New-York tribune., 1884-01-22
4 NIHILysr Conflicts RECITAL.


The strange movement for which Turgcncf in
vented the c0ntemptuOus word Nihilism not
political IN its nature 1t was the sudden awaken
ing of intelligence that had been held in bondage
Naturally it was crude in its processes, passionate
in It's rescntments and somewhat absurd in Its
manncrsms and excesscs but it was purely liter
airy and intellectual force II ran its course during
the decade following the emancipation of the serfs
and then gave place to revolutionary propaganda
and terrorism. Ii was primarily revolt against
the principle of authority, not in the State but in
religion, in the family in society and in thought and
morals. It's leaders were the most intellectual men
in Russia. Among them were scientific Investigators,
students of political economy, contributors to plilo-
sophical reviews, and writers and thinkers of
marked originality and force. One of them, named
Cernisccvsl>y, was the conductor of magazine
known rs the Sovremiennik." He was an econo-
mist who was able TO read John Stuart Mills works
in English and he had gathered about him a staff
Of scholarly writers and controversiasts He
wrote an elaborate criticism of the English ec0nO-
mists works and a short series of miscellaneous ar
ticlcS for his magazine. These writings We're
purely literary and critical but they incurred the
displcasurc of the Government. In 1864 he was
arrested, tried and sentenced to exile for the re-
mander Of his life rs a warning 10 audaciOuS scrlb-
blcrs who were beginning to discuss political affairs
with Unscemy animation. He disappeared from
sight His name passed out of mems recollections,
and was recalled only by Socialist Vamphletecrs in
euumcratiug the pioneers of the intellectual move
ment which preceded the era of terrorism.
Ccrni5ceyslly meanwhile, has been paying the
penalty of his magazinc-writing in Siberia. At first
be- was confined in the PetroPayloy,ky fortress at
81. Petersburg. where he wrote cauOw Socalistlc
novel. Then he was transported to a station in the
Xabai,ul province In Eastern Siberia, where he re-
maincd seven years. nominally condemned to hard
labor Thence be removed IN 1877 TO NlniSk.
not far from Yal,ut-h where he was technically
known as freed convict colonist. His enforced
residence at that remote station the pole Of
extreme Siberian cold, continued until September,
1888. lilo was tlon sent to AStrachan, where cor
respondent of The Daily Mars London dncd with
him few weeks ago and received from his lips an
account Of his proracted exile in Siberia which has
occupied about twenty years. As Astrachan Is in
European Russia, his Siberian experience has come
TO an end but he has not reganed his freedom lie
is allowed to 1.-Two in three plain apartments, and
his wife has joined hm after separation OF twenty
years He cm go about the city and entertain
friends at lis own discreton but he remains at all
times under police surveillance and any act exciting
suspicion against him would probably lead to his
turn to Siberia. Such is the punishment that has
bccn mcted out to one of the most erudite and
amiable leaders of the original band of Aihlist
editors.
When asked the cause of his imprisonment and OK
lie Cemscevslly could only refer vaguely 10 his
review of John Stuart Milps works and to similar
essays He gave, however, much pleasantcr ac-
count of the conditions Of convict life in Siberia
than the listener expected to receive. He had
never been forced to work in the mines. although
sentenced to seven years of hard labor; and hIs
treatment throughout not that OF "A convict but
Of a prisoner of war. During his twelve years
residence mt Yilni,k he was allowed annuity of
800 by the Government which was sufficient 10
feed him a, free coloniSt. lie was allowed to !
receive money from his friends and to commn- |
lcatc with them; and he was treated by the agents
IF the Government as respectfully and couroously /
IS he coaId desire. The long period OF exile, how |
yer lcnicut rs the guards and officials have been,
Ias left it, impress upon him. lie suffers rom |
.hronic nervous proStraton. The CzarS clemcncy |
,a> come too late 70 restore the impaired vigor of |
he NIhl5t convcts mind.