THE NIHILISTS' PROGRAMME.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 21 August 1880, Page 2

THE NIHILISTS' PROGRAMME.

The Daily Telegraph Berlin correspondent writes: —" The programme contained in the last issue of the Nihilist publication, the ' Narodnaja Wola,' states, tha | the object of the Revolutionary party i j to wrench power from the existing Government, and to give it to, an Assembly proceeding from the freely-expressed suffrage of the people, whose duty it will be to revise the Russian State and social institutions, reforming the same in accordance with instructions from the electors, This course involves the following stipulations :1. A peimanent national representation constituted on the above principles, and endowed with full powers in all State matters. 2. An extensive self-govern.weat of the country, which will be secured by the election of all functionaries and the autojioifly pf the communes. 3. The independence of the communes as economical and administrative oiroumscriptions. 4. Radical reforms of the land tenure in favor of peasantry. 5. The introduction of measures tending to place all manufactories and industrial establishments in the possession of the artisans. 6. Entire freedom of . conscience, of speech, of publication, of meeting, of and of electoral agitation. 7. Universal suffrage, without privilege of ! birth, rank, or fortune. The substitution of a National Guard in place of the army., The second part of the programme sets forth the practical means to bo employed by the revolutionary party for attaining their ends. j(,._ Active propaganda and agitation. 2. Active destruction and terror. The object of spreading terror by making away with the most obnoxious Government and official by protecting the parties, from spies, by the resentment of acta of vi,olsn<;e and caprice on the part of the Government, and so on, .being to undermine the prestige of the ruling powers j to furnish proofs of jthe possibility of fighting against the ! Government, and thus to excite the revolutionary spirit of the people and their confidence in the cause of the revolution; and, finally, to create efficient and devoted forces with which to continue the struggle, 8. The organisation of secret societies and the centralisation of the same, 4. The attainment of influential positions and the acquisition of influence in the administration of the army and over the people. 5. Organisation and development of rebellion. As the Government can, by means of repressive measures of a partial pacification postpone and prevent a general revolutionary outbreak for a considerable time, the party must take the initiative of active rebellion into their- awn hands; and on no conditions should they allow the moment to escape when the people might share the initiative. ;6. Electoral agitation for the Constituent Assembly. However the rebellion may be brought about, whether it be by means of an independent, revolution or of a conspiracy, it will be the duty of a revolutionary party to convoke the Constituent Assembly At onoe, and to intrust it with the provisional government.