Morning journal and courier., 1890-03-17
RUSSIAN NIHILIsm.


 Hts origin ana Objects InsersssingIy
 Discussea at she Church of she Mes-
 siah by Victor Yarras of Boston.
 Victor Yarns of Boston, associate editor of the Russian publication, Libsrty, ad- dressed . large audience in the Church of the Messiah last evening upon Russia and Nihilism. He is rapid and fluent talker and presented his subject with much versa tility.
 There are some people who would not class Russia among the civilized countries and there arc some who believe that Russia Is both ., half civilized and . highly civilized country, said he. There are not many highly educated people there and :. the most of the people cannot even sign their names. There is in Russia . government and very strong one. This bears heavily upon the ignorant class and the enlightened people wish and are aiming to abolish 1t. Freedom of speech by the press and platform are things un- known there. It would now be impossible for me to go back and practice the fine cus- toms have learned here in this country. It is unlawful to say anything against the gov- ernment there. He who does 1t Is deemed guilty of crime. It is therefore dangerous business to work for or advocate any needed reform. Tho magazines and newspapers dare not touch Russian needs and reforms but have to deal with abstract questions and for eign affairs.
 When Alexander II, father of the present emperor, inaugurated certain reforms, small as they were, great things were done in Russ sia. There was new life for brief period. Authors and orators began to develop. The people began to awaken. All systems of government were compared and discussed. But certain things showed the emperor and his son that these reformers were carrying things too far. They were therefore abol- ished. The change was slow and gradual, but 1t was effectual, and now the people are left without any of these reforms. Now the government wishes to wipe ous even more reform than was given by Alexander II and to even suppress newspapers, magazines and other signs of freedom. The governmet press claims the true end of government is to introduce civilization, and 1t calls this civilization far different thing than we do. It cites the freedom of England and America and declares that it deerades the people and does more harm than good. It says the pso- pie are injured by being allowed to discuss public questions and public affairs. There are people who call themselves patriots who write insipid books in support of this supremacy over freedom which the govern ment assumes. .--
 And 90 the educated clements of Russian people are dissatisfied. If they express their dissatisfaction through the public press, they openly with such government. The young people and students were especially affected and organized what is known as the Russian revolt against the government. They went to the country and worked and talked with the peasants to induce them to join them. They instilled principles of freedom into their untutored minds. The government, through It's police and spies, soon found these things to exist. The people were sup- pressed in various ways, some going to Si- beria, some to prison and otherst to exile. Something else had to be done. If 1t was not right and justifiable for these people to carry on these agitations, 1t was not right for Ireland to struggle againt England, or for America to struggle for their colonial right. The question Is Q moral one and must be de- cided by every one for himself.
 A political band was then formed and this was in turn discovered and suppressed. Then it was that tho nihilists were organized. They carried on the agitations in various ways. The chief among these was by the students. They were discovered but could not be destroyed. They have been misrepre- sented from that day to this. They have been forced to adopt the ban of terrorism. They bound themselves together and decreed that by the dagger, the pistol and the knife, they should kill few of the most prominent despots and strike terror to the hearts of their oppressors. Thus the terrorists came into existence and they have been pursued and persecuted with the utmost venom by the government. The utmost of cruelties were indicted upon those who were arrested, and the government thus adopted in turn the doctrine of the terrorists in dealing with the increasing band of nihilists. This extreme doctrine adopted by the nj hilists lost for them the support of the liberals who could not endure the name "terror." This loss was ono thing which finally induced the nihilists to give up the more extreme parts of their terroristic doc Urine. They do not agree with the socialists and think 1t nothing but despotism. They dislike socialism and anarchy. Their policy to-day is to advocate less dangerous methods and more lawful ones. They do not abandon terror entirely but they have 1t for Q final and great condition. A terroristic deed is becominga thing of the past. They look more to Europe for aid now. They look to organize movements not only in Russia but in sympathizipg countries. This is the policy of the nihilists at present. The socialists of Russia accord more nearly with Edward Bellamy's views of labor affairs. They do not like the slavery of wages. The agitation now Is carried on mainly for politi- cal freedom. This is the one great boon for which the masses of Russia are struggling.