The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-03-16

dalA AK SLaldoi pL1oShASa sa@ ~ VS. ~
t is a popular error that this thing called
Nihilism is from the people, and o movement
towards liberty BY the people. I'll really an
effort to create anarchy and introduce weak
ness, by paralyzing the government. The
Russian masses are the most independent Of
all the masses of the earth excepting Our oWn
and more contented even than these. They
are extremely loyal to the Gar, who is both
their king and pope. He has raised them
from slavery, has given them lands, has given
them representation Ia the various par
liamentary bodies and freedom Of religious
thought and belief, has given the best system
of common schools in the world, has given
to 8 people just emerging from harharism
more blessings and liberty than it could pos
sibly have gained for itself under the most
favorable conditions without the sustaining
hand above them. He has robbed the few,
he has destroyed its p~rerogatives and reduced
it to an impotency that was too rapidly
forced not to take ~virulent form.
But for the past three or four Years the
virus has been gradually settling downward
into the masses, but does not as yet percepti-
bly, affect it. But the young generation with
its superficial education and lack of political
experience can not but be dazzled with the
the glittering impossibility of Nihilism, and
the periodic ~discon&ents which affect every
peopleis certain to find expression here against
the only visible source OF power, the Gear.
The Russian system is too rigid and ~inelastic
TO Withstand many attacks from within, how
ever admirably adapted to withstand press
ure from without, and it must soon either
shield itself behind q responsible ministry and
q national parliament ordisappear altogether.
We believe the former alternative will be &C
cepted and that the change will come soon.
gressive spirits in the tragedy of Sunday.
He was of melancholy disposition, and had
always the fear of a violent death before him
even long prior to the formation of Nihilism.
The terrible history of his family was his
constitutional horror. He was somewhat fit
full, but liberal, affectionate and kindly, view
ing only the development of his country, and
the social moral and material elevation of his
people. He has exercised profound infu-
ence upon the history of our generation, and
the world will feel the impetus for genera
tons to come. He secured Italian and Ger
man independence. He gave US substantial
aid during our wal Of rebellion, rendering US
the use Of his navy and preventing the inter
vention Of England and France in behalf of
the South. He has raised immeasureably the
condition Of the old Turkish provinces, be-
sides securing the Independence Of Servia
| and Roumania. He has reduced many no
madic tribes of Asia to civilization, and
| wherever his armies have gone the common
school and the arts Of peace have followed.
His methods have been harsh and arbitrary
from force OF circumstances, but his meas
ures have always been in the direction Of
civilization and the advancement OF the
human race, and the world will not with
hold its need Of praise because he may
have been led IN this direction through selfish
motives. He was 60 years and Il months
old.