The record-union., 1891-02-02
NIHILTM IN RUSSIA.
The Remarkable Organization that
the Car Fears.
Meaning of the Term ssNihi1ist',-what
1T is to Belong to the Order-Its
Oaehs and Obligations-MarveI
Gfowth-The ssMissIon,, of Nihilism.

Tourgieneff, the Russian writer, was
the first to apply the word "Nihilism"
personally. In Fathers and Sons," pub
lished in 1861, he calls his hero, Bazaroff,
Nihilist. When, in 1862, the Polish
revolution broke out, the word was
brought into universal use, and since that
time it has been persistently applied to
reformers and all liberal-minded persons.
Nihilism is derived from the Latin word
Mill (nothing), giving the impression
that persons so called held no beliefs of
any kind; that law and religion were to
them unknown quantities-things of the
past. The supposed mission of the Nihilist
is to break all laws, scatter orthodox
creeds to the winds, and, if necessary,
unseat royalty itself in the accomplish
ment of its purpose. Nihilism, at its
first inception, was but a speck ON the
horizon of the Russian Empire, but as
time passed on it assumed such gigantic
proportions as to cause the Car and his
supporters the greatest uneasiness.
In many cases, the term Nlhilist is a
misnomer, the persons to whom it is ap-
piled not belonging to any secret society.
In America, as a rule, Russian Nihilism
is totally misunderstood, and is classed
with Anarchism and Socialism. This is
grave error, for the ends and aims of
these are totally different. While An
archism advocates bloodshed, and Social
ism aims at the reconstruction Of our so
cial laws, at the expense of liberal
governments, Nihilism is the outcome of
years of oppression, under cruel, despotic
rule. 1t is the wailing and throbbing of
millions of crushed souls; it is the break
ing forth of the long pent-up cry for free
dom, for recognition OF the peoples
rights. 1t is not the peasant class, which
constitutes the major portion of the Cars
subjects, which is responsible for the
present condition of affairs throughout
the Empire; we must look to the nobility
and the educated classes, for to them
must be attributed the enormous growth
of liberalism at present sweeping over
the Russian land. Only great minds
capable of thinking and reasoning out the
social and political problems of the day
could aspire to be leaders in such gil
gantic movement.
While Nihilsm received it's baptism in
1862, it was by no means the first secret
society organized TO secure to the people
some recognition of their rights as sub
jects. Nicholas assembled the throne
through bloodshed, when the principal
streets of the capital city ran red with the
blood of the victims of the frightful earn
age. This occurred December 10, 1926,
those remaining of the heroic band were
called Decembrists.
The object of the revolution was to pre-
vent Nicholas ascending the throne, and
instead the formation OF q constitutional
government, with Constantine Pavlo-
witch at its head. The leaders of the De-
cembristS were such men as PeStel, Ry-
lief, Bestuzuff and Moravief Apostol,
all of whom expiated their crime ON the
gallows. While Nicholas condemned
many Decembrists TO death and exiled
many more TO the Siberian mines, there
yet remained sufficient number unsus-
pected to continue the work their fallen
leaders had began. ISLANDER Hertzen es-
capped to London, and established the
-Koi0k0l (Bell), a revolutionary journal,
which lived but short time. HertZen
died in Switzerland, an exile under SEN
tenae of death by his native land. He
was brilliant, meteoric character, who
dazzled the world of Europe for a short
space, but was soon forgotten
The chief aim of such men as HertZen
was to annihilate the Gar, nobility and
the entire priesthood. That accomplished
they were to form representative gov
eminent, with an equal division of land.
The brilliancy OF the scheme fascinated
many prominent persons, and as the re-
suit numerous secret societies Sprang up
in all parts of the land, the chief among
them being Malodaya Rossia young Rus
sia). Zemlia VOLTA land and Freedom)
was organized in 1874, and in 1878 was
subdivided into Varodnia VOLTA Peoples
Will and Chorni Peredel BLACK
Division).
The first-named division was composed
of extreme Terrorists, who believed in
no halfway measures to secure their
rights. The leaders were Mikhaileff, Tx
homeroff, Kwidtkovski, Leo Hartman
and Sheriyeff, together with Sophie Pc
Sl-ai fcinna hanpaHA and nfhQIS
The Chorni Peredel (Black Division) held
more moderate views, and believed their
mission could be accomplished peace
fully. Fortunately this party is in the
majority. The leaders were Plekhanoff
and Lavroff. There is yet a third party,
who are striving for a constitutional gov
eminent, with the house of Romanof at
its head. Dragomanotf, lately of Geneva
and Paris, now in London, was the leader.
Liberal ideas first found expression
through the press in the journals Soure-
aateniA lConitemPy9Trary ana nd, Rsssoy ;;
Qalely deceased) was one of the most
noted contributors, and was exiled to ST.
IBERIA for his connection with these jour
nails, which were suppressed in 1865.
Other contributors were Mikhaileff, the
poet; Schadrin, the humorist; Nebrassoff,
the poet; Dobroluboff Pessareff and
Nietchaieff, all prominent men OF the
time. Nietchaieff, who sought refuge in
Switzerland, was in 1870 given up on de-
mand of the Russian Government for
completely in the assassination of Ivanoff,
a Nihilist, who betrayed the secrets of
the society.
From 1858 to 1872 comparative freedom
of the press existed. which the liberal
party eagerly embraced for the dissent
nation of their ideas, On June z, 1872,
the Car issued orders to the Minister of
the Interior to use whatever mode of
punishment he deemed most expedient
Tor the suppression of and undue freedom
of the press. Since that time the press
has experienced one long course of per-
secution, suppression and suspension.
Tourgieneff's book, previously men,
toned, intended as a satire on the rising
generation, fell like a bomb in their
midst, and produced the opposite i'm
preston from that intended. 1t aroused
feeling of hostility against those in
power which nothing can ever Subdue.
The story in many points, is weak, and
shows poor comprehension of the sub
ject dwelt with. 1t takes a powerful mind
to faithfully portray the lights and shad-
ows of the past and present of the social
and political life of the Russian people.
In 1870, the Nihilists having steadily in
creased in power, began to take more de-
cided measures for the propagation of
their ideas. The young people OF both
sexes Travelled to distant parts of the En-
pire, where under various guises they
mingled freely with the peasants and
soldiers, circulating their literature, and
imbuing them with Revolutionary tenden-
cies. In this work the women played the
most important part, many of them
throwing off the cares of rank and
wealth, and boldly sharing the peasant
wife's labors, all to inspire a spirit of free
dom in the poor crushed soul.
In the schools and colleges the young
of both sexes are nearly all converts to
Nihilisra and no restrictions no nrnsecI-