The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-04-29
THE NlHILISTS.
Declaration of Principles Of the Party.

DccinrataOm OF principles OIL the Party.
The following is the code of the Nj
hilists, as promulgated at ST. Peters
burg
A. We are socialists and champions
OF the people. We hold that socialism
alone can insure to humanity the bless
lngs of liberty, equality and fraternity.
We hold that the will of the people can
alone sanction and achieve the social
reforms we contemplate. No idea or
social instruction can prosper if it is
imposed on the people.
b. In this paragraph the sufferings
OF the Russian working class, resulting
from exorbitant taxation and arbitrary
administration, are exposed.
CT. We hold, therefore, the over
throw. of the present Government the
foremost duty. By this revolution our
nation snail attain, the faculty of an
Independent development of all its forces,
according to its own will and customs !;
2, the possibility of further growth of
the socialistic instructions, forming a
part of our national life, such as the
artel (workmen associations), the O6st-
china Gland commune), etc.
2. We hold that the will of the people
may be clearly expressed in national
assembly, elected by universal suffrage,
which, though by not any means an
ideal form OF expression, is nevertheless
the only one possible under the present
circumstances.
3. 1t is, therefore, our intention to
take the state power from the hands OF
the present Government and confer it on
a national assembly, which is to decide
rs to the future constitution of our
country.
D.-Therefore we demand:
1. A regular representative assembly
elected by universal suffrage.
2. A full local self government of all
provinces, districts and townships.
3. The commune an independent, eco
nomical and administrative unity.
4. The land to be declared state prop
erty.
5. A system of measures aiming at the
transmission of all factories and work
shops to cooperative associations of
workingmen.
6. Full liberty of conscience, of
speech, of the press, OF associations and
meetings.
7. Universal suffrage, without limita-
ton as to class or property.
8. Abolition of the standing armies
and institution of national militia.
En- view of the above stated princi-
piles our action comprehends
1. Propaganda agitation. Our prop
uganda purposes to diffuse among all
classes of our people the idea of DEM
ocratic political revolution as the only
means for attaining better social con-
dition.
2. Destructive and terroristic action.
Our terroristic action consists in the
destruction of the most pernicious agents
of the Government, of spies, agents of
the third section, etc. The purpose of
these violent acts is to rob the Govern
ment of the Car of its prestige in the
eyes of the people, to show the latter
the possibility of a struggle with the
Government, and to soment thus the
revolutionary spirit in the ranks of the
people.
3. Organization of secret societies.
4. Secret agencies in the ministries,
in the army, in society, and SO forth,
have been instituted in all parts of the
empire. New agencies are yet to be
opened.
5. Organizations and outbreak of the
revolution. The people being oppressed
and the Government yet too strong, the
party must take upon itself the initia-
tive of the revolutionary outbreak.
When and how can, of course, not be
published.