John Stuart Mill: A Criticism with Personal Recollections

98 EFFECTS ON PEOPLE OF INDIA. 1849-1873.
be coincident with a general outcry, in itself most alarming to
their fears, from most of the organs of opinion in this country
as well as of English opinion in India, denouncing the past
policy of the Government on the express ground that it has
been too forbearing and too considerate towards the natives.
The people of India will at first feel no certainty that the new
Government, or the Government under a new name, which it
is proposed to introduce, will hold itself bound by the pledges
of its predecessors. They will be slow to believe that a
Government has been destroyed only to be followed by another
which will act on the same principles and adhere to the same
measures. They cannot suppose that the existing organ of
administration would be swept away without the intention of
reversing any part of its policy. They will see the authorities,
both at home and in India, surrounded by persons vehemently
urging radical changes in many parts of that policy. And
interpreting, as they must do, the change in the instrument of
government as a concession to these opinions and feelings,
they can hardly fail to believe that, whatever else may be
intended, the Government will no longer be permitted to
observe that strict impartiality between those who profess its
own creed and those who hold the creeds of its native subjects
which hitherto characterised it ; that their strongest and most
deeply-rooted feelings will henceforth be treated with much less
regard than heretofore ; and that a directly aggressive policy
towards everything in their habits, or in their usages and
customs, which Englishmen deem objectionable, will be no
longer confined to individuals and private associations, but will
be backed by all the power of Government."
The position of the new Indian Minister, when subjected to
no external control is depicted thus :
"
That in constituting a body of experienced advisers to be
associated with the Indian Minister, your
Petitioners consider
it indispensable to bear in mind that this body should not only
be qualified to advise the minister, but also, by its advice, to