Sharp County record., 1888-02-02

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it is out of the question to think OF es-
cape, even though the exile is provided
with food and raiment for the long
journey.
Once in Siberia the exile is the same
as in Jail, with the exception that he
has the open air and plenty of room in
which to move. Inasmuch rs no fire.
arms, excepting those in the posses
sion of the officers, are allowed in the
country, and the colonies are kept
small, it is not now possible for sue
cessful uprising If the exilos were
permitted to commingle freely, get to-
gether and had an opportunity to or
ganize, even without arms they would
make frequent trouble, for they are
generally in a desperate frame of mind.
In the first place, the bulk Of eXilcs
are persons who have offended the
throne. and they are moved to the of-
fense through q desire to check the
wrongs against the people. They are
frenzied by despotism. People Of this
character hay, no regard for life and
no fear Of death. The Nihilist who
destroyed Alexander II. u few years
ago was willing to be destroyed at the
same time. All who have moved
against royal life in Russia have
been willing to die for their acts.
Quite as many army and other
officers are stationed in Siberia to
guard the exiles as are in the military
and naval services of the United
States. So extreme have been the
punishments of the eXiles, and so un-
just, and so many innocent persons
have been exiled that many of the
governments officers are becOming g
disgustcd. Should Russia become en-
gagged in war which would lessen the
Siberian forces sufficiently to warrant
an instruction it would surely come,
and the system of exile would be no
more. 1t is maintained because it is a
dreadful mode of punishment and en-
ables the Government to drag-net
many of its subjects and suppress all
open dissatisfaction at q comparative.
ly small expense. 1t would require an
enormous outlay to provide prisons for
the exiles. AS it is, they are dumped
into q country they can not leave,
where they are safe, and given u pit
tance to exist upon. Their mode of
existence must be provided by them
selves.
American and English excursion
lists sometimes extend their tri ps to
Southern Siberia, and have pleas
ant journey. Here the climate is very
like that in Finland and old Russia.
Towns, small cities and beautiful resi-.
dences are seen. In places there is
active life and enterprise, the offspring
not only of the better class of eXiles,
but immigrants.
Some very affecting scenes are wit
messed at the departure of q colony of
exles from Moscow From there they
start upon their journey every Sunday
afternoon. Those not found guilty of
the heinous offenses are permitted to
60 about in preparation without the
presence of an officer There is no
danger Of escape, for it is almost i'm
possible to- -cfutp the officers, and an
attempt to escape means death.
The prisons are on Sparrow
Hills, where Napoleon's army
bivouackcd. The families and friends
of the exiles are present. There is
wailing and moaning and floods of
agonizing tears. Mothers, wives,
fathers, brothers. sisters. friends and
kindred remote assemble and bid the
same farewell q criminal receives
when he marches to the scanold.
There arc frequent baptisms and
blessings from the priests. When the
exile looks back upon the spires.
steeples and domes of Moscow he bids
the world adicu. as did the condemned
who pass over the Bridge of Sighs.
Among the most numerous classes
in Siberia are the writer's. The au-
thors of books, newspaper articles and
teachers of seditious sentiment, as
well as those who would take the
forum for free or constitutional gov
ernment find early refuge in the
North. landed in Siberia, it is the
ambition of the educator of pub.
lie opinion TO tell the outside world
his condition and the horrors of the
country. Here one could find sutli-
cient foundation for any number of
romances and heroic acts. Various
schemes are rcsorted to to get letters
to friends. Occasionally in the col
umns of newspapers outside of Russia
appear letters from Siberian exiles
detailing life there, and they are
enough TO harrow the soul, but it has
little effect upon the authorizes In
deed, l am told that they would not
object 10 the publication of these let
ters within the empire, as they take
pride in keeping up the reputation OF
the country. since TO reflect upon life
in exile has a wholesome influence on
the would-be Nihilists. st. Peters,