Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-09
-. From the London .Ne,c MONTH";, Naga-ine
THOUGHTS ON THE INDIAN SUTTEE.

So long as we are rather clanloured than philosoph-
lied into greater part of our opinions, it will be
matter of some peril to utter word in behalf of
many things that nevertheless may be susceptible of
excuse. It is enough they in the inder erpurga-
toriour Of hose who profess the fashionable mora-
~ OF the times; and no one. unless he is candidate
fT dO Alright abhorrence of half the decent res
nsc.dble aad we'll dressed persons he meets with in
society, Wjhli breathe or whisper apology for
them. Candid reasoners, indeed, may admit there is
wido distinction between excuse. which is merely
relative, and defence, which rests upon unQual-
;ied and absolute principle. But where are candid
-casoncis TO De fouaH Upon the subject Of the re-
lgous c1stafs of native subjects in India, there
are e bundled unthinking declaimcrs to candid
-easoneT u might be thought, however, that under
Standings capsbie Of extended survey flour nature,
and familiar, by Of such inquiries, with that CO.
p:ous chapter OF Its and obhqutes which simp-
nd IN the word superstition" would be aware that
there many palliations that charity or philosophy
may suggest for religious usagcs, however alien from
best feelings and the genius and spirit of Christ
anity, lnqucstionaby the only perfect wisdom which
has jet beaned up,n mankind. Indeed, the most
heated enthusiasts for diisng the Christian faith in
India dsavow the idea of appealing force; not III at
there Is any great magnanmity in the disclaimer
seeing how rdiculously inadequate to that end must
be all the force they could summon. But the very
same persons, when they talk Of specific rites and
ceremonies, although part and parcel ofthc ancient
superstition ofInda, and entwined with it bya coe
val root and simultaneous growth in one moment
forget the forbearance they profess, and feel no
0euCaCy IN Cdlup lot RESTRICTIVE measures to
suppress them as nuisances and denominations.
Fake that singular usage for instance, OF which so
much more has been said or written than is UNDER
stood, the Suffice, the sefmmolation of the Hin
doc widows upon the funeral pile of their deceased
husbands. You will perceive the marked nconsis-
tcucy between the polite tolerance they think it pru
dent to entertain towards the Hindoo religion gene
rally, and the zeal with which they recommend the
compulsory restriction of its vital and essential parts
or what is still considered to be SO in India Happi.
~, however, it is zeal which, for the present must
centent itself with being merely a verbal ono.-
Words, words, my Lord" seem to be the coin in
which the universal philanthropy Of the day dschar
res its debts. Were it otherwise than verbal, de-
ilurcatons ike these would be omnous to the u,re
of India, and to tho stability of our Indian empire
for they evince total departure from every maxim
Of reason, Justice and policy, that has hitherto infu
encedeour relations TO that country. a fey years
agp., vsiSt woeld have been thought of petition
signed by ono solitary gentleman, and actually pre-
sented TO Parliament calling for an immediate pcna
enactment against this very practicc--one Of the re
lgious ecremonials of people removed from the mn
tnral sphere Of ecclesiastical legislation not more
by pbysicai distance than the strongest discrnina
ton which Providence has impressed on tho ya-iou
fsmiljes of mantind and that usage, ~ integral por
ton Of immense pile Of opinions OF errors that ,n
ring a long cycle Of ages have become wrought as
were into their moral identity. But as no practical
results are likely to follow, the worthy petitioner
at liberty expatiae the vast field ne has open
ed for the overowinps Of his benevolenco and wan
der nnrestraned amidst the soothing dream Of huma
amelorstion that float before his entranced vision
with the whole chart Of Brahminical supersttiont
AL tho
"7srasrn relyio pofuh suadere nd'o,7pn"
of IIindoston unfoded before him. Against these
Inns tho constitutional right Of pettoniDg by lines
latitude and ongitudeand this without tho Sigh
appeal to his pocket, OF any Tux or bnrthfn but IN
paper On which he ingrcsscs his petition. A specie
ofphilsnthropy. which, happily for the peace OF In
sa'is us noisecss and inaudble, az IT IS economical
FOR after being consigned by The solemn requiem cor
dered IN lie on the table," tothat limbo of unamcndc
grievances aud forgotten wrongs. "a bourne frot
vdoh no traveller returns, II viii coop expire IN N
49,, cuthapasias.