The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-05-18
4 REMARKABLE DOCUMENT.
FIJI Text Of tie Nihilist Manifesto to the
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tant document, inasmucl ae 1t reveals the en-
fire nurpose OF the organization and the part
it intends to take IN the reign OF Alexander
TIT. Tt begins thus: 'sThe bloody tragedy
enacted On the Eketerinesky canal was not
an accident and took no one by surprise.
After all that has passed within the past zen
wears it appeared inevitable, and IN that con-
sists its deep Specification which should oe
D~roperlv recognized by the man whom Tate
has nlsced at the head of the State. 1t is
nn1v men incapable Of analysing the life
OF nations who can characterize similar facts
as crimes comnlitted by individuals Or by q
band. During the last ten years we have wit
messed in Russia, notwithstanding the most
severe prosecutions, and notwithstanding
that the government Of the late Emperor sac
rifced eyerything-the liberty and interests
Of all classes of trade, and even those OF It's
own dignity, in order to stamp out the revo-
lutiOnary mOVement-that movement cOntln-
uas to spread, TO attract 70 itself the best el-
ements of society, the most energetic and
self-aacrifCing men of the country, and we
see that it has during the past three years
engaged il desperate partisan warfare with
the government. The late Emperor cannot
be accused of want Of energy-both inno-
cent and guilty were hanged. Our prisons
and distant provinces teemed with exiles.
Scores Of so-called ring leaders were caught
and hanged; they perlehed with the stolc'sm
and resignation Of martyrs, but the move
ment did not cease without intermissi0n it
gained development aud vigor. Yes, Your
Majesty, the revolutionary movement does
not depend on the exertions Of any single m
dividual. It is a process Of the national or
ganism, and the gibbet erected for the most en-
ergetic opponents of this process is equally
powerless 70 save the old order Of things as
the crucidxion of our Savior did not save the
corrupt world of the ancients from the tri-
umph of reforming Christianity. What has
the government gained by the execution Of
the followers of Dolgushoff and Tchaikof-
sky-the leading spirits Of 1874? They
were replaced by popular champions Of 9
still more determined type. The terrible re-
prisals Of the government called forth the
tcrrorists of 1879 II was in vain that the
government executed Kovalsky, Duhrovin,
Ossinsky and Lizogouh Fruitlesa, also was
the e~xtirpation Of scores of revolutionary as
sociations. Out of these imperfect organi-
cations more vigorous political bodies eDrang
into existence by the process OF natural seiec-
ton.
A POPULAR REVOLT.
The general number Of the disaffected
throughout the country shows continual in
crease. Popular confidence in the govern
ment must diminish more and more. The
idea Of q regolution-of its possibility and
certain advent-will become more and more
developed in Russia. a terrible Outburst of
o sanguinary conflict and a revolutionary
CONFUSION Of the whole Of Russia will com
plete the process of the destruction OF the
old ediice. Why, then, is such q struggle
necessary? Because, Your Majesty, at pres
ent we have no government IN the true sense
OF the word. 4 government in real prlncl~
ple should represent Only the aspirations OF
the people and realize only the national will.
In Russia, hOWeVer-excuse the expression
the government has degenerstted into a pure
camarilla, and deserves the name OF an
usurping gang rather than the executive
Committee. Be the intentions OF the En-
peror what they may, the acts of the govern
ment have nothing in common with the as
pirations and requirements OF the people.
The imperial government subjected the peo-
pie to serfage, and handed them over to the
mercy OF the nobility. At the present time
it openly encourages the growth OF q most
dangerous class of spectators and extor-
toners. All its reforms tend solely TO the
further enslavement and spolatlon OF the
people. 1t has reduced the masses OF the
Russian people to complete beggary and
ruin. The eye of the spy follows every one,
ever to his domestic hearth; nor is any man
allowed to discuss local wants.
It is the spoiler and the social vampire VINO
alone enjoys the protection OF the law and or
the government. The most fagrant frauds
remain UNPUBLISHED. On the other hand,
what O dreadful fate awaits the man who
has the public veal at heart! Iou know
very well, Your Majesty, that it is not So
c~ialists alone who are prosecuted and exiled.
What, then, is q government that protects
such an @order" of things? Is it then not q
gang--surely is it not Q manifestation Of
comnlete usurpation? Hence the reason that
the Russian government has no moral intiu-
ence over and finds no support in the people.
This is why Russia produces SO many revo-
lutionaries, and this explains the fact that
regicide is hailed with such JOY and sy1npa-
thy by an enormous portion Of the popula-
ton. Yes, Your Majesty. do not deceive
yourself by the reports of t1atterers and min
ions. Regiclde in Russia is very popular,
TERMS OF PEACE.
We appeal to Your Majesty, divesting our
selves of all prejudice and suppressing all
mistrust which the policy Of the government
from past ages has generated. We forget
that you are the representative Of that power
which has SO long deceived the people and
caused it SO much injury. We address our
selves to you as a citizen and an honest man.
We hope that the feeling of personal enmity
will not deaden in you the consciousness Of
your duties and q desire to learn the truth.
We also have cause for animosity. You have
lost q father; but we have lost not only
fathers. but also brothers. wives, children