The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-03-25

10. Birth, Rise ana Progress.


Nihilism in Russia was first promul-
gated few years previous to the ac-
cession of Emperor Nicholas in 1895.
The revolution Of that year was caused
by 1T, although the association was pop
ularly known as the Decemberists. /"
from the month in which the riot of st.
Petersburg occurred. The followers of
this organization established paper in
London called the Bel, with the famous
revolutionist, Hertzen, as editor. His
chief object was to bring about a regen-
cration OF the people and to sweep from
the face OF the earth every member of
the Cars family, the titled aristocracy
and the priests, and to make an equal
division Of all lands. He was remarka-
bly, able. and his productions, called
Letters from This Side," produced
profound impression upon the youth of
Russia. He unveiled the secrets of the
Cars household, and painted him in
the most frightful colors. His agents
penetrated the seclusion of the highest
circles OF Russian society and made con-
verts everywhere, but chiefly in the uni
versities. His influence continued uu-
til 1913. He died in Switzerland few
years since an exile on whose head q
price had been set for half century.
Societies under various names sprung
up, all having lertzens views as their
fundamental doctrine. The chief of these
was the "Society of Young Russia"
They went further than Hertzen, and in
their journals, published secretly in Rus
STA, they even denounced the Bel as
"old fogy.. Among the advocates of
In. Il atxtt,1 ILL., la
great poet, and Tgernyshevski, of Naples.
In 1870 the publications were sup
pressed and the writers exiled. But this
mattered little, because their views had
gained SO strong n hold upon the Rus
sian mind that leaders were unnecessary.
In June, 1872, the Gear issued ukase,
giving power to the Minister of the In
terror to punish any undue freedom of
the press, and since that time there has
been an unceasing round of persecution.
In the midst of ii ALL however, the doc
trines of the revolutionists have been
gaining steadily, until they have honey
oombed the Russian empire from end to
end. The name Nihilists was first given
to them in 1864, In q series of letters by
Antovitch, and was Immediately adopt
ed, and is now universally recognized by
revolutionists of every grade.
In 1870 the Nihihsts began to take
decided and important action. Young
men and young ladies, even in the high
est ranks of society, dressed themselves
rs peasants and sought mental employ
ment, going everywhere and submitting
to any sacrifice, that they might propa-
gate their doctrine The ladies have
been especially efficient. They cut off
their long hair, and entered the pro-
LESSONS. Some of them became physi-
clans, and followed recklessly the exam
pies of the men, and they became
equally dangerous to the permanence of
tie empire as the most hagrant among
the revolutionists. Out of their extreme
notions of liberty they adopted form
of free-love, abrogating the rite of mar
riage, and dressing in peculiar forms
somewhat similar to the Bloomer cos
tune of tins country.
The strength of the secret Nihilist
Government, known as the Society for
General Freedom, can hardly be overes-
timated. 1t has its followers in every
circle of society and in every household.
It's organization is marvelously perfect
and compact, while its mysteries are
surrounded by the most awful oaths,
with immediate death as the penalty for
their violation. Beside these, there are
some $4,000, 900 of the Starovier odd
faith men). These declare the Gar
and his family to be agents of the devil.
They endure every form of persecution,
and can always be relied upon as the
firm friends of the Nihilists. They en-
ploy agents who go from village to vii
lage spreading their doctrine. They are
all able to read and write, and among
them are multitudes of Poles and ex-
exiles. By the Nihilists and Staroviers
assassination is regarded as a iustiiable