation and suf-
frage will be adopted as soon as
il can be with safety. Mr.
Stoughton pointed out that by the treaty OF
San Stefano, which the emperor had made
with Turkey, the Bulgarians were to have a
broad system of suffrage. approaching unl,
versal suffrage, and suggested it would GER
tainIv be extraordinary for an emperor who
onposed such a lem for his own people TO
set mn an example for them in country
richt on his own border. As regarded the
seyere police measures now being taken
AGAINST The nihIIists, ne said the government
Is engaged in an attempt to discover these
cnnsnirators. and the respectable, decent
peopIe of the whole country were heartily
with him in the effort But the &C
commits of this we're exaggerated alb
snrilv. and sometimes iudicrously AS e
porters being placed 81 he doors OF all
houses in the city as detectives, he said IN
81. Petersburg the houses, being built IN
fIats. had porters to each, as in Paris, who
had general charge ten. Gourkho ordered
the porters to report to him each day who
nasse5 in and ont. The order was general, /
but it was laughabla TO suppose respectable
people felt themselves concerned by i, he