Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/65



Lord Morley on Richard Cohden.

HE stagnant condition of the Indian civilisation during several centuries has given rise to a number of social evils which by their very accumulation impressed the imagination of the first generation of English-educated Indians. But these evils are neither more pressing nor more hideous than those which during the last three centuries have accompanied the rapid growth of European power and culture. The first duty of every country is to strengthen its position and consolidate its influence amidst neighbouring groups of nations with a view to safe-guard its political liberty which is the mother of all social well-being. Where this hberty is wanting, the duty of the people lies in recovering it