The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1882-03-22
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Nihilism In Russia was first promul-
gated few years. previous to the ae-
eession of Emperor Nicholas In 1926.
The revolution of that year was caused
by 1t, although the association was pop
ulnrly known as the Decembeflsts,
nom the month in which. the not of St
Petersburg occurred. The followers of
this organization established paper In
London called the Bell with the famous
rev0lutionist, Hertzen, as edition. His
chief object was to bring about q regen-
eration of the people and to sweep from
the face of the earth every member of
the Cars family, the titled aristocracy
and the priests, and to make an equal
division of all lands He was remarka-
bly, able, and his productions, called
&c Letters from This Side," produced
profound impression upon the youth of
Russia He unveiled the secrets of the
Cars household, and painted him In
the most frightful colors. His agents
penetrated the seclusion of the highest
circles of Russian society and made con-
verts everywhere, but chiefly In the uni
yersities His influence continued un-
I'll 1848. He died in Switzerland a few
years since an exile on whose head
price had been set for half century.
Societies under various names sprung
up, all having HertZen's views rs their
fundamental doctrine. The chief of these
was the "Soeiety of Young Russia.
They went further than Hertzen, and In
their journals, published secretly In Rus
STA, they even denounced the Bel as
''old fogy." Among the advocates OF
the new doctrine were Mikhailoff, the
great poet, and Tzernyshevsh, of Naples.
In 1870 the publications were sup
pressed and the writer's exiled. But this
mattered little, because their views had
gained so strong hold upon the Rus
sian mind that leaders were unnecessary.
In June, 1872, the Gar issued ukase,
giving power to the Minister of the In
terror to punish any undue freedom Of
the press, and since that time there has
been an unceasing round of persecution.
In the midst of it all, however, the doc:
trines of the revolutionists have beer
gaining steadily, until they have honey
combed the Russian empire from end to
end. The name Nihilists was first given
to them In 1864, in series of letters By
Antovitch, and was Immediately adopt
ed. and is now universally recognized b.
revolutionists of every grade.
In 1870 the Nihilists began to taxi
llGC1O6d All0 eAAROA ACbAOA4s 4OALS1
men and young ladies, even in the high
est ranks of society, dressed Themselves
as peasants and sought mental employ
ment, going everywhere and submitting
to any sacrifice, that they might propa-
gate their doctrine. The ladies have
been especially efficient. They cut off
their long hasE and entered the pro-
PASSIONS. Some of them became physi-
clans. and followed recklessly the exam,
pies of the men, and they became
equally dangerous to the permanence of
tie empire as the most fragrant among
the revolutionists. Out of their extreme
notions of liberty they adopted q form
of free-love, abrogating the rite of mar
rage, and dressing in peculiar forms
somewhat similar to the Bloomer cos
tune of this country.
, The strength of the secret Nihilist
Government, known as the Society for
General Freedom, can hardly be overes-
timated. 1t has its followers in every
circle of society and in every household.
Its organization is marvelously perfect
and compact, while its mysteries are
surrounded by the most awful oaths,
with immediate death as the penalty for
their violation. Beside these, there are
some IA, 600, 900 of the Starovier (old.
faith mem. These declare the Gear
and his family to be agents of the devil
They endure every form of persecution,
and can always be relied upon IS the
firm friends of the Nihilists. They en-
ploy agents who go from village TO vii
lage spreading their doctrine. They are
all able to read and write, and among
them are multitudes of Poles and ex.
exiles. By the Nihilists and Starovisrs
assassination is regarded as iustifabls
means of Kidding the country of tyranta