The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-08-29
The Revolt In India.

But this revolt is great fact, and omin-
Gus to the English Eastern Empire. 1t is
obviously so regarded in England. The
gradual sinking of the funds may be in part
attributed to the certainty of great expense
being incurred and the debt being increased
but the tone of the debates in Parliament
clearly shows that thinking men soc before
them an uncertain and gloomy picture. AS
the philosopher of old was startled fro u his
careless sceptcism by thunder under an azure
sky, the British 'statcsman-in a season Of
unbOunded confidence and triumph-is sud-
denly awakened by the crumbling in day
of the splendid fabric Of his colonial empire.
He was pleasantly dreaming Of annexing
China; he is aroused by the eminent danger
of losing India. Herat evacuated-Persia
easily and rapidly humbled-Russia interior
ence removed-Scinde conquered-Oude an
nexed-in this hour of universal success, a
deep.laid and Widespread conspiracy covered
with its net work the old and tranquil prov
inoes Of the empire, and turned into fanatical
hostility the long trained and obedent ar
mics by which these conquests were effected
Dsrael, whose acute and penetrating mind
seems to find its appropriate development in
the department of foreign affairs, and whose
him access to accurate Information, gives us
remarkable exhibition of tho charaoteris-
TIC means by which the signals of rebellion
were spread among the HindOos. Cakes
of mystical meaning were scattered among
the innumerable villages and lotus flowers
having mysterious Specification, were circu-
lated among the Sepoy soldiery. English
minds cannot yet perceive the significance OF
these symbols, but their effects were not
those imputed to the "mind eyed" melan-
choly lotus-eaters of Alfred TennysOn.
In reading the letters of Englishmen who
escaped from Delhi, Merut, and other seats of
the revolt, nothing is more fearful than the
sudden and utter disappearance Of every
means of power or even rescue. The rising
was universal. Every native of every rank
was rebel and an enemy. Where the sun
rose upon order, and discipline, and official
gradatons of ranks, and Obcdient soldiery
and artillery and fortresses, evening saw the
whole fabric of society dissolved, and few
trembling survivors of the governing class
flying, in hopeless panic, in disguise and
through by-ways, to some distant English
station.
England may put down this rebellion, or,
if it be temporarily successful, may and prob
ably will conquer Hindoostan. The English
power is Immense, and will be exerted to the
utmost in the contest. But permanent es-
/ Establishment of the English government, fix
ing its roots in the country and becoming
naturalized with the soil appears to US i'm
possible. For hundred years the English
have possessed Ind a-and how? They have
been encampcd in the country, an isolated
military caste, alien from the population,
gaining no accession in numbers, governing
by the sword.
The effect on England of the loss Of India
has been discussed on both sides OF the At
lantic. Mr.. Roebuck, in a debate in Parlia-
ment, said. eff we lose India, we lose the
world y and some writer's anticipate that
with the loss of this magnificent appendage
England will sink to the condition OF Spain
or even of Portugal. These are not oul
views. The British isles-with their abund
ant population their healthfnl climate
their scientific agriculture their mines o.
iron and coal their boundIess manufactur
ing resources their stormy seas, the nurser
les Of hardy seamen their vigorous nationa
character their regulated liberty; thei
science, arts and literature-wOuld still be :
leading power among nations, if Asia were
torn from their grasp.
But the loss would be great. The gran
deur of the British monarchy would hegone
India has been the glory of the English an
nails, for history has recorded no achievement
parallel to that which brought the natives o
a cold Atlantic island, near the Arctic circle
to be coDquerors and kings under the trop
of Cancer" 1t has been a source Of her won
derful opulence, the outlet of her fry spirit
the school of instruction of her statesmen
the nursery Of her generals. 1t has, perhap
more than anything else, kept alive the heroi
clement in the national character, by openin.
bound ess field to enterprise and daring
~. Y. Post, 18th.