Page:Allan Octavian Hume, C.B.; Father of the Indian National Congress.djvu/185

 Congress that met in Bombay in 1885 was a small gathering of leading men, of which Allan Hume was the guiding spirit, but it was the parent of the great National Congress which in the course of the last quarter of a century has revolution- ized the poHtical aspect of the country. To-day from the heart of educated India there will go forth a great wail of sorrow at the death of one who helped forward, such as few EngHshmen have done in the lifetime of this generation, the political interests of the people of India."

The Amritza Bazar Patrika referred to Mr. Hume's char- acter as pure and unblemished, rarely to be found in any other country in the world. He served India without any thought of reward.

The Indian Mirror wrote that the '* awakening of what is known as the national life of India was due pre-eminently to Allan Hume and his colleagues in the earlier days. It was they who stimulated public spirit and taught the people of India to seek their political salvation by constitutional political work. Advance on the lines of orderly and peaceful self- development was the first article of their political creed. In doubt and difficulty they stood by India like the valiant crew of an ocean liner, cheering and encouraging by hopeful and wise counsel."

A Mohammedan journal (Comrade) wrote that Mr. Hume " was one of those few high-souled Indian Civil Service men who devoted their life to selfless service for the people of this country and fearlessly championed the cause of its social and political regeneration at the ready sacrifice of official preferments and honours. But though denied official recognition, Mr. Hume's philanthropic activities for the uplifting of Indians gained for him a warm corner in Indian hearts. So firm was his hold on the confidence of the Indian masses that even in the dark days of the Mutiny their thorough reliance on his justice and kindness was never shaken. Such a life should be a model for our modern Anglo-Indian officers."

The Leader of Allahabad wrote : " The sorrow and grief of the hundreds of millions who inhabit this vast and great