The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-30


VERA zAsSULITcH. MARIA sooBOTTN.
age. It represents the hope Of a nation
oppressed by ruler who is hereditary
and unimpeachable. It aims to estab
ish a fundamental principle of justice
the greatest good TO the greatest mum.
ber-and to weave humanity's sacred
birthright of liberty into the fabric OF
their native land. Here we have a
platform on which neither anarchy mol
socialism can possibly find a foothold.
tt needs but a glance to sense the alb
surdity of the triple juxtaposition.
Women In the Vanguard.
AS in all other efforts looking to the
uplifting of a race, many women are
found in the vanguard Of this move
ment. Indeed the history of the Rus
sian empire during the past 80 years
bears touching testimony to vyoman's in.
nate spirit Of self sacrifice on many Of
its revolutionary pages. Among the he
roic souls who gave up their lives and
their possessions to the cause of free
dom were some Of noble birth, while
there were others whose equal culture
and social standing resulted from the
education-denied them at home
which they were able to obtain in the
universities of foreign lands.
Foremost among the noted heroines
of nihilism was Sophia Perovskaya
Nobly born and splendidly educated,
this martyr had a peculiarly sad life
history. While yet an infant she was
deprived Of a mothers tender care and
was reared under the auspices Of a most
cruel father, who happened to be the
governor general of st. Petersburg
During the reign of Nicholas her grand
father was minister of the interior,
while the mOrganatic husband of the
Empress Elizabeth was another male
relative. At the age of Is Sophia was
considered one of the prettiest girls in
Russia, had the rank of a countess and
was invited to become maid of honor to
the empress. Her accepted lover was an
aid de-camp to the father of the present
car.
Until Sophia had reached the age Of.
maturity she believed her mother to be
dead, but she finally obtained some in
formation which led her to investigate
her family history and changed the
whole current Of her after life. She
learned that her father had most un-
justly driven her mother from her home,
and having endured not little of his
tyranny herself she determined on re-
venge. Her bitterness at length display
ed itself toward the government Of
which he was an Important officer.
The Countess Perovskaya an exile in
Switzerland, now sent woman TO her
daughter, whom the latter engaged as
a maid Sophia was thus placed in COM
munication with her long absent moth
er. Soon afterward she Joined nihisist
circle ia which her beauty and graces
of mind and character earned for her =
commanding position. But her father
quickly learned Of her conduct, and she
was obliged to Gee 20 the Swiss repub-
lie TO escape his wrath Shortly after
joining her mother. however, she re
turned in disguise TO ST. Peters burg and
became one of band Of conspirators.
She was promptly arrested. but was re-
leased through her fathers influence on
promising TO leave the country. for the
governor general feared the disgrace
which would follow the disclosure Of
his daughters completely with the nj
hliists.
Surprising Goodness.
Returning once more to the capital
Sophia took part in the conspiracy
which resulted in the death Of Alexan
der II. It was she who displayed the
signal for the throwing OF the bomb.
Although she was again arrested, her
fathers official influence prevented her
connection with the plot from becom-
ing known. But the brave girl refused
to let her companions suffer while she
went Free and on the day of the trial
she coolly walked into the courtroom
and declared her identity. Confessing
her guilt, she was promptly hanged
with the others who were condemned.
Second on the long list Of martyrs to
the cause of liberalism in Russia we
should place Vera Zassulitch This pa
tient heroine whom many have been
pleased to consider insane. was moved
10 commit murder in revenge of cruelty
to q political prisoner named Bog0lu
bof He and Vera belonged TO the same
group Of nlhilists. and during visit DIT
the chief of police General TrepCffl 20
the fortress IN which be was confined
BOgOlubof refused to remove his hat
His headgear was rudely knocked of BY
the irate general, who also directed that
the prisoner be given 100 iashes on his
bare back with the knout One Of the
prison guards happening &C be a nihilist
for they are found almost everywhere
in the empire--the news soon reached
his companions on the outer walls. A
committee of six was quickly formed,
which included Vera Zassuhtch. and
after some discussion the death Of Ire
pof was decided upon. On drawing lots
to determine who should committee the
deed. the choice fell upon the woman