The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-09-29
THE WORD NlHlLlsr.
How It Camo 10 re Applied To Russio's
Political Malcontents.

How It Camo 10 re Applied To RussfN's
Political Malcontents.
The word "Nihilist'' was introduced
in Russia by Turgenieff who used IL
In his novel, Fathers and Children"
to describe q certain type Of character
which had then recently made its APP
pearance In the ranks of the rising
generation, and which he contrasted
sharply and effectively with the pre-
vailing types in tho generation which
was passing from the stage. As APP
piled to Bazaroif. tho skeptical, mnteri-
alistic iconocasiic surgeons son In
Turgenieff' novel, the word ''Nihilist'
had natural appropriateness which
the Russian public at once recognized.
There wero differences of opinion rs
to the question whether any such class
as that represented by Bazarof roally
existed, but thcro was no diff
ference of opinion with regard to
the appropriateness OF the term as
applied to that particular character.
1t was accurately descriptive of the
type. The word "Nihilist" however,
was soon caught up y the conserva-
tives and by the government and was
applied ndiscriminately by them rs
an opprobrious and discrediting nick
name to all persons who are not satis-
fed with the existing order Of things
and who sought by any active method
whatever, to bring about changes In
Russian social and political organiza-
tion. To many of the reformers, icono-
calsts and extreme theorists OF that
time the term ..Nihilist' was perhaps
fairly applicable-as 1t certainly was.
for example, to Bakunin and his fol-
lowers-and by some of them it was
even accepted in q spirit of pride and
defiance as an appellation which. al
though nickname, expressed con cise-
ly their opposition to all forms of au-
thority based on force. To tho
great mass of the Russian malcon-
tents, however. 1t had thcn. and has
now, no appropriate reference what
ever It would be quite rs fair and
quite az reasonable to say that the
people In tho United States, WHO were
once called "Know-Nothings," were
persons who really did not know any
thing as to say that the people in Rus
sia, who are now called "Nihilists,"
are persons who really do not believe
in nor respect any thing. nor do any
thing except destroy. BY persistent
iteration and reiteration, however. the
Russian Government and the Russian
conservative class have succeeded in
making the world accept this oppro.
brious nickname as really descriptive
of the character and opinions of all
their opponents, from the terrorist"
who throws an explosive bomb under
the carriage of tho Gar, down
to the peaceful and law-abiding men,
ber of provincial assembly who re-
spectfully asks leave TO petition the
Crown for the redress of grievances.
1t would be hard to find another in
stance in history where an incongru-
Gus and inappropriate appellation has
thus been fastened upon hetorogone-
Gus mass of people to whose beliefs
and actions 1t has no sort of applica-
bility. or case in which an opprobr-
GUS nickname has had so confusing
and so misleading an infue CO upon
public opinion throughout the world.
The people most misrepresented and
wrongcd by this nickname are un-
qucstionably the Russian Liberals
the members of the protesting party
who seek to obtain reforms by peacea-
bic and legal methods. Century Maga-
zine.