Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-18
NIEILISM.
Kihilism and Terrorism in Russia, as
Viewed by Observation-Disclosures

Lavroff New York. Charles Scribner's Sons
San Francisco: A. L. Bancroft & Co. Sacramen-
to- w. A. & c. S. Houghton. One vol, syo.,
cloth.
Certainly an entertaining book. Whether
accurate as to truth or not, it Is yet an in
teresting one. A book to be of value must
teach US something nsw, or it must enlarge
our intelligence on some topic on which We
are already informed. But who is informed
to his certain knowledge of the truth regard
ing underground Russia ?" As TO who Step
MAX is, is a mystery quite as profound as the
secrets of Siberia and the methods Of the
Russian Government and the revolutionists.
We are told by Lsvroff-concerning whom
we have no mora information, save that he is
philosopher, and once editor of reYolu-
tionary journal. than we have regarding the
author-that of all men Stspniak is the only
one to draw aside the curtain with faithful
ness. We only know that he was formerly
editor of the prescribed journal, Land and
Water. The mere tourist, ssys the preface
writer, In his attempts TO write of Russia is
fsrccal The novels and romances and
dramas on Russia are wholly unworthy con-
sideration. The writer who is favored by
the Gar is still less reliable. The writers
for the Russian press are under the I'M
perial rod, and dare not tell the truth.
Shall we put our trust in exiles who have
had part in the revolutionary movements?
But few of them who are fitted to such task
have ever undertaken it in the English or
other tongues than their OWE. European
scholars cannot serve us, for they are obliged
to rely upon Russian literature and the Rus-
sisD press. 4 psrfsct knowledge of the Rus.
sian tongue and the Russian character, long
residence in the country and special opportu-
mites, granted to very few, alone would fit
them for such york. Who, then, Lavroff,
shall raise the veil for u.s. He replies, Step.
MAX. And why this man alone? Because
he has direct part in the later revolution.
cerned he has the discernment to read truly
the character of the Russian people Rus.
sian politics he has made the study of life
time; he is talented. Judicial in mind, fear
founders of the revolutionary press, an active
participant in the revolutionary movements,
and is recognized throughout Russia by one
class as hero, by another as an inciter to
rebellion. He is a philanthropist, philoso-
pher, a learned scholar. In short Stepniak,
whoever he is, the prefacs writer believes to
be pure patriot. Throughout the Imperial
realms he is known only by this pseudonym,
Ssepniak.
The book is a vivid one. 1t is scholarly,
but it impresses one as being over. colored-
that the writer has allowed his enthusiasm to
lead him into extravaganza. and thus our
confidence is shaken in him, for we doubt the
possibility of his recitsls being exact. AS this
may be an unjust judgment, we go hating
through the volume, still profoundly inter.
ested and deeply impressed. OF this the
reader is certain: he has been put on INQUIRY
in way he never experienced before. The
book is one of stories romantic enough to sat.
isfy the lover Of the most sensational, and at
the same time full of the philosophy Of the
involved politics Of Russia. His heroes are
prophets and scholars, his women those OF
passion. utter devotion to the cause of the
revolutionists. and as brave as any that ever
drew breath. Vera Zsssulic (Zasulitch), for
| instance, he paints as one Of the most glori-
Gus martyrs that ever gave life for cause
In these sketches we learn for what such
suffered, and their cause is unquestionably
well presented and their philosophy certainly
admirably analyzed. 1t is just to say that
the author is not blind to the faults and pref
udices of the Nihilists We are told that
they are fsnatical, oft superstitious,
class, materialists, and living in snything but
practical condition Of mind. They look
forward to an ideal state more exalted
than any that can be set up :;
they hope TO accomplish much that
is impossible. Like ell true leaders in re-
FORMS they ara devoted :; always prepared to
lay down life for political faith. Their
patriotism is that which rises out of the most
intense hatred of their political opponents
and oppressols. While thus hating, con-
temptuous of life and Indifferent to fate,
they are stender, loving and gentle to
their friends and compatriots. The author
is, in the truest sense, Terrorist. That
method of pacifcation for Russia, be
holds, alone will accomplish the re.
forms it needs. He is a Socialist and a devout
believer in the necessity of destroying Gar
ism. A National Assembly and constitu.
ton acceptable to the people are the only
terms upon which he would treat with tie
Gar. This book of this man is divided into
four sections-the Propaganda and Terror.
ism, Revolutionary Pro6les,' Revolutionary
Sketches, and a note containing the letter of
the Revolutionary Committee to Alexander
IL. We shall notice in detail but two diyis.
ions. the Propaganda and Terrorism. and the
conclusion Of the Revolutionary Sketches.
We shall enter upon no analysis of the work.
nor any extended criticism of the doctrines,
or proofs OF The historical recitals, since the
reader viii gain clearer insight into the
volume and its methods and the doctrines of
Socialism in Russia by statement in brief
form Of the essential points made by the
author, and since no debate on the topics can
be engaged in, within the limits of ourreview.
Besides, the book is iss own best criticsm.
According to our author. then: Nihilism,
in its original state, was philosophical and
literary movement, hourishing after the
emancipation of the serfs, between 1860 and
1870. It is nov extinct. It was a struggle
for the emancipation of intelligence. It's
fundamental principle was absolute individ-
ADMINISTRATION in the name of liberty, of
sill obligations imposed by society, family
| life or religion. Its first conquest was over
religion, for in no land has religion 20 little
root among the cultivated classes as in Russia.
So the original Nihilism meant materialism
in its baldest form it meant atheism; it
was opposed to every religious system. The
Nihilists became missionaries, zealots in this
work of assaulting religion. They believed
they were working for the happiness of
human nature. Nihilism also proclaimed
war on oil things not based on pure and posi-
tive reason. 1t became absurd, and went to
the extent. of even condemning art and all
| that appealed to the sentiment of the beauti.
| Jul. But one of its most important works
was the advocacy of the equal rights of
woman with man. In this it won o signal
triumph. 1t lead naturally to the claim of
liberty for woman; liberty 20 choose her
master; liberty to pursue educational ad-