The Arizona sentinel., 1884-12-06
NInILISM.
It. Firth. Ri.s and Progress.

US nkIthS n IN0 hnO IEOEICB8s
 Nihilism in Russia was first promul-
 gated few years previous to the ae- cession of Emperor Nicholas in 1895. The revolution of that year was caused by it, although the association was pop ularly known as the "Decemberists, " from the month in which the riot of St.
 Petersburg occurred. The followers of this organization established paper in London called the Bell, with the famous revolutionist, Hertzen, as editor. His
 chief object was to bring about regen- eration of the people and to sweep from the face of the earth every member of the Czar's family, the titled aristocracy and the priests, and to make an equal division of all lands. He was remarka-
 oly able, and his productions, called
 Letters from This Side," produced a profound impression upon the youth of Russia. He unveiled the secrets of the Czar's 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 versailles His influence continued un- tii 1S48. He died in Switzerland few yearx since an exile on whose head a price had been set for half century.
 Societies under various names sprung up, all having Hertzen's views as their fundamental doctrine. The chief of these was the Society of Young Russia. |" They went further than Hertzen, and in their journals, published secretly in Rus sia, they even denounced the BeH as "oid fogy." Among the advocates of the new doctrine were Mikhailof, the great poet, and Tzernyshevsld, of Naples. In 1870 the publications were sup pressed and the writers 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 Czar issued ukase, giving power to the Minister of the In terior to punish any undue freedom of the press, and since that time there has been an unceasing round of persecution In the midst of 1t all, however. the doc trines of the revolutionists have been 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 by reYolutionists of every grade.
 In 1870 the Nihilists began to take decided and important action. Young men and young ladies, even in the high est ranks of society, dressed themselves as peasants and sought menial employ ment, going everywhere and submitting to any sacrifice, that they might propa- gate their doctrine. The ladies have been especially efficient. They cut of their long hair, and entered the pro fessions. Some of them became physi- clans, and followed recklessly the exam pies of the men, and they became equally dangerous to the permanence of tle empire as the most fragrant among the revolutionists. Out of their extreme notions of liberty they adopted form of free-love, abrogating the rite of mar riage, 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. It has its followers in every circle of society and in every household Its organization is marvelously perfect and compact, while its mysteries sre surrounded by the most awful oaths, with immediate death as the penalty for their violation. Beside these, there are some 14,000, 900 of the Starovier (old- faith men). These declare the Czar and his family to he a0ents of the devil They endure every form of persecution, and can always be relied upon as the firm friends of the Nihiists. They em- ploy agents who go from village to viii lage spreading their doctrine. They are 1l able to read and write, and among them are multitudes of Poles and ex- eIiles. By the Nihilists and Staroviers is regarded as a iustiiable means of ridding the country of tyrants.