Page:Allan Octavian Hume, C.B.; Father of the Indian National Congress.djvu/119

 designated Freedom's last stronghold — Freedom's keep I Yes, in the nobler sense of the words, a great war will be India's opportunity — opportunity for proving that if in periods of peace she clamours — at times somewhat angrily — for equal civil rights, in the hour of war she is ever ready and anxious to accept equal military risks." After this stirring appeal, which was greeted with "prolonged applause," Mr. Hume turned from politics to social admonition, urging his hearers to raise the general level, physical, mental, and moral, of the people, in order that India might become great, and free, and happy. For while, with the boldness of a Hebrew prophet, Mr. Hume rebuked the rulers, no less faithfully did he deliver his message to the people, warning them against the sins which most easily beset them. This he did from a compelling sense of duty, speaking "as a father parting for ever from his children that he loves, and whose future he fears for." " I am an old man," he said, " I have lived my life amongst you, and perhaps know as much of India as a whole as any one living ; but for all that I do not pretend to dogmatize — I only tell you what I who love you believe to be essential to your ultimate success." First, he warned them — you must reform your marriage laws ; you must prevent the marriage of immature persons ; racial degeneracy is the inevitable consequence of such marriages. You must have the sound body for the sound mind : " Herein lies the first foundation-stone of that national greatness v/hich we fondly hope will hereafter clothe, as with a robe of glory, old India and her regenerated sons." Secondly, you must educate the boys of the whole nation — and also the girls : "Assuredly there is no greater, grander, or more glorious work before you than the reinstatement of India's women on the exalted pedestal which is their due, and which your wiser forefathers, thousands of years ago,