The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-08-10
ANARoH1srs AND N1H1n1srs.

ANARCHISTS AND NIHIn1sTs.
Elsewhere appears = dispatch from Der liz
stating the most rigorous measures even I
strong monsrchisl government can devise
have been adopted by Austria 10 suppress tn
Anarchists who are alleged 70 threaten thu
capture Of the Austrian treasury and to phi
Vienna to the torch. Austrian officials IN
der this decree may establish On executive
tyranny that has not been equalled since thu
French revolution, and II . danger threatens
like that indicated in the dispatch self preser
walton will inspire the civil and military
officials to Wholesale arrests and executions.
There is no limit to their power, and Anar
chy will be stamped ont or . revolution re.
suit. II they are the anne character ~
American Anarchists; If their cause is 4.
defenceless and their objects are - vicious,
We have no sympathy with them, and say
"more power to the arm that strikes them.'
But conditions are different In Austria and
America, and Is We are taking up for recon
alteration, with the possible result Of revers.
ing our opinion thereon, the question be.
tween the Russian government and the
Nihilists, we do not feel 80 sure that Amer.
lean sympathy should 60 out to the Austrian
government and against the Austrian Anar-
chists. The revelations that George KEENAN,
Is making in the Century Magazine in regard
to russia aud the Nihilis.s, IS they have
been called, are of = nature to make the
thoughtful American pause and reopen the
case for additional testimony. II his state
ments 50 far - made and his conclusions
from all his Investigations are correct, the
steppes and mines Of Siberia are the abode
of tens of thousands of political exiles whose
greatest crime is that they wish for . freer
and more liberal government, one in har-
mony With the better spirit of the age, and
one which they would defend and maintain
with patriotic courage. This does not apply
to the few "terrorists" who are opposed, like
the . o called Nihilists, to the government,
and who resort to even political assassina-
lions Is = method to accomplish their end,
but to the vast multitude of the revolution
ary party who simply desire = better form Of
government and whom the government for
its v ends purposely classes as Nihilists,
identifies with the "terrorists," and drives
into Siberia where they may die in harmless
exile. One Of these exiles stated to MI.
KEENAN,: "But even the terrorists do not pro-
pose to destroy al. existing institutions.
Every one Of them would, I think, lay down
his arms II the Tsar would grant to Russia
. constitutional form Of government and
guarantee free speech, . free press, aud free.
dom from arbitrary arrest, imprisonment
and exile" The Russian revolutionists,
upon the accession of Alexander Ill. to the
addressed . letter to him setting
forth their aims and objects, and distinctly
If the Tsar would grant freedom of
speech and summon q national assembly
they would agree not to oppose any form Of
government which such assembly might
Very few of those exiled aver
have . trial. They are arrested as political
suspects, young Or aged or Of middle life, rs
they are deemed dangerous to the Tears
thrown into impenetrable
kept solitary for months or years,
and then marched away to endless exile in
This is the story of Mr.. KEENAN,,
who from . warm friend of the Russian gov
eminent, sent out In 1885 6 under its special
care to and through Siberia with every tacil-
ity, because it was believed he would only
see, represent and defend, as he had done
before ate. . preceding residence in Russia,
The Tsar's side of the case, became the cham.
pion of these political exiles and is present.
Ing the facts as he saw and beard and knows
Them through q magazine that is now and
forbidden to enter Russia.
II he shall make out his case, and his in
tegrity is IS unquestioned as his most thor
ough acquaintance with his subject of any
living man who dares to write what he
knows is conceded, the sentiment of the
world will be r~evo'utionized on
question Of SO called Russian Nihilism.
And, if we have been deceived IS to Russia's
Nihilists, may we not be as to Austria's An.
archists? The latter government is almost
ls despotic as the former. Anarchism IS it
appears in America is damnable. 1t may be
Austria. But 1t would be we'll before we
ioin in the hope that it will be wiped out in
domain 10 first ascertain If it is
Austria is surpressing or whether
t may not he . justi6able struggle for liberty
Ind right by an oppressed people. The
probability is it they were lazy, r~um-sucking,
intriguing, bomb. throwing, grizzly. haired,
oeetle- browed, dirty and devilish Anarchists
would have in some way before this
provided for their expectation to America.