Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-03-22

the nihilist is of self.defense, and Will
hold good before the great tribunal of
the unknown future. The war was
precipitated by powerful tyrants, and
the outraged minority were left no
other alternative than the swift ven
eeance that overlook the illustrious
demon, and should overtake all such
tyrants. Do not call the act muir
der" assassination most cowardly,
etc., on the part of the nihiliSt'
Such would be wrong, unless at the
same time you so stigmatize the acts
of the dead despot in c%onsigning to
living graves in Siberia thousands Of
Russians for merely asserting and ask
ing for their rights. 1t would be bet
ter for the universal cause of liberty
throughout the worldif nihilism would
assert itself wherever tyranny intrud-
ed its fendish presence. | do not Ia
vor war, nor the shedding of blood;
but when tyrants take the initiative to
rob and kill, then | am in favor of the
tyrant's destruction by the most expe-
ditious means. Talking and reason
ing with despcts has long since proved
sbortive and fully demonstrated that
the leaden pellet is the only argument
with which to meet the foe of liberty.
This success of nihilism should awaken
to reason the hereditary despots Of the
world, and more especially in western
Europe. The nihilist programme in
England would help the cause of
down-trodden Ireland. To conclude
this theme: If you discovered a bur
glar robbing your house at night
would you hesitate to kill him? OF
course not, l hear you say. Well, then
where is the difference between the
robber o fyour property and your God
given rights as a free. man? Reflect
we'll before you condemn the execu-
toner of the Russian tyrant. Let not
the fact that he liberated 100000 Of
serfs sway your reason. Who made
them slaves2 Who but his predeces.
sors in power2 Did he free them Of
his own will of hearth No. He was
forced to do so. When he promul-
gated that proclamation the shadow Of.
his doom was upon him. He is dead
now. The prayers Of his countless
victims for his destruction have been
heard, and the stone placed over his
remains will be a monument erected
to liberty by an inhumanely outraged
people.
The suicide in California of General
Upton, Of the United States army, is
much deplored by soldiers aud civil
ians of Chicago, who mourn him as an
irreparable loss to the military service
and to the social circle, in each capac-
ity Of which he was such a distin-
guished ornament.
The trichna excitement in Europe
against the United States did not
interfere with the Chicago wholesale
meat dealers the other evening, in
having a magnificent banquet. 1t was
a princely affair.
The famous European war cores
pOndent Of the London Daily News,
Hon. Archibald Forbes, lectured on
the Inside Life Of a War Correspon-
dent" in Central Music hall last night.
The attendance was very ~Aattering
and the discourse Of more than pass.
ing interest. General Phil Sheridan
aud some of his staff graeed the occa-
sion by their presence. The lecturer
carried his audience over the deserts
of Arabia, and to Kiva. and Plevna,
and Metz, and into Paris and out Of
it during the Franco-P russian war,
and the days ofthe commune; and sat
them down to a meal of horse flesh
and defunct dog; and gave them a bed
on the cold ground and covered them
with the sky, etc., etc., aud other
desserts, Of which the survivors Of the
late war in the United States so hear
tily, ifnot cheerfully partook during
those dark and bloody days. Mr.,
Forbes is a plain, solid speaker, but
entirely devoid Of ~oratorical painting.
Chicago ladies are waging a vigorous
war against King Alcohol, Pity they
could not blow him out of existence
q la car.
A good shot was made last Saturday
by Ed NJ. Bsgley, a clerk in the dry
goods store of f. j. Poole, west Mad
ison street, Chicago. During the night
he was awaked by the crashing of glass
in the front OF the store. He got up,
and found a window had been smash
ed. At the sawe time he noticed sew
ersl persons standing on the sidewalk
across the street. In a short time one
of the parties crossed over and APP
preached the fractured window. In
the meantime Mr.. B. took a com
mandiug position, and with a heavy
revolver in hand, awaited develop
ments. Soon the breach was ap-
preached. Then a head entered the
orifce. Then an arm followed, ac-