Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-25
A Nihilist Winter Campaign.

We get but little news over the cable
from st. Petersburg Of late, but that little
shows that there is terrible work in pro-
| gress before the military courts. In dis
patching to Siberia large numbers of
suspects charged with completely in the
| plots and conspiracies- real or imaginary
of the Nihilists. But, meanwhile, the
Nihllists themselves would seem to be
manifesting fresh energy, notwithstand.
ing the relentless vigor, of the govern.
ment. On this point the European mail
brings us some important information.
st. Petersburg, it would appear, has
recently been inundated with ANONYMOUS
proclamations, signed as usual by the
Executive Committee, and posted up
even on the palace gates-by whom no
body, not even the lynx.eyed detective,
knows. After reiterating their demands
for a permanent elective Assembly
chosen by universal suffrage, ETC., they
propose as q means Of action 'an ener.
getic, destructive and terrorist propa.
ganda," by which is meant the ''destruc-
tion of the more malignant members of s
the government, the defense of members
of the party against espionage, and repri-
sails against officials engaged in the
repression of the revolutionary move
ment. " Opposed as we are to a gov
eminent which is our bitter enemy. this
manifesto goes on to say. s'the end iusti-
fies the means; everything that conduces
to our common obiecU is permitted.
Every element of opposition in the coun-
try, whether in league with us or not,
deserves our help" Workmen are also
urged to form themselves into revolu.
tionary societies, to furnish themselves
with arms, ''and await the signal"
Besides this, the same mysterious Ex-
executive Committee have published a
proclamation to the officers Of the Rus
sian army, and by some means or other
they have managed to obtain for it a
wide distribution; and this, too, in face
of the fact that the penalty inf icted upon
all persons convicted of circulating Sin
cendiary publications" is death. 1t bears
date September 18th. and is couched in
the most impassioned language. The
officers are asked eff they esteem it an
honor to defend worm eaten despotism
which is running the country, brutal.
izing the people, and reducing Russia
TO the rank of sec0nd-rate power?"
The deplorable condition of the En-
pire Is described at length, and the
extirpating miserable government of
parasites and recalling Russia to new
ifef" The most remarkable part of this
ominous manifesto is the conclusion.
which, in exalted terms. predicts "the
grand future in store for the Russian ma
ton after il has thrown off the incubus
of imperial despotism." II is not little
significant that in neither of these docu-
70 fhrro 4
Gear, nor is he held up to oppTobrium
even, as ~ previous proclamations from
the same source. This goes to confirm
the theory that his death is not yet de
creed by the Executive Committee. On
this point q correspondent Of the Man.
chester Examiner, writing from Geneva
Gust now hot bed of Nihilism). says:
Much depends on what the winter NAV
bring forth. II an approaching trial Of revo-
lutionists, among whom are several officers oE
the navy, should result in the condemnation
and execution Of the accused. it is almost GER
tain that sentences OF death viii he formally re-
corded against the CIR. If so, his doom viii
be sealed; for it is impossible 10 protect the
life OF man whose deaik thousands of un
known and reckless enemies have sworn %
compass"
There is no reason to suppose that this
view is purely copjectural Il is simply
justified by the whole course of current
events. The time is probably not remote
when st. Petersburg win again be the
scene of stirring events The signs OF
the times point in that direction. The
Nibilists, evidently, have entered upon a
winter campaign, and as the Gar has no
answer to their appeals for milder
and better government, save drumhead
courts martial the gibbet and Siberia,
he apparently accepts the challenge to
do their worst The time for his corona
ton is approaching. and if the head that
is to wear the crown is not even now
uneasy" in the presence Of such a pros
pect, then one can only conclude he must
be singularly Indifferent to coming events
that thus cast their shadows before.