The record-union., 1891-02-02
ing informed the police of the meeting of

oAOO11
ing informed the police of the meeting of
a few Nihilists.
The society next issued proclamation
declaring its intention of putting to death
all spies it discovered. Such high handed
proceedings caused a panic among the
secret police of the country, when, by
order OF the Car, the following manifesto
was issued: In view of the frequency of
late of the commission of numerous
political crimes, having clearly the char
acter OF disobedience and resistance to the
governing powers, His Imperial Majesty
recognizes secret band of insurgents,
who, inspired by social, revolutionary
and other theories, would destroy the
Constitution of the State, said secret band
refusing to recognize the necessity of
social laws, the right of property, the
sacredness of the marriage tie-even GO
ing the length of denying the existence of
a God; band which is willing to employ
any means, no matter how infamous, in
the carrying out of their plans. They
boldly commit the most atrocious crimes,
destroy the public peace and endanger
the power OF the State, the sacred duty of
which is to protect society and Illustrate
criminal intentions. The constant repe-
tition of these unheard-of crimes de-
mands the Immediate institution Of such
measures as will infiict the severest pun
lshment. For that reason we order that
all the above-mentioned eases be tried
under the jurisdiction of special courts,
and punishment be enforced according to
the criminal code; that all persons charged
with using arms In resisting the agents of
the Government, the military or police
are to be tried by the military courts, and
sentenced in accordance to Code 200 of the
year 1879. This order applies to all cases
not consigned to the ordinary courts.''
From the above manifesto Won can
readily understand what power Mill
ism has become in Russia. The great
secret society is administered in the fol-
lowing manner: Six members, if SO dis
posed. are privileged to form separate
circle, always subject to the governing
laws of the main body. They are en-
powered to enroll new members, and in
every way conduct the business of the
circle. In the admission of candidates
the greatest caution is enjoined. The
casting of two blackballs is sufficient to
exclude a person.
Once candidate is elected he is, with
out the slightest warning, taken from his
home and blind-folded, driven to meet
ing of the Nihilist Circle of which he has
been accepted member. With eyes,
still bandaged, you are arraigned before
the chairman of the meeting, who, in a
low voice, puts some very startling ques-
tionS, which you, on your honor, are ex-
pected to answer truthfully. You must
be ready to sacrifice life for the cause if
necessity demands it. You are compelled
to make promises, which you do in the
enthusiasm of the hour, but which when
you look back to them, after more mature
years, cause feeling of horror to possess
you that you so wantonly gave your
word as to the sacrifice of life. Self and
friends, ii need be, were to be inundated
on the altar of Nihilism. The Nihilistic
or Iron Oath could not possibly be more
binding. You swear to use every lawful
and unlawful means to uproot the exist
ing form of government. Life must be
nothing more than a bauble in your
hands. You swear to protect and further
the interests OF the party, no matter what
the cost. And much more in the same
strain.
a narrator says that after the oath had
been administered he was ordered to re-
move the bandage from his eyes. This he
willingly did, and for the first time saw
the mixed assembly into whose midst he
had been led. The room was dimly
lighted, to avoid suspicion, but he saw
seated around members of the Imperial
Guard, Government officials, professors,
of both sexes, merchants, peas
ants and one or two gendarmes. Some of
the ladies present have since met violent
and brutal deaths.
In the corner of the room sat Sophia
Perovskai,. calm and dignified, full of her
great purpose. 1t was the first time and
also the last he saw her, for soon after she
met death at the hangman's hands. Funds
were collected, reports from various
provinces read, and much business of a
routine character gone through with,
when the meeting was declared adj
journed. How little we dreamed of the
darl,ly impending fate hanging over some
Of those present. When next we met,
some months after, how sadly the de-
voted little band had been thinned, and
yet how futile their efforts, time has
shown. When Nihilist circle has
reached the number of sixty, it is SUBJ
divided into ten smaller circles of six
each. This precaution is taken
to prevent any great number of arrests
at one time, and also to disarm police sus-
picion.
Nihilism has become passion with the
Russian people, and the mystery which
envelops the organization but adds to its
fascination. Each member contributes
according to his means. The money is
spent in the dissemination of liberalism,
in the purchase of arms and in aiding
those in need. Some of it even finds its
way to the exiles in Siberia.
l do not know that / ever saw the ques-
ton discussed as to the causes which
NluluSlll Is UlStlHctly dtLTlDutdDlG.p InaC
many do exist we have every evidence
Chief among them is the immense growth
of the proletariat. At the time of the
proclamation no such
thing as an agricultural proletariat was
known: but IN 1871, ten years later, it
was an established fact that the percent
age of proletarianism was 5, 10, even Is
per cent. in some districts.
The Russian agrarian question has al
ways been a perpleXing one, more espe-
cially so since the liberation of the serfs.
Soon after, when the division of land was
made, no provision was made for prob
able increase of population, and even at
that time the portion of land allotted to
each peasant was insufficient to supply
the needs of himself and little family.
In addition to payment for the land,
heavy taxes were imposed, burden far
too heavy for the recently liberated peas
ant to bear. He had no idea of manage
ment; he had to be educated to it. The
little home gradually slipped from his
grasp, until at last, with many sigh, he
it altogether, and with his
family went forth to seek employment in
some of the large cities. After all, the
old days of serfdom were better for the
peasant than the present system of land
tenure. The tchinovniks (officials), the
children ofpriests and the poorer no.
bility go to swell the proletariat.
Further cause of Nihilism is traceable
to the police and spy system of the EN-
pire. 1t is believed that in St. Petersburg
alone there are over fifty thousand police