The Arizona sentinel., 1884-08-23
ELRTLISM.
It's Birth. Rise and Progress.

AA1SS f1Hhu &ECBSs
 Nihilism in Russia was first promul- gated few years previous to the ac- cession of Emperor Nicholas in 1925. The revolution of that year was caused by 1t, 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 a 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- pIy able, and his productions, called
 "Letters from This Side," produced profound impression upon the youth of Russia. He unveiled the secrets of the tJzar'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- 0erts everywhere, but chiefly in the uni versailles His influence continued un- til 1843. He died in Switzerland a few wears since an exile on whose head price had been set for half century.
 Societies under various names sprung up, all having Eertzen's views as then fundamental doctrine. The chief of these was the "Society of Young Russia. They went further than Hertzen, and ill their journals, published secretly in Rus sia, they even denounced the Bey as GS111 fo~rI tho o11-nootEc 1s the new doctrine were Mikhalloff, the great poet, and Tzernyshevski, of Naples. In 1870 the publications wer9 sup pressed and the writers exiled. But thi.. 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 lkase, giving power to the Minister of the h. 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 doe 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 revolutionists of every grade.
 In 1870 the Nihihsts 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 luent, going everywhere and submitting to any sacrifice, that they might propa- gate their doctrine. The ladies hay, been especially efficient. They cut of their long hair, and entered the pro- tcssions. Some of them became physi- ciaus, and followed recklessly the exam
 ,ies of the men, and; they became equally dangerous to the permanence ot 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 form, 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 are surrounded by the most awful oaths, with immediate death as the penalty for their violation. Beside these, there are some 14,OOO,0O0 of the Starovier Gold faith men). These declare the Czu and his family to be agents of the devil. They endure every form of persecution, ard oan olyyovC bn Ynlind 11pOn oS the firm friends of the Nihilists. They em- pIoy agents who go from village to viii iage spreading their doctrine. They are -,l able to read and write, and among them are multitudes of Poles and e1 exiles. By the Nihilists and Starovie,s assassination IS regarded as iustiiablt means of ridding the country of tyrGn,s