The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-08-22
OAssE MAY BE BROKEN UP.


Indians are headed for the United
States, brings 10 mind some of the
peeuIiarities of the different races who
make up the population CT the densely
crowded Oriental country.
The Sikhs, some Of whom have left
their native land for this country are
warriors, and Great Britain has many
regiments Of them in service. These
fellows expect jobs upon the police
force when they arrive. The Punjabs
and the Mohammedans are not of so
much account.
The Hindoos. however, are the most
interesting. people of India on account
Of their religious ideas and the mar
veIous system of castles that divides the
country into almost countless castles.
1t is impossible for the East Indian
10 change his lot Born in one Of the
lower castles, there he remains TO the
end OF life.
The term caste includes so many
things that it is difficult 10 define it.
There are, however, two properties es-
sential to a true caste: % There is
no entry except by birth. CD Mar
riage outside of the caste is absolutely
forbidden. To preserve the purity and
maintain the excIusiveness of the So
ciety many minute rules of conduct,
many restrictions on food and many
ceremonial observances are imposed
on the members and enforced by pen
alties which can not be evaded, against
which there is no appeal and which in
extreme cases follow the offender be-
yond the grave. But that is not all.
The relations of castles to each other
are as much a matter Of religious OBJ
servance as the rules for their internal
regulations. The Brahmans are the
highest. admittedly and undoubtedly
superior 10 all the rest. After them
come those who are acknowledged to
be twice bora. The less honored fol-
low in a graduated descent until the
untouchable and unspeakable are
reached at the lowest depth.
The laws of the ancient Modes and
5ersians We're not any more rigorous
than the rules regulating 'easte" in
India. Centuries have rolled around
without making the least impression
upon the HindoOs Americans have
very little knowledge OF the prevail
ing conditions in India, although much
has been written OF the various castles |
IN recent years.
In civilized countries men are ex-
communicated from churches and ex-
PEELED from lodges without being de-
graded 10 any considerable extent To
lose caste in India is a much more
serious matter.
A London paper, reviewing the sit
uation in India from a political point
of view. makes some interesting COM
ments upon the social side of the pic
tuTe.
If a man is communicated by his
caste fellows. nobody in the caste viii
marry him or will accept water from
his hands or will eat with him If he
is married his wife viii not touch him
or speak 20 him. He is dead to his
family. The priest viii not perform
ceremonies for him. The village bar
Der viii not shave him and the wash
erwoman will not wash his clothes. |
These are the methods of bringing
pressure on the man. The strictest /
boycott which Irishmen have invented |
is mild compared to the final sentence |
of caste punchayat.
A system like this is a stern fact
which has 20 be faced. There is not /
police case or civil case or a trial at /
the sessions; there is hardly an ap-
pOintment 10 an office in India OF 1
whatever degree in which the matter /
Of caste has not TO be considered. ItI
forces itself into every assessment of
land revenue, into every adjudication 1
OF rent It affects the administration /
OF justice, the proceedings Of munich
pal ana district councils.
The Hindoo Brahman is above the
raw, so to speak, and even the British
government is not powerful enough TO
punish him in all cases, although al
times a strong effort Is made.
The Hindoos who recently invaded
the lumber camps in the state Of
Washington We're of the lowest posi-
bic caste, consequently they could not
lower themselves in the eyes Of their
countrymen. Yet these same dark
skinned Orientals believed themselves
UNNECESSARILY superior 10 the white
men for whom they labored.
II enough Of the East Indians are
admitted to this country, it will not
be many years before western ideas
are impressed upon the folks at home.
In this respect. the United States will
win where Great Britain has signaIly
failed, although this country has no
possible interest in the outcome from
a social, ethical or financial point of
view. Our habits are simply i'm
pressed upon the people of the earth