A Herzen Reader

The Bell, No. 229, November i, i866. In "The Gallows and Muravyov," which was written soon after Karakozov's execution and appeared in no. 228, Herzen reacted to the chaos that ensued from having "an absolute monarch who rules over nothing" (Gertsen, Sobranie sochinenii, i9:i37-38). He wondered whether a historian with the combined abilities of Tacitus and Dante could be found to capture this historical mo­ment. Here, Herzen continues to explore different aspects of the Karakozov theme, which dominated his lead articles for much of i866. At the top of the first page of issue no. 229, Herzen made his views clear with the words "THERE IS NO PLOT!" (ZAGOVORA NE BYLO!) in large capital letters. In chapter i2 of Past and Thoughts, Herzen told the story of another conspiracy, the one that was manufactured about an i834 gathering that he did not attend, but which nevertheless resulted for him in jail and years of exile.

The Question of a Plot [1866]

The conspiracy that many suspected after Karakozov's shot is revealing it­self more and more. Over and above the individual rumors, L'Independance and the Kolnishche Zeitunghave dropped two or three remarkable hints. It is clear that Muravyov stood at the head of the plot consisting of advocates of serfdom, old fools, and the reactionaries in general. The Kolnishche Zeitung says that he retired because the sovereign was displeased with police pranks and began to suspect the reason for the excessive zeal. A few days before the commission shut down, Muravyov left for the countryside, "where he was sent documents," say the Russian newspapers.¹ But how could he have dared to leave, not having completed a matter of such importance? To bless a church is hardly an urgent matter. He left in disfavor. One of his chief ac­complices was the first to untie his cart from the drowned beast. The Moscow Gazette was very modest in its laments over the grave of the new Pozharsky² (not even having become a prince, which Muravyov really wanted).

In this matter the sovereign behaved in as unsteady and foolish a way as in all other matters. Instead of naming another commission over Mu­ravyov's and following along fresh tracks all the tricks of the black Russian gang, he did not even order the publication of Muravyov's papers, and lim­ited himself to freeing the Perm infantry of the executioner's name. Now, of course, it is a bit late to learn about the entire intrigue, although it is still possible.

Notes

Source: "Po delu zagovora," Kolokol, l. 229, November i, i866; i9:i60, 423-24.

Muravyov had gone to his estate near Petersburg for the dedication of a new church, and died there the night of August 28, i866. His intention had been to declare the com­mission closed on the August 3i.

Prince Dmitry M. Pozharsky (i578-c. i64i), together with Minin, headed a force that liberated Muscovy in i6ii-i2 from Swedish and Polish invaders.

♦ 92 +

The Bell, No. 230, December i, i866 (Part I); Nos. 23i-32, January i, i867 (Part II); and No. 233-34, February i, Й67 (Part III). Herzen's notes indicate that he intended to con­tinue this essay in subsequent issues. The first part is devoted to Europe, and Herzen reveals a greater optimism about social and political change than he had expressed in the aftermath of i848, with its return to reactionary regimes and popular lethargy. The article below was written in October i866, under the influence of the founding congress of the First International held in Geneva, and the thoughts it stimulated in Herzen (Let 4:297). Part II is a transition from the situation in Europe and the ideas of the utopian socialist Blanqui to Russia, where the promise of Alexander II had gradually dissipated and any influence The Bell might have had on him had been greatly reduced. Part III continues the theme of Russia, ending with an embrace of the i862 Land and Liberty banner. Radicals objected to Herzen's characterization of St. Petersburg activists, and Serno-Solovyovich's brother Alexander answered "Order Triumphs!" with a brochure that called Herzen "a poet, artist, performer, storyteller, novelist, anything you want, only not a political activist and even less a theoretician and founder of a school" (Let 4^ 39^2-93⁾.

Order Triumphs!

[1866-1867]

L'ordre regne a Varsovie!

—Sebastiani, 1831

I

If Sodom and Gomorrah perished in as interesting a manner as the old or­der in Europe is perishing, then I am not at all surprised that Lot's wife did not turn back in time, knowing that she would be punished.

Having just come to the end of the year 1866, we are drawn to glance backward.

What a year!.. Both abroad and at home—it was a fine one, and it cannot be said that it was lacking in events.