The Labor enquirer., 1885-12-26
His Connection With the Nihilist
Movement Of His Native
Land.
How One Of Earth's NobIenen, Has
Labered and Suffered in the Holy
Cause Of Freedom.


the Nihilist movement, as he is called
throughout Europe. He has not even
the least influence over the modern
Russian Revolutionary movement; no
literary influence, for ever since he has
resided abroad he has never written ex-
cept in the French language no per-
sonal influence, for at this moment he is
known in Russia only by name. This
fact, however strange it may appear to
the reader, Is the natural consequen ce of
another. Krapotkine is refugee; and
the political refugees. who reside in the
various cities of Europe. have not the
slightest influence, whether separately
or collectively, upon the Revolutionary
movement of their country. :.
Krapotkine is one of the oldest refu-
gees. For six years he has continually
lived abroad, and during all that time
has, therefore, been unable to take the
slightest part lnthe Russian Revolution
ary movement. This does not alter the
fact, however, that he is one of the
most prominent men of our party, and
as such will speak about him.
He belongs to the highest Russian
aristoeracy. The family of the Princes
of Krapotkine is one of the few which.
descend in right line from the old feu-
datory Princes of the ancient House of
Rurik. In the Circle of the ciaikeuzi to
which he belonged, it used to be jest.
ingly said of him, that he had more
right to the throne of Russia than the
Emperor, Alexander II. who was only
German.
He studied in the college ofthe Pages.
to which only The SONS Of the Court aris-
stocrscy ara. admitted. He finished his
course stbere with fE aisElnc-
.tion, towards the year 1851. but impelled
by love of study, instead of entering the
service of the court, he went to Siberia
to pursue some geological researches.
He remained there several wears, taking
part in many scientific expeditions, and
obtained through them vast amount of
information which he afterwards util-
lied in conjunction with Mr.. Elise Re
clus. He also visited China.
On returning to st. Petersburg, tewas
elected member and afterwards secre-
tary Of the Geographical Society. He,
wrote several works, highly appreciated
by scientific men, and finally undertook
a great work upon the glaciers of Fin
land, which, owing TO petition of the
Geographical Society, he was permitted
to terminate, when already confined in
the fortress. He could not relieve HIM
self from the necessity of entering the
the Court service Hew Chamberlain
of the Empress, and received several
decorations
In the year 1871, orat the commence
ment of 1872, l do not remember which,
he went abroad. He visited Belgium
and Switzerland, where at that time the
"Internationalen had assumed such pro-
portions. His ideas, which certainly
we're always advanced, took their def
mite shape. He became an Information
alist, and adopted the ideas of the most
extreme party, the so.called Anarchical
party, of which he has always remained
a fervent champion.
On returning home he put himself in
communication with the Revolutionary
Circle, inspired by the same ideas, that
of the cidikousi, and in the year 1872
was proposed as q amember, and admitted
by unanimity He was entrusted with
the duty of drawing up the programme
of the paftv. and its organization, which
was afterwards found among his papers.
In the winter of 1872 he commenced his
secret lectures upon the history of the
sInternationale," which were simply the
development of the principles of Social
ism, and the Revolution, based upon the
history of all the modern popular move
ments. These lectures, which to depth.
of thought united clearness and SIM
plicity that rendered them intelllgible
to the most uncultivated minds, excited
the deepest interest among the working
men of the Alexander Nevsky district.
They spoke about them to their fellow.
workmen, and the news quickly spread
through all the workshops of the neigh
borhood, and naturally reached the po-
lice, who determined at al hazards TO
find out the famous Borodin, for it was
under that fictitious name Krapotkine
gave his lectures. But they did not sue
ceed. In two months time, having fin
ished his lectures, he no longer showed
himself under surveillance, and made
preparation to go among the peasants,
and carry on the agitation as an itine-
rant painter; for in addition to his vast
erudition, he has mucn artistic talent.
The police succeeded, however, in
hribinq one Of the workmen, who con-
sented 10 play the spy, and perambu-