When describing the pagoda and its surrounding, at Adams, New York, I dwelt at some length on the graves of the English soldiers there, and spoke of their courage and self-sacrifice. There was a large congregation present, nearly all of whom were strangers to me. At the close of the service I saw a little man start from the rear of the church and make his way down the side aisle, then across the church, and as he came he quickened his step; and grasping my hand he exclaimed with trembling voice: “I tried to come to church this morning, having heard a man from Burma was to speak; but I could not get here. I live nine miles back in the Adirondacks, and I drove in to-night to hear you. I am so glad those graves of the English soldiers are cared for; I was in the regiment that stormed that pagoda hill in 1852.” He wrung my hand and shed tears of gladness because I came from Burma and brought him a voice from the land of the stirring scenes of his soldier life of forty-eight years ago.
There will be a day when every pagoda will crumble down, every mosque and Hindu temple fall into decay, and Christian churches stand in their places, and Burma, as all other parts of this needy world, will be fully redeemed. In a brighter world there will be a time of rejoicing over the gospel triumphs, and all who in person or by proxy aided in the gospel victories in all the world, shall strike glad hands, like the old soldier, and say, “I was there and helped in the glorious work.”
CHAPTER XVII
Benefits of British Rule in Southern Asia
The missionary is one of the most interested students of government that can be found. Good or bad government affects his work vitally. Not only does good government give him protection from violence, but it gives settled peace to the people among whom he preaches, and thus provides the best conditions for the success of his calling. He can not wait for good government where it is not; but where he has the benefits of a settled state of society that is protected by wholesome laws promptly executed, he is one of the first men to recognize the priceless benefits of such government. Then he looks to the effect of government on the general conditions of the people. His views of government are not narrow. He looks ahead to the final effect on the mass of the people of the Government under which he lives. From every standpoint the missionaries whose fields lie under the British flag are best situated of all men of like calling in foreign lands. It therefore comes to pass that all missionaries, of whatever nationality, living in Southern Asia are almost a unit in praise of the Government. This Government, which has for more than forty years given protection to life, calling, and property of its nearly three hundred million diverse peoples, and that in unbroken peace, deserves the highest approval of all fair-minded men.
Life is as well protected in Southern Asia as it is in almost any land. The highest in the land and the meanest coolie are alike protected before the law. Where any man thinks he can insult or assault with even a little lordliness there is recourse to the law, and that within reach of the lowliest and the poorest, and he can get evenhanded justice for any injury, and that quickly. Perhaps in no land is the man of high and the man of low degree dealt with with more evenhanded and prompt justice than in Southern Asia. There are many social distinctions made in Asia, most of all in Southern Asia, peculiar to the land, and the Government adds its official distinctions and social ranks. But when it comes to the law and its administration in protection against all oppression and injustices, these social conditions have no place. It appears to be true that in a Briton’s mind there are two places where men of all stations have equal rights—before a court, and at the sacramental altar in the church. Every man is protected in the exercise of his religious faith, and must not be molested by any. To revile another’s religion is to bring down the swift penalty of the law.
It is possible for missionaries and other travelers to come and go anywhere in the Indian Empire without a thought as to their personal safety, as that is assured. Even unattended ladies make long journeys, and with only native carriers, sometimes travel in unfrequented regions and in the darkness; but so far as I can learn, there has not for many years been an insult offered to one of them. Some of our own workers live and travel in remote regions, even on the extreme borders of the empire, and sometimes these are lone women; but we do not hear of even serious inconveniences to them on account of their isolation. This is due chiefly to the Government, which protects life, persons, and calling.
It is, therefore, not surprising that the missionaries are among the most devoted supporters of the British Government in Southern Asia. It is likely they would support any Government under which they would find themselves called to work. They would teach their converts loyalty and obedience to law. But it is a great gain to be able to say to all the peoples of the Indian Empire that the Government under which they find themselves is one of the very best the world has produced. And if it were necessary to say it, they could truthfully add, better than any possible Government by native rulers, better for themselves, and better for all people in the land. It is a great pleasure to American missionaries to acknowledge the good government of India, for in it they find many of the best principles in which they believe. So far as I can learn, this just tribute from the American missionaries is well nigh universal among them, and the older they are and the longer they have lived in any part of this great empire, the more confirmed they are in their views.
Of all the institutions of the Government that are most to be commended, the courts are perhaps the most notable. There are several features of these courts which are specially commendable. They are prompt to a degree. Long, vexatious delays over technicalities of law are most unusual. It is not infrequent that a serious breach of law is brought to account very soon, and finally settled. Certain it is that money and influence and the “tricks of lawyers” can not long delay final decision on any case. Then there is no crowding to the wall the poor man without influence or money to aid him. The poorest can sue as a pauper, and have his case heard in regular order with the rich man of high station. He can get as certain justice, based on evidence. Cases are on record in recent years to illustrate how the socially high and even the official class have been rebuked and punished at the plaint of the lowliest in the land. They would be well worth recording if their publication would not be understood as too personal. It is this absolutely even-handed justice that has called out the comment of the native of India, “The English judge is not afraid of the face of man.” No partiality is shown for race or condition.
The system of Government seems to be well worthy of study. There is the viceroy, and associated with him, but not limiting his powers, a Council representing the entire Empire. There are lieutenant-governors over provinces. Then there are chief commissioners over portions of the country that are not regarded of sufficient importance to have lieutenant-governors. Under both these officials the next officers in rank are commissioners over divisions, and these in turn have deputy commissioners under them who administer districts. Below the deputy commissioners there are several lesser officers, usually over townships, but having a wide range of duties. From viceroy down to deputy commissioners the officers have certain executive, or executive and judicial powers combined. The higher officers have also authority to some extent in military affairs.
The army is made up of British troops and native soldiers, with a great preponderance of the latter. There are also many belonging to the military police. The same division is made in the civil police. The police department is perhaps the most difficult branch of Government to keep efficient and free from scandal, but there are many worthy men in the police service.