The Arizona sentinel., 1885-05-09
NIHILISM.
Its Birth, Rise and Progress.

Nihilism in Russia was first promul- gated few years previous to the &C., Cession of Emperor Nicholas in 1925.
 The revolution of that year was caused
 by 1t, although the association was pop u1arly 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 BelI, 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- ply 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- eerts everywhere, but chiefly in the uni versailles His influence continued un- til 1S48. He died in Switzerland few years since an exile on whose head 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 BeU as "oh fogy." Among the advocates of the new doctrine were Mikhailoff, the great poet, and Tzernyshevski, of Naples. In 1870 the publications were SUD- 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 a ukase, 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 it 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 revolutionists 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- cians, and followed recklessly the exam ples of the men, and they became equally dangerous to the permanenee of tie empire as the most fragrant among the revolutionists. Out of their extreme notions of liberty they adopted 8 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 are surrounded by the most awful oaths, with immediate death as the penalty for their violation. Beside these, there are som, 14,OOO,OOO of the Starovier Gold faith men). These declare the Czal and his family to be agents of the devil. They endure every form of persecution, and can always be relied upon as the firm friends of the Nihilists. They em- ploy agents who go from village to vii Iage spreading their doctrine. They are Ill able to read and write, and among them are multitudes of Poles and ex exiles. By the Nihilists and Staroviers assassination is regarded as a justifable means of ridding the country of tyrants.