Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/171

 something almost marvellous. We could hardly credit it but for the evidence that is before our eyes. I believe that the investigations made by the Education Commission, and the Resolutions of the Government of India on the report of that Commission, will in future be the starting point of a new and equally great advance. It depends on Native intelligence and Native industry to take advantage of the policy adopted by the Government of India; and if they do, if the enthusiasm which is burning in the breasts of many of my young friends of the Native community be burning as brightly at the end of thirty years, I venture to say they will stand, if not foremost, yet equal in rank at least as regards a large class with the most educated nations. My valued and respected friend. Principal Wordsworth, the other day congratulated this University on the fact, that higher education was not to be set aside or degraded in favor of lower education. I felicitate the public and the Senate on this arrangement, and I have only to add, with regard to the educational policy of Government, that I do trust they will see the advisability of taking measures soon, and taking effectual measures for the spread of the education of those who are not to become scholars, but engineers and workers in other walks of life which do not require high scholarship, but rather a trained faculty and a technical education. I believe they will be seconded in that by the universal voice in India, and that all reasonable burdens will be readily borne for such a purpose in preference to almost any other that can be named.

Time presses, and I pass by the well-worn topic of local self-government. The next point which I venture to observe upon, is the bearing of Lord Ripon's Government on the subject of the High Court at Calcutta. We are all familiar with the circumstance that in the High Court of Calcutta a necessity arose some time ago for appointing an acting Chief Justice. I believe that even amongst those who doubt the policy of the appointment made by Lord Ripon's Government, there is no question as to the noble motives and high courage which dictated its action. For myself and in my own humble person I will venture to go a step further. It has been said that when you give power it is useless to hamper it, or attempt to hamper it with useless restrictions; and I add to that that it is futile to introduce amongst a body of enlightened and distinguished men a fertile principle and then to deny or refuse the fruits of that principle. It is for a Statesman to take care before he introduces a principle what are the logical consequences to which that principle leads; but when the principle is introduced, to follow it out loyally to the end, trusting to its intrinsic soundness to prevent all evil results.