New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-09
4 TALK NTH 4 NIHILIST PRINCE.

Whom Alexander III. emancipated the scrfs, the
Prince, then young man, Though ne mao Ihlge
possessions welcomed the measure with all theenthu-
sasm of youth for his love of liberty and sympathy
with his oppressed fellow-coutryrnen rendered nun
as indifferent 10 merely pecunary considerations as
me was 20 the fanced interests OF the order 10 which
he belonged. But the Gar, influenced by eyI ad-
yisers, and haunted by toreboding that II he al
vanced further on the path 81 reform the late 'as
hand from tue work he had begun. The press was
again muzzed, freedom of speech forbidden anu the
agitation for representatiye insutuuons anu an
one time had been tacitly tolerated, II not
openly encouraged, sternly suppressed. Al one
stroke reformers were converted into con-
spirators. The Prince who had taken an active
part in the movement, and many Others were ar
rested aud cast into prison. After beng kept III
solitary confinement without trial, Tor Two ana
half years and 50 wretchedly treated and fed that
he became q victim TO scurvy, from which he still
suffers he succeeded with the help OF ms PohtISaI
friends in making his escape. Shortly before TINS
event one Of his brothers in writing TO friend ID
London happened 10 mention the fact OF the Princes
imprisonment and expressed natural lndignauon
opened at the post Office and handed to the ponce.
NhereupOn the brother was seized and, without any
sort of trial deported 10 Siberia This was IN 1878,
and he is in Siberia vet After the Prince got away,
one OF bis sisters who had visited him few times
in prison, was arrested Charge OF having con
yed o. nus esea " nToo Wbeu beT had
been established and acknowledgement priVate-a
friend OF the family called the Chief OF Police TO
tunately impossible" observed the great man; you
zee we told the Gar that the Princess was al nc
eompiice and il would not be pleasant 20 have TO
tell him we were mistaken" SO 10 save the credit
Of the police with the Emperor the unfortunate lady
was kept in prison.
"At this moment" said the Prince, "thcro arc
thousands of men and women perishing IN Russian
prisons and wearing out their lives in Siberia-mcn
and women who have never been tired, whose solo
offence is asking for little freedom, who are
simply suspected of holding liberal opinions. And
that Is not the worst Look here laying on the
table group of Photographic portraits, inscribed
fighters and maFtyTs1; this ia the likeness Of q
young man of nineteen. He was hanged for affixmg
so-eailed revolutionary placard-it only asked for
q eonstitution-to a wall. This one was hanged for
distributing revolutionary pamphlets. Here Is
portrait Of young girl-tweuty she was; they sent
her to Siberia for similar crime and she died there
IN prison. Imprisonment In Russia for State Of
fence Is almost certain death The allowance for
food Is I'D. aday, and even part Of this is pur-
ioined by the officials. After few months or few
years Of such treatment, according TO the strength
f their constitutions, prisoners die generally Of
bcurvy OF dysentcry Do you think people OF edu-
cation people who know right from wrong people
who passlonaely yearning for a little freedom,
will tamely submit 70 such brutal tyranny ~ this,
OF that il fails to kindie in thousands Of hearts
hatred that can only be extinguished In blood
Violence beRefs violence