The New York herald., 1879-08-04
THE HOqBED OF uIHILlSM.
Fourteen Millions of Insurgent Russians
on the Banks Of the Volga.
ATTITUDE OF THE POLES.
The Cossacks En- Masse in League
with the Disaffected.
sAnArov ION the volsa,, July 4. 1879.

SARATov ION the Volga), July t. 1879.
find myself pleasantly domiciled here at Saratov.
in the very hotbed. it were. Of nihsm. My
host, whom will call DIR. Penkovski, is most
genial and intelligent Polish gentleman. afording
far lies in his power every opportunity for
information and observation Saratov. every
schoolboy knows, is fine mercantile city. situated
Oh the Volga. the largest river i'll the Russian En-
pre; but every one does not know-who has not
seen during the season of navigation the shifting
scenes of the Volga-what varied and beautiful
picture it presents Hundreds OF steamships. con-
trolled by private enterprise constantly run. filled
with passengers and freight barks large boats,
laden with fish. rye wheat and unfailng voaka Ia
national and peculiar whiskey). ply back and forth
in countless numbers. Some these provinces lying
about the river. Saratov. Samars &C.. rich in
the product of wheat and require the assistance Of
thousands of reapers from neghboring provinces.
as Penza. Stombow. NiJni-Novgorod and others.
The Volga's banks crowded ut this season with
different classes OF Russians-the working peasantry
SO numerously represented. merchants, business
men of every grade aud calling travellers for pleas
urc and not few Of the aristocracy. have passed
many enchanting days the river. feeling that the
charm Of novelty is lost or my interest les
sened in what see and hear
A Lacy CHAMPION NIHuIsrs
very pleasant society Of the Doctors niece, Amra
Pavlona. who is most accomplished young lady,
and generally accompanies in excursions.
In America she would be accused of being little
strong minded. do not hrd her disagreeably so,
but certainly several degrees removed from those
vapid senseless women. whose aim in lite
would be lost should undisputed power
suddenly veto change in all existing
fashions. or whose affections would fail to
find any other channel the death OF her poodle
whose search for q rich husband were cut short by
sudden visitation OF smallpox. Miss Pavona is
very strong in her sympathes with the nihists.
and fearless in the expression Of them in my pres
ence. in time Of danger she could be de-
pended who would not leave her post. The
Doctor is himself nhlist leader and possessed Of
most accurate knowledge concerning them. In
of our conversations asked of him m-"Doctor. how
| do you count your strength along the Volga?' He
repled:-"Commencing at the White Sea and con-
tinuing along the river where it falls into the
Caspian. the greater part Of the inhabitants what
are termed the old faith men-'Starovier' 'Ros-
| colniki.' They number about ten millions Be-
side these are the Donski Cossacks and the Uraski
Cossacks scattered along the Don and Ural rivers.
who are Of like faith and will number four millions
more-in all fourteen millions of old faith men. All
are enemies Of the Crock Church and Russian gov
| ernment.
|
"And are all those OF whom you speak undivided
| in religious sentimentY'
mo, they are divided into many sects. Still,
they are whole in one great sympathy. They
| equally prosecuted by the government
always up to recent date. Now their religious
liberty recognized; or added the Doctor Thought
fully 'rather their power is recognized. The most
dangerous among those porseeTted are the runners
| agating their faith. They are all able to read and
write. and are very cunning people. They regard
| of the earth. and his chinovniks' (agents)
| wants OF the devil. Every skit.' old faith
monastery, was subject to visits from the local
thorties-namely. 'ispraynik (Chief OF Poce) 'sri-
apshy representative OF persecution for crime) and
others Every was expected to be met by the
'S,arover (pope priest) with large money
| Oh silver dish which dish he also approprates.
II not satisfied with the amount given he inutters
threats of the knout, Sibera and irons and sends
| him back to increase the amount. When the money
is accepted he enters the skt. enforcing its hos
pitality tor few days. He is q drunken guest with
extravagant desires. Their finest and choicest
food are demanded. and even the sacrifice of the
| chastity of their daughters. Such visits the au-
thorities term pleasant visits to the woods;' for
all these 'skits hidden far away from the
world and bad men $50 says the 'Starovier'). Such
was the price, until lately paid for their religious
| liberty.
| 'Of what class OF people these Staroviers,
| Doctor?'
..They are the richest people in Russia. They
assist each other. and they more developed than
| other Russians OF u common class. Another danger
Gus class the Cossacks. They have played their
important role in the history OF Russia Under their
leadership have occurred two revolutions. Alto
| geher the Cossacks. those Of the rich
steppes. have freer air and bolder spirit,
with none of that abject Of humility 80 painful
in the Russian peasant. They have half wild ana
| half cultivated face and manner which impresses
you favorably. They with the bitterest feel
| ings their deprivation of privileges. Thousands
were sent to Central Asia and Siberia two years ago
| and they are ali malcontents and enemies to the
government. waiting for the opportunity to rise and
recover their privileges of old Many have Joined
the Nihilists. will introduce you on some favor
able occasion to young Cossack friend OF minc
shoomiiof, most intelligent and well educated
gentleman, and withal very rich. You shall Judge
yourself little of the existing state Of affairs
among us nihilists. -
True to his word few evenings after this conver-
sation was bidden TO the ~ acious parlor OF my
| host to meet few congenial friends. DIR. Penkov-
ski, lind, is very well known and highly respected
in Saratov. He with his niece Miss Pavlovla, gave
most cordial reception to the half dozen guests.
The "samovar without which. it appears, there
can be no Russian gathering. stood steauiing indus
trously the table, and few delicate cola dishes
| were placed before us. found myself under the
Doctors patronage. not at all subject of oistrust
but recognized sympathizer with the little Nihilist
band.
tion had taken place the subject of the govern
ments recently declared protecton of the starover
religion. .you have faith that it accors this as
| right to enjoy liberty OF conscienceg'
''By no means, replied Father Peroh. Starovier
priest OF most Gcnign aspect II am seventy years
other than that the government found 1t most
cxpedient to take this late step. Since the mid
prosecuted for our faith, sent by thousands to 81
bera placed in irons, and every conceivable cruelty
practiseo upon us. Az every step money mas been
extorted from US on every pretext. While the echo
of the clanking chains or two hundred years still
rings In our ears We are slow to believe that In
fine day all can be changed, and that the Car
spreads us his protecting hands. We do not
believe in his ukase Like the changing clouds
everything bears transtory aspect. and fetters
might be removed with the hrst caprice At one
time the freedom OF the press allowed when
liberty OF thought took tree expansion the liberty
OF the press was crushed out again. Ono of our
sects. the Biegouny, Is stsll not regarded q re-
ligion by the Cars ukasc, because they are con-
sdered most dangerous. aud if taken in the propa-
cation OF their views may be thrown into prison.
! rnE LIBERATION sERFs.
| "When the Czar liberated the serfs IL was but
| placing thcn under another form OF oppression,
worse IL possible than the first. In the hands
OF the aristocracy they could not suffer more
than they do III those OF the chinovniks. who
would sell their last COW tor tenth OF its value
TO pay the taxes. They are beaten by them, and
who thinks the PEASANTS state il more eud,irablo
/ anxx ,vlle