344 



a profound knowledge of principles indicates to be 

 the ' correct thing ;' but what f common sense' 

 dictates that the immediate exigencies of the case 

 requires, and consequently what absolute necessity 

 exists, for the Supreme Authority in India, exercising 

 such vigilant control as will prevent the best inter- 

 ests of mighty provinces being ruined and the people 

 from being cruelly oppressed. Centralization may 

 certainly be an unmitigated evil ; but centralization, 

 if it insures good or better Government, can only 

 be an unmixed good. 



If we examine this case carefully, it is not diffi- 

 cult to see that the evils commented on, originated 

 in a complete misunderstanding of the situation ; 

 and the application of a policy not only unsuited 

 to the country, but wholly inapplicable to the 

 circumstances of the case. And if proof be want- 

 ing that such is the truth clearer could not well 

 be obtained than from the fact that after two years 

 of inaction, the report of the Committee appoint- 

 ed to investigate the matter, did nothing more 

 than expose to the full glare of light the fright- 

 ful nature and extent of the sores that had been 

 allowed to fester under the very nose of the Govern- 

 ment,* and reiterate and confirm the statement 

 of the planters, made three years before, that 

 any system of immigration " to be successful, 



* The depot of Thakoor Lai la alluded to in the administration 

 Report of Bengal, is situated within a few hundred yards of the 

 Council Chamber. 



