Another Indian Mutiny.

Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 11

Another Indian Mutiny.

Ever and anon the question crops up among thinking men — " Will there be another Indian Mutiny ? " We give a few reasons for and against such a contingency.

The Optimist's -view :— The mutiny of 1857 was only a mutiny of native soldiers. The Boldier of to-day is far more loyal and enlightened. There are thousands of native soldiers drawing pensions whose voice is in favour of peace. Let the present ruling power be overthrown, and the land is a prey to the feuds of Mussulman and Hindoo. Missionaries are yearly extending Christianity. By means of the railways now in exist°nce, troops — of whom there are more than 70,000 in India — can bo rapidly massed, and crush out any incipient rebellion. As little as the Indian loves the English, he loves the Russian less. The manifold inteiests of all India aro bound up in the preservation of peace.

The Pessimist's view : — The next uprising will not be a mutiny of soldiers, but the revolt of a people. The native soldier pensioners could easily be alienated by guaranteeing pensions under a native form of government. Although there are differences between Mussulman and Hindoo, it is nothing like as marked as in years past. British education ia dissolving the oldfaiths, but is putting nothing in their places. The missionaries cannot keep pace with the Stateaided schools. Christianity among the natives is yet too small a force to enter into practical politics. As to the railways, the Government has allowed native engine drivers, stokers and guards ; the lines are too long to be well guarded, and in case of revolt, would practically be under native control. The trade of India is quite independent of the Government. To Indian toleration is coming a powerful ally—the growth of national life. Englishmen have given the educated natives of all creeds a common language. A blind devotion to their leaders is a characteristic of the Indian races. There is very much less respect for the European than formerly. The taxation of India, for interest on debt, railway loans, pensions, &c, is over £37,000,000 per annum, all of which would be wiped out if India were free from England. The national congresses are the beginnings of national life. The national vanity of the Indian na.tive is rising like a flood. He see no reason tor being taxed to pay Europoans to govern him, when he could do it himself, and for far less money than it now costs him. " England in India," to quote a native writer in the native press, " is simply a wise and benevolent despotism."

Frank Stuart, of 2SFreeschool street, Calcutta, a gentleman widely and favourably known throughout the length and breadth of India, and with unsurpassed opportunities in his professional capacity for obtaining inside opinions on questions of national importance, tells the following interesting and remarkable story : — In 1875 I arrived in. Calcutta. About three months after that time, ono afternoon in the Great Eastern Hotel, I was prostrated with a sudden attack of illness. I did not know what was the matter, but a gentleman present said, " It's your liver." I was conveyed to Scott Thomas' to see Dr Ferris, but he was out. I was then taken home in a " polkee," and a medical man called, who said I had congestion of the liver. I was very ill for the following ten days. Between 1875 and 1881 I had, in Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, Rangoon, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, about 20 of these terrible attacks. In 1881, when in Shanghai, being very ill, I determined to go to Japan. En route I met Captain Connor, of the " Geukai Maru," Japanese Steamship Company, and he at once accosted me with : " Good , man, what is the matter with you ?" I replied : " Liver and kidneys." " You look terribly ill. Have you ever tried so-and-so ? " — naming a proprietary medicine. "No," with a forced smile. He then told me how he had suffered from congestion of the kidneys and liver, that he was so bad that he lost four stone in weight, resolved to give up his command, and had almost seriously contemplated suicide, when casually an American passenger told him of the wonderful results achieved by the use of Warner's safe cure. " Auy port in a storm," said the gallant skipper, aud as soon as possible began its use. In a week he got great relief, and two months after— at the time he told me this— he had made up his lost flesh, with a bit over, and was the personification of health and strength. He concluded his narrative with: "God bless the day I took Warner's safe cure. You try it, Frank." I aid, and before I had finished the first bottle the pain under my right shoulder was much easier, the acid eructations ceased, and my stomach begun to do its work properly. I continued to improve, and when I had taken nt teen bottles I found myself a new man, with a sound, hearty appetite, thorough enjoyment of the society of my friends, zest for business, full ana true appreciation of amusement, and a calm Pleasure in life, unspeakable. To all these Mungs I had been a stranger for six long years. Would I not indeed be ungrateful did I not earnestly and conscientiously urge upon all suffering from internal mutiny to at once put it down and for ever, by the use of that peaceful power I have mentioned, which not only neals existing evils, but permanently eradicates o*d blood— the potent factor in all revolts.— tffIANK STUAIJT.