HARD LOT OF THE DOUKHOBORS.
THE Chicago Inter-Ocean tells a pitiable story of the colony of Doukhobors, who, being expelled from Russia, were brought over by the Canadian Government and settled in the Northwest. They had hardly put foot in the country, in a state of absolute poverty and dependence, when they were beset by the ministers of the many rival sects that abound in Canada, to join their different denominations. Satisfied with their own simple and practical form of Christianity, they repelled all the overtures made to them, and so came to be regarded as little better than heathen. Then petty persecution began. The patriotic British immigrants and settlers in their vicinity accused them of disloyalty for not participating in the rejoicing that followed the relief of Ladysmith, and other events in South Africa, following up their accusations by acts of menace and violence. They were also described as anarchists because they would not work for less than customary wages, and inflammatory literature, which would have as much effect among them as a lighted torch thrown into water would have, was said to be sown broadcast among them. A portion of the French press took up the cry and went for them on religious and racial grounds, and altogether the poor Doukhobors found themselves in a very embarrassing dilemma. They found not only the people among whom they had come inhospitable, but the climate unpropitious, and began looking about for some more favorable surroundings. They were persuaded to come to California, but they found that, while despotic Russia had driven them out, free Canada would not let them go out from her domain when they wanted to do so. Effort was made by agents of the Ottawa Government to persuade them to remain; but this failing, other means were adopted. It was represented to the United States agent at Pembina, on the frontier, that the Doukhobors had been engaged to come to California under labor contract. Of course this blocked the way, and at present they are constrained to remain. So they find a hard lot in America as well as in Russia.