THE REIGN OF TERROR IN RUSSIA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 170, 16 August 1879, Page 3

THE REIGN OF TERROR IN RUSSIA.

The leaders of the Nihilists have succeeded in their object, for they have terrorised the Czar and the Government of Russia. That was certainly their object, for they had not found it difficult in procuring tools to kill prefects and chiefs of police. It is impossible to too strongly condemn secret societies which include in their object the destruction of human life,- but it is idle to waste indignation upon men who are doubtless inaccessible to considerations of humanity. The Russian people are perturbed because they have not succeeded in the grand design of replacing the Russian for the Byzantine Empire, and because they see that their blood has been shed to obtain for the Sclavs’ of the South liberties which they themselves are strennosly denied. The war in which Russia was lately engaged had apolitical motive at home. It was hoped by a great success abroad to withdraw the attention of the Russian people from their own miserable and oppressed condition. Tim success which has been accv.np'ishcd has only enabled the people to sec more clearly hew deep

their political and social degradation is and how much greater it is because they have been called upon to make great sacrifices for others. Th ■ system oi government is doomed. It D imp.-ssibl-lor a nation to live if the people are m l in a fit condition tor self-government. If they are fit and are denied the right of sell-government it is impossible for any absolute system to stand The French wit who said a hundred 3 r ears ago that the Government of the Czar was ‘ absolute tempered only by assassination,’ might, if he now lived, say tliat it has ceased to be absolute bcause it is tempered by terror. There is martial lav/ in Russia, and the Czar on receiving a loyal address from the municipal Council of St. Petersburg addressed the members with as much sterness as if he felt that half of them were Nihilists disguise!. It is not improbable that Nihilists have penetrated into every rank of life, for of course a military system cannot last, and hopes will be entertained that under any new system there may bo scope for the ambition of citizens. A regiment of Don Cossacks refused to inarch when it was understood to be likely to be, employed against the civic enemy. It is idle to hope to keep down political reform. Coercion has been tried all the. world over and has always failed, and always must fail except where the middle classes support the Government. In Russia there is no development for the abilities of the people. They arc bound hand and foot to an exclusive system which only provides for an imported aristocracy and for a few families. The Czar, if ho is wise, will make civil concessions ; for bankrupt, unsuccessful, and absolute, it is impossible for Russia to live as a Great Power.