Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/222

 founded with the intention ; but is always one of the surest indications in an inquiry as to intention. If the writer's motives are good, if he is trying to secure constitutional rights for the people, trying in a fair way and persevering manner, he is entitled to express his views fully and fearlessly. Intention may be inferred from the legal fiction that a man intends the natural consequences of his acts. But if there are circumstances to show that the- motive of a man is different, then the mere fact that the views of the writer are not correct, or are even absurd, or that he has expressed them in violent lan- guage, would not make him seditious. It is not a question of the correctness and acceptability of views^ or of the stylef in which they have been expressed. The incriminating articles form part of a controversy between the Pro-Bureaucratic party and the Pro- Congress party. There was a bomb outrage at Mozufferpore. There was no difference of opinion as to the character of the deplorable event ; but the question was * what is the cause of it ?' The Pro-Bureaucratic Party laid the blame at the doors of the Congress or of the NationaHst Party and called upon Government to put us down. I have taken the other side. My wri- tings are (i) a reply to the Anglo-Indian criticism (2) a suggestion to Government and addressed to Government (3) a discussion of the situation (4) a warning to both parties which, it is my duty as a journalist to give (5) a criticism of the contemplated measures by the Government. I will read extracts from a few Anglo-Indian writings. The Pioneer of May 7th recommends- a whole-sale arrest of the acknowledged Terrorists in a