Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-01
KARL BLrsp ON "sIHIIlsm. +"

|
This word, first introduced in the Rus
sian language by Turgusnief for charac-
ter Of one of his novels, was, before him,
used by the German writer, Gutzkow, in
| his Ritter rom Geist. Its present applica.
tion to the state of parties in Russia Is
rather unloading. As elsewhere, there are
I In Russia men OF very various opposition
! shades-fIom the moderate liberal, who
would be satisfied with some kind Of par
| liamentary representation. to the Repub-
| lican and Socialist OF different sectional
views, and down TO the impracticable an
archist, whose brain has been turned and
set fire to by necessarily brooGing over
wrongs without the possibility OF redress.
1t is not fair to lump all these groups
| together and 20 brand them as Ninilists.
Il should be remembered that the very
terrorisss OF the Noro4Hoid F0'id VIII
Of the People u, who were driven 20 their
present tactics by sheer despair Of making
an impression by any other procedure,
have even quite recently declared 10 re-
markabe manifesto, that il the Gar we're
to consent 70 the c0nvocation Of National
Constituent Assembly, they would at once
cease using violent means.
When General Garfield was struck down
Dy ElE thHu OF q GfAlk- ALdlAtN aeeiceiuY
the Secret Russian Committee issued a pro.
test containing expressions OF deep
sympathy with the people of the United
States, and an energetic denuncia-
aiou OF the vile murderer. I'm a country"
they said, "where the personal liberty OF
the citiz ms allows Of the pacific agitation
for an idea, and where the free will of the
people NOT only frames the laws, but
chooses the government assassination, as
means of political struggle, Is tanta-
mount to that very despotism the over
throw of which is the object OF the revolu.
tionary party in Russia. Surely, these
views are not what most people would call
"Nihjlism." Oaly step by step, and
very unwilliDgly at first, were even
the extreme Russian Socialists induced
to give up their originally peaceful
agitation among the peasantry and the
people of the workshops. They began as
thorough idealists, imbued with an apos-
tolic spirit. Mostly young men and girls
of the we'll. TODD, cultured, even aristo-
cratic, class, gave up all their worldly pros
poets dressed like working people and
peasants changed their names mixed
and labored with the common crowd, try
ing TO gain it over to the new gospel OF po-
litical and social progress-often wlth'Very
Indifferent success for the more british
among the ignorant multitude often handed
over their would be friends and deliverers
TO the police Of these enthusiasts book
{" Subterranean Russia') published by a
pseudonym author NJ. Sropujak, but the
contents of which are II no small measure
authenticated by well-known Russian
exile, says "1heir creed was Socialism ;
their god, the People. They were ready
for every sacrifice bus they possessed
neither the impetuosity nor the deep pas
sions necessary for the combat. After the
first disappointments they no longer hoped
for victory, but aimed more at the crown
of thorns than at the laurel wreath. Iney
were overlooking with love, ana unable to
hate anybody-pOt even their execution.
ers."
Not a few of these, however, whose
career had thus commenced, afterward
changed into supporters Of system OF
revolutionary terror, owing TO the whole
sale arrest and deportation Of the most
peaceful propagandists. The trial oil 1913
prisoners at Moscow, in 1878, destroyed
the last illusions as to the possibility OF a
legal agitation for social and political re-
form. Then, in Schiller's words. The
milk of piops thought turned into dragons
bane." Conspiratory circles were formed,
in which - coveran. with death" was the
parole. There is not space enough here to
give description, highly instructive as 1T
would be, OF the many martyrs OF revolu-
tionary conviction who have suffered the
penalty OF their deeds during the last few
years. Among the various typical figures
of these conspiracies, two at least may
be mentioned Dmitri Lissogub, who
was hanged, on the denunciation OF
his own steward, for having devoted
his whole property to propagandism
and revolutionary action. 1t came out IN
the Trial OF the Sixteen. in 1880, that
Lissogub sold landed estates of the value
OF 200. 900 rubles for that purpose. Pale,
haggard, long bearded, OF apostolic aspect
and demeauor, this enthusiast always ap-
peared in most shabby garb, tbinly clad,
IN the bitterest coldd. The author OF Sub
terranean Russia calls him q" the Saint of
Nihilism." His counterpart was ValeriSn
Ossinsky. He is depicted as Of great man
!y beauty, tall, slim, of elegant attitude,
with blue eyes of enthusiastic expression,
fair. haired and well bearded, OF charming
Manners favorite of women. He was
the best collector of pecunisry means for
the party. When he asked for contribu-
tions, even old misers did not resist his
persuasive voice He is called the apollo
Of Nihihsm." He, too. ended at the gall
lows Contemporary Review