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