igio] British Rule in India. 87 



they form a large part of the country. Each state has a British resident, 

 but they manage all their own internal affairs and Britain does not in- 

 terfere unless their rule becomes a farce. At the close of the mutiny 

 Britain cancelled the East India Co.'s charter and took over the admin- 

 istration, and from that time forward she has striven steadily and con- 

 sistently for the uplifting and bettering of the conditions of the peoples 

 of India, 



In this country with its democratic institutions, one is apt to think 

 that democratic government is the only possible government in which 

 people can enjoy full liberty and, that all other kinds of governments are 

 or savour of tyranny and oppression, but is that true? It may be that 

 for the Anglo-saxon, democratic government is the best, but does it 

 not depend very largely on the character of the people what government 

 will suit them best? Then can we honestly say that democratic govern- 

 ment has been a perfect success on this continent and that no better 

 government could be obtained? I trow not. I think that it is possible to 

 conceive of an autocratic government in which the people have no voice 

 in the administration, if wisely conducted and ably administered to be just 

 as good as or better than the most democratic and that under it the people 

 can enjoy just as much liberty and be as free as any in the world. I be- 

 lieve that that type of Government is to be found in British India. 

 Why should it not be so ? The British officials in India are of the same 

 race and blood as ourselves and are actuated by the same motives; they 

 belong to an old and honorable service, the finest civil service in the world, 

 and they are anxious to maintain the best traditions of that service. 

 How then could the British rule be otherwise than just and beneficent? 

 It seems to me that the principal duties of a government towards its 

 subjects are: — The preservation of peace, law and order, the honest 

 administration of justice, the proper development of the country in its 

 natural and manufactured products, providing transportation, pre- 

 servation of health, care of the sick, education and the amelioration of 

 the conditions of the people. It would make my lecture far too long if I 

 were to attempt to give a proper conception of what the British in India 

 are attempting to do alongthese different Hues, and I shall select only two 

 or three of the lines of activity which can only be fully appreciated by 

 those who have lived in the country. For the rest I shall simply say 

 that since the mutiny India has had peace,and law and order have been 

 established, while no greater tribute could be paid to the honesty and 

 impartiality of British judges than the universal desire throughout India 

 to have British rather than native judges to try any case that comes 

 before the courts. 



