Rationalism and radicalism exist to a certain extent in every country of
Europe. But the Social Democrats of Germany and Austria and the
Communists of France and Spain turn with horror from Russian
revolutionists, who consider the programme of the Paris commune of 1871
condemnably weak, and Felix Pyat, Cluseret and their companions as
little better than conservatives. The Social Democrats and even the
Communists of the rest of Europe have in view aims which, no matter how
fantastic, are always of a sufficiently defined nature. They look
forward to an entirely democratic form of government, and hope for a
recognization of the social world, under which all capital and property
would be held either by the State or Commune for the equal benefit of
everybody. They are levellers, but they are not destroyers. Take the
right of property from the citizens of a government and the greatest
motive to industry and prosperity is gone.
The revolutionary party in Russia has no definite aims of either
reorganization or improvement. In its sight everything as it now exists
is rotten, and before anything new and good can be created all existing
institutions must be utterly destroyed. Religion, the state, the family,
laws, property, morality, are all equally odious, and must be rooted out
and abolished. It is because "nothing," as it exists at present, finds
favor in their eyes that they have been called "Nihilists." They
maintain that no one should be bound by laws or even moral obligations
of any kind, but that every body should be allowed to do exactly as he
pleases. They desire to break up the actual social organization into
mere individualism, with entire independence for each separate person.
Their object is anarchy in the very truest sense of the word. They are
only modest enough to decline the attempt to create a new order of
things in the place of what they propose to destroy. That they intend to
leave for a better and more enlightened generation. The following, from
a Nihilist paper, Narodnia Volya (The Will of the People), which is
published at St. Petersburg by means of secret presses, will set them
forth in their true inwardness:
"The Russian press is bent almost double by the imperial government.
Notwithstanding its disagreeable position it does its utmost to curry
favor of its oppressors. Whenever thefts, murders, or incendiarisms take
place in Russia the press invariably attributes them to the Nihilists.
There is an old proverb which says, 'Slander, slander; some result will
always be obtained.' Judging from the tone of the press some result has
been obtained. According to its statements the Nihilists are little
better than wild beasts. We do not venture to assert that there are no
bad men in our ranks, but are yours entirely free from them? The number
of bad persons among the Nihilists is so very small that we need hardly
enumerate them. Since 1862 over 17,000 persons have been exiled to
Siberia for political offenses.
"You accuse us of adopting means of action which are unjustifiable in
every way. But what can we do? We are reduced to silence. We only adopt
questionable means of action very rarely, and then only in self-defense;
whereas you use them daily.
"The money obtained from private individuals by means of theft and
blackmail has not been levied by order of the 'committee,' but by
certain unscrupulous Nihilists acting on their own behalf. However, we
are all the more ready to admit that such things have been done when we
remember that only five such cases are known to have taken place.
"Do not accuse us of being murderers, because of our attempts to take
the life of His Most Sacred Majesty? Why, we would most gladly
accomplish his destruction, and he has only escaped until now in
consequence of the many cowards in our ranks! It has been stated that
Solowjew's attempt in April last has disturbed the rest and peace of
mind of many harmless and respectable citizens. Some of the Liberal
papers even go so far as to say that it will have the effect of
producing a reaction in favor of the government. Why, what idle and
stupid talk! These good newspaper proprietors, who love their ease and
their books, must have been asleep not to have perceived that the
reaction began sixteen years ago, not in favor of the government, but
against it.
"We are quite persuaded that if Solowjew's attempt had succeeded,
everybody would talk in a different manner, even the slaves and asses
who surrounded the throne would have rejoiced.
"Do not be surprised at these political assassinations, but rather be
astonished that they are not more frequent. Unfortunately for our cause,
the Nihilists are too humanitarian, and hence are incapable of carrying
out many necessary measures. Perhaps in time they will acquire the
aptitude necessary in critical moments; perhaps it will be your conduct
which will effect this change in them. Then in that case the
responsibility of terrorism and assassination will rest with you, and
not with us."
* * * * *
How many amusing and ridiculous scenes should we witness if each pair of
men that secretly laugh at each other were to do it openly!