Mackey – Encyclopedia Of Freemasonry Vol. 1

THE NIHILISTSjudicial procedure under which hundreds of persons weredragged away from their homes and families without trialof any kind, no one knowing what became of them. Wemay, however, surmise that many were sent to Siberia, sincein 1880 further prison accommodation had to be constructedin Eastern Siberia in consequence of the great influx ofpolitical prisoners .What I have stated as to the treatment of prisoners is butwhat is based on authentic documents . Had I quoted fromthe "underground" press, I should be accused of exaggeration;but taking the above statements only, does suchconduct become a civilised government?645 . Nihilist Emigrants.-It is difficult to estimate theirnumber . Many of them conceal themselves to escape theRussian spies scattered all over the Continent, and not toinvolve the countries affording them an asylum in diplomaticdifficulties. There may be about one hundred exiles inSwitzerland ; there are said to be about seventy in Paris,and perhaps fifty in London ; but these numbers can only beapproximate, and from the nature of circumstances, mustalways be changing . Some of these fugitives date from theearliest stages of the revolutionary movement before 1863,as, for instance, M. Elpidin, the bookseller, at Geneva . Others,like Lavroff, were involved in the conspiracies of 1866 and1869 . Others belong to the Socialistic propaganda, likePrince Krapotkine. Others, again, were members of the11 Land and Liberty " or " Black Division " parties . After1878 there was a large addition to the emigration .But few of these exiles have been able to save any portionof their property . Before engaging in the movement somesold their estates, others leased them to their relations, andallowed them to be burdened with debts, so that in theend but little remains to .be confiscated by the Government .Most, even those who receive assistance from home, arecompelled to rely on their own exertions . Some give lessonsin music, in Russian, in science ; others write for Russianand foreign newspapers . Others, again (about twenty), .areemployed in the three Russian printing-offices at Geneva ;and perhaps the same number practise the trades of locksmiths,carpenters, and shoemakers, which they once learnedfor the purposes of the propaganda. Many, unable to work,their mental and physical powers having been broken by longincarceration, are supported by the contributions of the party .To suppose, as it often has been supposed, that theNihilistic movement in Russia is directed by these emigrants,1