, 1879-05-03

IS. THE GROWTH OF NIHlL1Sm.
The New York Herald has recently printed
a valuable contribution to the literature Of
Nihi1ism, which goes to show that this
formidable agency Of revolution is not 80
recent in its origin as has been generally
supposed. On the other hand, it would
appear from the Herald's compilation Of facts
that this enemy Of the Russian Government
is already half century old, though never go
active as now.
The first secret society was formed in 1925,
and was organized with the distinctive
purpose of substituting constitutional gov
eminent for personal despotism. It vas not
long before it came in collision with the
Government, and on. the 1eth Of December
Of TINT year hundreds paid the penalty Of
revolution with their blood in the streets Of
st. Petersburg, while all the members Of
the Society who were known were either
hanged OK banished to Siberia, The fearful
revenge Of the Government, however, only
scotched it. It next came to the surface in
London, where an organ called the
Bell, closely resembling RooHEFoRr's Lam
tcrne, was established BY the revolutioniss
HEnrzES, who advocated the destruction Of
every member Of the Royal family, the titled
aristocracy, and the priests, ehe equal divis-
ion OF landed property, and popular repre-
sentation: Notwithstanding the efforts of
the Government to prevent it, his paper
gained wide circulation in Russia, and SYM
pathizers with his doctrine appeared in all
ranks Of society. New organizations were
formed advocating his ideas, and two papers
appeared in Russia-the SoDrem6innik and
the Rushoic Sloico-which We're devoted to
more liberal form Of Government. They
did not last long; however; as their principal
writer's were speedily sent to Siberia. Be-
tween 1858 and 1870 the press had more i'm
munity, and the new movement rapidly
gained ground, and women engaged IN it
even more zealously than the men, not only
working as missionaries in the cause OF
more liberal Government, but demanding for
themselves the same rights as men.
Wealtby women engaged in menia work.
P1ncesses taught peasants. They taught the
schools and studied the professions, espe-
cially that Of medicine, and on the 1na1riage
question they took the radical ground Of ig-
noring it altogether aud becoming wives
without any formality of ceremony. The
term '' NihiIist was first applied to them in
1864 by q writer who taunted them with
in nothing They accepted the
epithet and have retained it ever since. The !
has made its most rapid growth !
since 1870. and in the past nine years has !
spread into the army, official circles, the
church, the schools and universities, and all !
classes Of men and women, the latter as !
rule being enthusiastic to degrae that treads ]
on fanaticism. Vera SAssUucH is only @ !
type of hundreds Of others. The young
girls in the schools are often the most zeal |
GUS missionaries in the work Of Nililistic ]
reform.
Speaking of the details of the organization,
The Herald states that its members are organ
zed into circles, and as soon as circle num-
oers sixty members it is subdivided into ten !
:ircles of si1 persons each. Each circle has
IN agent who collects regular contributions
rom the members, which are applied to the
purchase Of arms and the spread of ideas.
Membership is not easily obtained. 4 can
lidate has to bring recommendations Of
rustworthiness, and, after these have been
Investigated, he is voted for in full nesting.
t only requires two votes to reject him, and
satisfactory evidence Of disqualification is
one vote will do the work. The
ath which is taken is one Of unusual sever
y. The candidate swears as follows:
'*1 4. B., do solemnly. before the altar OF my
lother country, promise and swear that will
ever disclose, under penalty OF death, any Of the |
ecrets Of the Russian National Secret Society,"
efore any agent Of the tyrannical Russian Govern
lent, haviu. the czar at its head, or my one
HON do not actually know to be member of |
Ills Society; that will sacrifice my life and all |
Int is sacred to me in the struggle against the
oodthirsty tyrants and pppressors OF the -eussia.
eop1e: that will obey and execute every mani |
ous decision Of the circle, without hesitation, !
ling ready. to sacrifice my life, and regard
IS OF any personal danger I may en-
'untcr in 50 doing. I know that We
ust be ready 10 fight in the name Of the liberty OF
c Russtan people when the moment OF arising !
lall arrive and the Erand sign be given calling all
arrns. l do solemnly swear that will resist,
case Of an attempt to arrest me OF any member
the Society by the Government agents, with !
hatever weapon is at my disposal at the moment, I
ithout fear or regard for personal consequences;
at will not recommend any new member with
1t the knowledge that he is true friend of the
'pressed Russian people; that from the moment
become member OF this Secret National Rus
IN Society regard myself as the swosn enemy
the Russian despotical Government and begin :
act against 1t BY every means can command" 4
Such is the terrible secret agency with /
hlch the Russian Government has to deal, i
i'd the very magnitude Of its preparations
ows that the whole Empire must be honey
mbed with it. If Nihilism were confined G
one city, like st. Petersburg, for instance, !:
o Government, through its secret methods !.
espionage, would undoubtedly stamp it II
1t; butwhen it calls upon its experienced q
enerals and places them in command of Il
9 various centres with absolute power, and 4
olares martial law all over the Empire, it D
confession that the enemy with which (
grapples is powerful one. It is beyond !.
e reach of it's police and its secret agents, s
le severity Of the measures. which Il
has inaugurated, the character of .
a men whom it has invested with c,