The Osceola times., 1883-06-30
RUSSIAN NIHILlSM.
Deser Ion Of the Famous Nihilists Who
Suffered Naturalization with the
Czar's Manifesto Chat with a Russian
Geutleruau
st. Louis Post Dispatch.

O. hpuls IOst bAelat'h.
Mr.. Edward c. Runge is a German
gentleman who was born and educated
in st. Petersburg, Russia. He has been
in this country about three months, and
is in st. Louis, stopping at Hurst's, with
the intention of settling here should he
find suitable conditions for permanent
residence. A Post-Dispatch reporter met
Mr.. Runge, and in a talk on Russia, Nj
hiiism naturally came up as the chief
topic of interest.
What is the history of Nihilism in
Russia ?" the reporter queried.
"Nihilism is only form Of the social
ism of Germany and France-of Karl
Marx and Lasalle. The first teachers to
introduce it into Russia were Bakunin
and Tchernychoh. At first it was only a
peaceful form Of socialistic agitation, but
Russia differs from other countries in
that there are no means of agitation such
as the press and public meetings. Such
lnlilSH uit not dlioNob anu tio PNpPiN
could not be reached in this way, and
soon the socialist, split up into two par
ties, one of which may be called the
peaceful constitutional party and the
other the Terrorists. The latter first be-
gan to show their tactics in the attack on
the Emperor on April 13, 1864, and then
the attack on Trepotf by Vera Sassulitch,
The history of their attempts is well
known. Their principles are entirely
destructive in nature, and hence the
name Nihilism."
"tf you were to ask Nihilist what the
plan of his party was he would answer
TO destroy the existing order of things
but if you should ask what ne intended
to substitute in place of it, he could not
answer, They have no plan but to des-
troy the Government"
"Te what classes of society do the Nj
hilists belong?
"Well, the party is chiefly made up Of
young students, and among these may be
but the poor aristocracy, without money
energy or ability. Many of them are stu
dents, and are ready for anything. The
women Nihilists are students, and they
are brought into the movement because
they are easy to pursuade, and because
of association with the male students in
co-education at the higher colleges. Co
education may be good thing else
where, but it is not so in Russia at pres
ent. The elementry education of the
women is of the poorest kind and they
are thrown into the colleges without
training and easily come under the in
fluence of the male students. They live
in the same apartments with them and
even initiate them in dress and habits.
THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE
are given to extremes. Their songs and
literary productions are either extremely
melancholy or are extremely enthusias-
tic. hence the strong hold that the radi-
cal principles of Nihilism take on them.
Many of the Jews are also Nihilists on
account of the oppression they have suf-
fered. The military officers are, many Of
them, Nihilists, but are not extreme.
They favor constitutional reform, and
only make use of the Nihilists, but do
not Join them
"Does Nihilism affect the mass of the
people," - M. , .,,.,o, J.. a..
Gar. The Car is their little father, and
he can do no wrong. They are dissatis-
fed, of course. hut the blame is always
laid on the local authorities, and gener-
ally rightfully. They seem TO have Just
come out Of barbarisn, and have in fact
and know nothing. They almost wor-
ship the Gar. In 1873, when the agiia-
tors had a procession, and carried plac-
ards for the purpose of stirring up the
people against the Emperor, and the
people themselves attacked the agitators
and beat them"
In some parts of Russia the only way
in which the Nihilists can affect the peO-
pie is by posting up placards with the
Cars name signed to them.
There is no middle class the mer-
chants and skilled artisans are all for
eirners, and among the Russians the
people are the rich and the very poor.
Russian merchants are mean shop-kecp
ers. The Russians make fair mechanics,
but they must be led and instructed.
The mass of the people are indifferent
and are devoted to the Gar and the
mobiles.
"The Grand-Duke Constantine was ac-
cused of being "A Nihilist. How. was
that ?"
"Oh, that was all talk. The way in
which il happened was very curious.
When the explosion occurred at the win
ter palace, all of the royal family were
present except Constantine, and when
the Emperor Alexander was assassin
ated he expressed his intention of not
going to the parade, but Constantine
had son who attained his majority
on that day and was to receive certain
honors from the Gar, and, thinking that
it would be slight on him, he persuaded
the Car to go. This naturally excited
suspicion but these are believed to have
been accidental occurrences"
Give me an idea of the characters of
the leading Nihilists."
They are very intelligent and very
active. You know. Melikoff said at the
trial of the seven murderers of the Gar,
that, if he had four or five such men, he
could organize party that would over
h row the Russian Government. Vera
Sassuitch was a Polish woman, and, al
though very homely, was educated and
dc voted to the cause. OF the murdurers
of Alexander, Pierofskia was the leader
and manager. She belonged to an aris-
tocratic family and was highly educated.
She had "a pale, intellectual face, and
would be called fine looking woman.
She vos the orgauizer and manager of