Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/353

 truth in mind while conducting the Kesari. He concentrated all his energies on the work of national awakening. Whatever helped that work found a place in the Kesari ; otherwise it was shunned, though the very best. People went to the Kesari, not to get news, but to interpret it. Their estimates of men and things were largely influenced by the Kesari. Their attitude was determined by that of the Kesari. A compliment from the Kesari has built up many a career ; its censure has marred it. Verily it has been a great dictator, though a benevolent one.

This then, is the work of the Kesari. It has formed the style of Marathi Journalism ; it has expanded the thought-expressing capacity of the Marathi language. It has familiarised the people with the political thought of modern European life. It has widened the outlook of the sons of the soil. It has roused them to a consciousness of the glorious past and the wretched present. It has inspired them with new hope for the future. It has concentrated their attention to the live political issue ; and has mercilessly thrust in the back-ground, whatever was not directly concerned with that issue. It has set an example of devotion, of sacrifice, of plain speaking and of courage. It has taught them to keep their heads cool in storms and rear themagain after the hurricane spent its force. It has been the centre of political education, the source of political agitation, and the pivot of aU national organization, in Western India. As one speaker aptly put it, it has transformed the Maharash- tra of 1890 to what it is in 1921.