New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-31
PERSECUTION IN RUSSIA.
A SECT OF PEASANTS INCURS THE HATRED
OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH.
st. Petersburg. March 8,

epiritual head of his people has been manifested
not merely in the relentless persecution of the
Hebrews. the enforced conversion of princesses
of German blood and the withdrawal Of privileges
from people OF Protestant faith. The members
Of the "Stunda," sect which first came into
prominence few years ago, have now been placed
under the Imperial ban and are Obliged to cope
with difficulties to which even the Israelies have
hardly been subjected The essential articles of
the creed of the Stundists are simple. They be-
lieve that the worldly power of monarchs was
established by God, and that it is a good and
necessary Institution for the children of this
world" In their opinion, however. genuine
Christians-among whom they reckon themselves
are not Of this world and are not necessarily
subject to the dictates Of mundane rulers. Their
moral code is upheld with fanatical strctness and
the lives of the Stundsts spotless and pure.
Although they theoretically deny the authority
Of temporal rulers they live in strict accord with
the laws of the Empire. Even officers Of the
Government and priests Of the Orthodox Church
acknowledge that they are peaceful, law-abiding
subjects. They have charged them with no
specific crimes. but they justify the measures
which have been taken to check the spread of the
scot. and declare necessary the bardships which
have been placed upon its votaries.
For years the devotees of the new religion have
been unmolested But the Government author-
ties have suddenly decided that the Stunda is in
reality political movement in the garb of religion
They declare that it has been managed by Nihlists
and Socialists. who despair of accomplishing their
ends by terrorism and assassinations. and rightly
believe that they can SOW no better revolutionary
seed than by spreading creed which denies the
spiritual power of the Gar and encourages oppos-
ton TO the Orthodox faith, and who are preparing
the way for mighty upheaval by preaching
new religion.
The Stundists have already been the subjects
Of discussion by the Holy Synod. which favors
the steps taken for their suppression. The adher-
ents of the sect are most numerous in che western
and southwestern parts of Russia. The five depart
ments of Kiefr are. in fact their home From there
the Stundsts propagandism is made by workmen
and peasants who seek employment in other dis
triots of the Empire. Henceforth however, the
passports of all Stundists who leave Kief are to
contain the name Of the sect which is made equiv
alent to a criminal brand Men whose passports
show their adhesion to the new religion are to be
excluded from employment on railroads. in facto-
ries. industrial establishments and in mills The
police are empowered to Danish them from all cities
ind TO force them to return to the provinces whence
they came But these far reaching attacks uron
Individual hberty-which in Russia is almost I'M
known-are only phases of the persecution. Stud
aists who have children are to be
placed under the guardianship of the
priests and governmental officers in order
to insure the education of their offspring in
the creed Of the Orthodox Church Russian law
which is almost parody upon the name-it will
be remembered, permits children to be taken
from their parents when it becomes evident that
thy have not received proper instruction in the
national religion. The Stundists are, of course
deprived of the freedom of worship and of the
privilege of erecting chapels in which to hold
religious services II is even intended to with
draw from them the right of appeal to the Supreme
Court, in order that there may be no delay in the
execution Of sentences imposed upon them. The
police and soldiers are to guard carefully against
any violation of the new regulations. People
anxiousy ask one another What will be the
result Of such persecution? 1t is believed
that the Stundists will become martyrs for their
religion that these men and women, who have
been docile and obedent, will rise in rebellion
against such persecution, and will eventually de-
feat the objects and intentions of an unwise Gar.
The removal of Prince Dolgorukoff as Governor
General of Moscow caused great surprise to the
sedate inhabitants of that once Imperial city.
The liberal ideas, unostentatious ways and simple
bearing of the Prince had endeared him to the
people over whom he ruled For more than
quarter of century he represented the Gar
in Moscow. As he had reached the advanced age
Of fourscore years. the citizens believed that he
would end his days in possession of the honor
able Office which he had filled long. But Dol
gorukof disciple of the liberal policy preva-
lent under Alexander H., which has been rcegated
to the past. His removal, in the eyes of the
new regime, had therefore, become a necessity
Of the times. He has fallen, in fact, into semi
disgrace. He was not treated in the manner Gus
-, ~, of ,1Io ND
tinguished lineage. The note in answer to his
enforced resignation failed to enumerate his dis
tinctions or his virtues, and CURLY signed
Alexander" There no declaration of
gard affection gratitude for his services.
Various causes led to Doleorukofs downfall.
He was not in sympathy with the Pan-Slavonic
programme nor with the classification
of the foreign elements of the En-
pire. He has always been known as friend
Of the Germans of Moscow. who were favorite
guests at his receptions The patriots" sub
jected him to severe criticism for attending the
Lutheran Church upon the recent anniversary Of
the death of Emperor William. But his friendly
policy toward the Hebrew race. especially since
the publication of the recent DEGREES, has been
especially annoying TO the Gar. In fact. Hebrews
locked to the gold-domed city during the last
years OF his governorship. His friendship and
protection, however, resulted, it has been said
from the money which he received and not from
sympathy for the down-trodden people. At any
rate. his disregard of the wishes of the Car re-
garding the Hebrews. together with another in
discretion, was the immediate cause of his down.
fall.
number of citizens Of Moscow displeased with
certain laws and regulations prepared an address
TO the Gar. Dolgorukof sent it TO st. Peters
burg The address asked for changes so radical
that the authorities at the capital decided not to
publish it in the official gazette. But Dolgorukof,
convinced of the justice of the demands, entirely
dsregarded the plans of the Car and gave the
address TO the public through the Moscow press
The Car would not forgive this indiscreation.
Much TO the regret of many people, the