The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1894-05-31

tho Spoliation OF Foreigners English,
Language Coming Into General Use.
We have travelled moro than 3, 500
miles i'll India, have seen it's grandcst
scenery, it's largest and most interest
ing cities, its most fertile and some Of
its desert regions. We have found in
Delhi, Agra, Benares, Ambur and All
madabad the best examples of Hindoo
and Mohammcdan architecture or
course there is much wo have not seen.
Tho Drayidical temples of tho south Of
India, remarkable for their sizo and
elaborate decorations, bost illustrated ut
Tanjore and Madura, we can only Judge
by small specimens seen at Madras and
Pondicherry. The wonderful cave tenn
pies at Ellora, Ajunta and many other
places we have got fair conception of
from that of Elephanta One could
spend years exploring India without ex-
hausting it's layers Of civilization. We
have endeavored to intclligcntly study,
by observation and reading ell route,
tho ethnology, sociology and theology
Of the country. We have missed no op-
portunity to talk with British officials
and educated natives. We have looked
into the work of tho missionaries and
como to the conclusion thut they are do
ing II great deal of good, though not cx.
actly in the way it is popularly untlcr-
stood at home. think may say.that
our travels in India have materially
broadened our views Of Asiatic history
Especially have wo been impressed with
tho spectacle of an empire of $40, O0O,-
900 people Of different races and rcli-
gions, governed by q handful of Euro
peans, and in the main well governed,
with largo measure of liberty, as per-
feet protection of life and property as is
provided in tho most civilized countries
OF Europe and increasing means Of cd
ucation. Tho universities and colleges
scattered over India arc turning out an
nually thousands of educated natives.
1t is Il curious fact that the Indian who
speaks English speaks it without accent
and rather better than tho average Of
English OF Americans Nearly all of tho
schools above the primary grade teach
English, and III the majority of thcm it
is the medium of education. More than
half of the native newspapers and peri
odicals, which arc numerous and well
conducted, arc printed III English.
do not think it Il wild prediction
that English will be essentially the lam
guago of Indi;t IL hundred years hence
1t is curious to contemplate what will
be tho political result of the education
of tho Indian people. viii they be con.
tent, especially those Of tho Aryan race
capable of high development, with tn,
! shadow Of a government which is some
times driven to its wits ends with it
| own domestic problems, in group O.
little islands 8, 600 miles away? For the
present l can scarcely conceive of 4
greater calamity for India than the fail
ure of Great Britain to hold and govern
the country. 1t would bo the signal for
anarchy, which would entail tho destruc-
tion Of tho people and seriously obstruct
the onward march Of human progress.
India is poor country. Its fabulous
wealth has been carried off by conquer
ors or gathered into colossal fortunes
by the few rich. The great body of the
people are miserably poor. They barely
keep body and soul together and do not
store up any vital force to resist disease.
The failure Of one crop entails wide
spread distress The failure Of two in
succession means famine for millions
The government Is doing something to
improve tho conditions. In the last five
years canals have been built increasing
the area under irrigation about 25 per
cent. How much advantage the tiller Of
the soil gets from these improvements I
do not know. The government costs too
much, and tho people are taxed to tho
limit of endurance. The British India
civil service is called tho best in tho
world. 1t is undoubtedly tho NEST ex-
pensive. 1t costs Ell 200, 900 $685.
600, 000) year. Tho civil servant
serves III various capacities, from u
clerk to 10 lieutenant governor, for rs
years, four Of which are given for holi-
days, and retires with minimum pen
sion Of FL, 600 per annum. The cost of all
this comes ont Of the Indian people, and
their suporstitions and customs rob them
Of part Of what is left.
There are grave problems in India
and more to come, and to solve them
will require all tho talent which can be
secured. 1t is doubtful whether tho mer-
chants of London, the manufacturers Of
Manchester or tho hereditary aristocrats
who aro sent to hold vice regal courts in
Calcutta will solve them in tho interest
of the people of India, who aro today
about the poorest fed, clothed and
housed people OH earth Yet 7 cannot
but think that these people arc capable
of great things III tho future if they can
be properly nourished and educated.
Their bright, distinctly Aryan faces look
out appcalingly through surroundings
of squalor and superstition and give
promise of high development under ia
vorablc conditions. Indeed wo SEQ
splendid specimens of manhood among
them today, and their graceful courtesy
shamcs our ruder manners Cor. Bos-
ton Herald.
Serving Toast.
Dry toast should be served directly