Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-09
THE CZAR AND the NIHtEiS1S.
Boston Lawyers Observations
and Experience I'm Russia.

tsoston Herald. 9Th instl
Last evening large and interested audience
was entertained at Union Hall, Boylsron street
by lecture on "The Extent and Character OF
Nihrlsn1,' by Albert T. Sinclair of this city.
researches and Investigations in Russia rem.
cered his views on this now current topic or
peculiar importance. His opinions. based upon
personal contact with the Russian people, and
gathered by social converse with representa-
tive men In all walks OF life, are widely At vari-
anee With many Of those expressed from pulpit
and platform and In the columns OF the local
press. He opened his lecture by the observation
that most Americans do not under stand the Rus
Sian people and the feelings they entertain
toward the Car and the Nihilists This is. In
great measure, due TO the fact that whatever
inlormaton We receive usually comes from
English sources The English suspect and
fear mat Russia has designs upon India, and
enough, this feeling is cordially reciprocated
oy the latter. Consequently, an Englisn-
man Is ve.y apt to see AID report nothing
from which We IN America, Obtain wrong In
formation and impressions is from the Poles
scattered over this country and Europe
division OF Poland, and has put down insur-
rection with most rigorous hand. Even now
Poland Is practically under martial law, Their
opirions, therefore, are tinged with bitterness
TOW ard RI ssia. and cannot be relied upon. To
a stranger visiting Russia natural prejudice
is felt upon realizing that you are upon the SOIL
L
did. over tie country, it was my custom to as
soclate entirely with the natives, and OBTAIN
their own ideas OF their surroundings and
their govern ment- | visited ST Petersburg,
Moseow, oslof, Mini Novgorad and many
otler cities. and, as the attempt on the life OF
the Car at the winter palace was OF recent
GATE, expected to find some difficulty In
stranger travelling through the country, but
Was Lot subjected TO the slightest Inconvenience
or annoyance. Every traveller has passport
which Is always examined. upon entering
nv no
This Is the only difference between Travelling
In Russia and this country. | endeayored 70
obtain reliable Information In regard to the
NfhfliStS, and held conversation With several
students CT the University OF ST. Petersburg,
some students in MOSCOW, several army Officers
merchants, shopkeepers and laborers. Every
spect and love for the Car and deteStation for
the NlhilistS- From representations made TO
me, supposed the Nfhilists We're few, fanati-
Cal, desperate; enemies OF good order and pro-
gress, as their name Indicates. i found they
were few In number, and their actions seem TO
indicate that they do not belong TO the igno-
men, quick and capable, but reckless. Such
travellers through Russia as Gen. Grant, Lieut..
Green, Minister SUoughton and many others
are OF the same opinion, and testify TO the
great love the people generally have for their
Car. The advanced thinkers IN Russian
politics who are DESTROYS OF some kind of par
lament state that. to accomplish this the
Nfh1lstS must be first crushed out as the latter
desire nothing but disorder. Not tenth part
Of the Russian people read or write. The popu-
latton Is about 100 900 900 speaking fty TO sixty
different languages The peasants are dirty.
plgoted and very ignorant, utterly unXorthy OF
political rights. The late Car, Alexander H.,
has done more for his people than Is realized
On this side or the water. The Old Russian
party, all the clergy, army and nobility, and
the great majority or the people are ag ainst
reforms. When Alexander ii. liberated the Serfs
ne TOOK land from the MOBILES and divided it up
In LVlngS for the e,nancipatel people, ALLOW
Ing them 40 years to pay for the same. He
abollshed The use OF the knout aud reformed
the Judicial system; but the liberal Car was
assassinated." The speaker said, Are these
facts net poor encouragement for the new Car
60 pursue liberal policy? What Is wanted In
corruption, and remove irom high life those
who are encouraging disorder for their own
gain. and attempting the downfall OF the Rus
sian Kingdom. The people generally are In
sympathy with the new Car, revere and love
him, and are ready TO express the great hopes
they have OF his successful and happy admins
much time In visiting the courts OF justice,
and, from his close observations. felt sat
lshed that in the administration OF Just
ice. intelligence and fairness marked their
system and one we would 90 well
70 initiate, is that i've judges set upon a case,
and, al it's conclusion, retire and come to de-
clsion before proceeding with another case,
whereas we have one judge, and he gives his
decision weeks or months after the case has
been heard. Russians, as class, detest for
NiShSi d AOI tl4SS natS OcCu uy tutu al
every turn; therefore all reforms emanatlng
from foreign sources or precedents are secuted.
Mr. Sinclair, In closing his lecture, which was
highly appreciated. said: let us sympa-
thLe With the Russian people IN their honest
attempts TO bring forward reform, but let us
regald The NlhillstS, their modes, deeds ana
crazy Efforts With hearty condemnation. The
one great factor which will reyoIuJiontze ig0o-
rant Russia is education, and the present Gar
is a warm ri. nd and supporter OF this, when
Is iaat becoming growing system, and Ia the
ut Nt ten years We Will surely see Dounttful aud
healthy rt4Sn