Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-08
A NIHILIST SESSION.
Ivan SmirnOff, a Former Siberian
Exile, Describes His Initiation.
ADMINISTERING THE IRON OATH.
The Obligations Of a Member Of the Dreaded
Organization.
HOW A SECRET MEETING is CONDUCTED
IwRIrTEN ROE THE pIsrATcH.l

lWhlTTEN FOB THE
The evening of which I em about to
speak was in the middle of the '70's. / had
then just returned after few years of forced
sojourn amid the SHOWS Of the bitter North,
not because was Nihilist (as indeed I was
not at that time), but simply that had been
known to associate with suspected Nihilists.
An example of Russian Justice. I felt that
1 had already suffered sufficient for the cause
to identify myself with it. I therefore ap-
piled for membership. Two friends inter-
ested themselves to obtain my wish for me.
1 knew they had succeeded, but I was
not apprised of the day or hour of
my initiation. It was an evening in
midwinter, with the snow knee deep
on the ground, and the feathery fakes
still falling thick and fast. The oppressive
stiffness which always accompanies snow
storm, added to the gloom of the scene, and
as stood looking out on the prospect all
the sad events Of my very sad lite fitted in
silent array before me. l wondered If my
friends in the far North ever paused to think
of the poor exile who had passed some of the
best years of his life IN their midst. How
we'll remember the long winter nights (in-
deed it was nearly all night, only four hours
daylight) in which the Ispravnik's pretty
daughter Dariye and 1 renewed new pledges
of undying affection, when a sudden sum-
mons from Petersburg ordered my immedi-
ate return, and our dream of happiness was
rudely shattered. I promised to return, but
now other ties claimed my attention, and I
was fated never again to see my pretty snow
bird-the Ispravnik's daughter.
The sound of bells was waited through
the thickly falling snow, and my medita-
tions were suddenly interrupted by the
stopping of small sleigh in front of the
house. 1t was driven troiks fashion, and
the pretty arch over the horses heads was
visible through the gloom. The two friends
of whom previously spoke, jumped out,
and entering the house, informed me that I
must hurry on my great coat as they had
come to conduct me to a meeting of the
circle, meaning the Nihilists- As 1 was
putting on my coat, mask was suddenly
thrown over my face, pluDging me into
midnight darkness. 1 was conducted to the
sleigh, and then began a drive, which
thought would never end. I feel quite sure
1 was driven through the same streets twice
and across the iron bridges which span the
Neva and back, but never a word escaped
the lips of my companions during the MEM
orable journey. At length we arrived at
the place of meeting, situated in the Vasi-
lewski Ostrof / must here digress to say
that many of the names which 1 use are
fictitious, others are so we'll known to the
world that there is no necessity to give other
than their own name.
THE IRON OATH.
The meeting was held at the house of
Madam Ann Popof. Still blindfolded was
led into the room where the members of the
circle were assembled. was as yet ignor-
ant of my surroundings, when a loud voice
from a distant part of the room addressed
me in the following language q afterward
heard it was the Chairman):
We, the members of Narodnia VOLTA (people's
will, ask you on your honor if you are aware of
all you have to endure by associating yourself
with our cause, GEIo, munger, c3n1em9Pt: oeIl-
In case of your arrest have you courage to bear
the tortures the Government may infict for the
purpose of forcing you to reveal the secrets of
to sacrifice your life for the cause if necessity
demands it? Think well, and, if your courage
fails you, there is yet time to retract and we
will take you back from whence ycu came; but
if you feel you can wholly submit to our con-
ditions will require you to take the Nihilistic
or Iron Oath. At the same time, warn you
that the obligations of the Brotherhood are
heavy indeed, and it requires strong determine
tion allied to an indomitable will to fulfill them
to the letter.
Up to this time had not spoken. 1 was
pondering deeply on all had heard. The
Chairman, possibly mistakIng my silence
tor cowardice, again addressed me, saying:
"Now, for the last time, in the name of your
country and ali you hold dear, are you
ready and willing to assume these obliga-
tions?" was somewhat awed bp the SOL
emnity of the occasion, but found strength
to say in a clear. distinct voice, am ready,
and determined to take upon myself all re-
sponsibiliIies mentioned, and become q
member of the secret order of Nihiiists.
The chairman again spoke: Brethren, if
any person present has any objection to in
terpose against this man becoming a men,
Der of this band, let him or her state them
or forever after hold their peace" No dis
senting voice being raised, he ordered the
removal of the mask.
was then told to face the assembly and
hear the Nihilistic or iron oath admins
tered to me. This oath is most binding in
its obligations to perform all things allotted
to you, even to taking life itself. You are
to swear that you will be faithful
in all things and stop at nothing which will
advance the cause. That all your acts will
be guided by the greatest secrecy. At ths
conclusion you are made to swear that you
regard yourself as the sworn foe of the Des-
potic Gar and his Government, and that
you will use every means within your power
to compass their destruction. There was
so uncanny, or weird about the
whole affair that it left a deep and lasting
impression on my mind. The dimlY lighted
room; the awed but eager faces which sur
rounded me, 1 can never Danish from my
memory. In my later and more nature
years look back shudderingly, and realize
how recklesslv 1 offered my own life to
sacrifice, and how willingly swore to take
the lives of others If an imaginary necessity
demanded it. It was not until 1 had taken
the oath that learned how mixed was the
which had witnessed nv renuncia-
lion of self.
A COMMON CAUSE.
There sitting together were officers of the
army and navy, members of the Imperial
Guard, Government officials of high rank,
professors, students, gendarmes, merchants
and a few peasants. A common cause made
all equal, and a member of the Imperial
Guard clasped the hand of his brother
peasant. All class distinctions were for
gotten in the struggle for freedom.
DIR. Ursurof, the President, was hand
some man of perhaps 40 years, who had
identified himself with the Nihilists for the |
last ten years. Madam Anne Popof, in |
whose house the meeting was held, was the |
Vice President. She was afterward arrested i
IS a suspect and died in prison. |
Her history was particularly sad one.
She had a beautiful daughter, Malanys, |