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IIBIl, AND ' ; INDIAN PROGRESS.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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pointing the finger of scorn at them . Hanover , Bavaria , and Saxony are laughing heartily in boisterous enjoyment of the prospect that it will now be Prussia s turn to go on her knees and beg for an alliance , fene may receive it from England , but certainly not from any Government of Germany , I need hardly say that the conditions of the peace are unanimously ridiculed and condemned . The Pope president of a confederation of Italian Princes ! A pretty prospect for the freedom ot Italy , truly ! Of the causes which led to this peace it is impossible to form any opinion ; it is , however , worthy of note that on the very day that the armistice was concluded , the representative of Austria , proposed m the Federal Diet that the Federal Army should be mobilised and that tlie Prince Regent of Prussia should be command to
requested to accept the chief , subject no control . At first we were all sorely puzzled to discover the meaning of this , but now we know that on the 5 th inst . the first overtures of peace were made by tlie Emperor of Austria , and that on that day it was reported that the efforts of Prince Windischgratz to induce Prussia to interfere actively in favour of Austriahad failed . Prussia even refused to guarantee the Italian possessions to the house of Hapsburg . It is the firm persuasion now of most Germans , that Louis Napoleon will , seize the first opportunity to pick a quarrel with Prussia , and make a swoop upon the Rhine , and that Austria , in revenge for the neutrality of Prussia , will then remain neutral . At all events Prussia will have to retain the landwehr , under arms for an indefinite period , which will prove nearly as ruinous to her finances and the
country as an war ; Some journals represent the people as being overjoyed ¦ at the news of peace , but this I can truly assert is far from the fact . It niav be said that never was peace less -welcome . The Germans feel themselves lowered in the opinion of the world by this hasty suspension of arms , for indeed it cannot be regarded as anything more . The Italians are without question dissatisfied -with the terms ; the Germans are exasperated and ashamed , and all the elements of a future and more sanguinary war have been called into life . Telegrams of events follow so fast as to take away from correspondence all its use and value . Suffice it for the present that the state of public feeling here is such that tlie Governments may be forced into a war with France upon the very slightest provocation . '
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The " Tuhcos . "—These desperate Africans ( says an Italian letter ) continue to excite the admiration —or , I should rather say , the wonder , not unzningled with apprehension—of the districts they pass through . They are not very desirable persons to meet on a lonely road , especially of a dark night . There is something decidedly " uncanny " about them . They remind one of wild animals trained by some bold hunter to pull down his game , but from whom his own flocks and herds are not altogether safe . When met with in straggling parties and without tlieir officers , it is wisest to have as little to say to them as possible . They are not remarkable for respecting anything except
their officers and the heavy bamboos with which theseare usually provided . They are not subjected to the same code of punishments as the French soldiers , but when they offend the officers cudgel them soundly . One may suppose that the officers of Turcos are selected with an especial regard to their intimidating qualities , most of those whom I have seen being powerful men of most determined aspect , likely to daunt the negroes , Arabs , nnd other African varieties under their command . The French tell mo that the Turcos are first-rate soldiers
when opposed to rifles and bayonets , but that the fire of artijlery cows them . Hitherto it has been found impossible to make them give quarter ; they never take prisoners ; all that they overcome they kill . It may ho very strongly questioned Whether it bo justifiable to use such savages in a civilised European contest . Frenchmen , liowevex , who ha , ye been through this campaign from ita beginning , ' tell me that &ome of the Croats are nearly as merciless , if once they get out of sight of their officers .
Military Bam . ooning .-t--A correspondent from the French camp says : —The French have established a regular service of balloons , which are under the intelligent direction of the famous aeronaut Godard , and the fortresses of Foschiera and Verona are closely watched , so that wo arc able to know what ia going on within their walls . The day before yesterday the balloon of Monsieur aodarfll could bo flqon over I ' esohJora , much to the amusement of our
gay soldiors . At six o ' clock the nijrial reconnaissance was over , and the balloon having been safely descended in the vicinity of Castol Nuovo , Godftrd and two officers of the French staff , who wore his companions , hastened to report that nbout seventy oxen JUad been collected by the Austriana at the Dogana of PcsclUera . A party of Zouaves was soon despatched in that direction , and a few hours afterwards the captured herd made its appearance in our camp .
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, " were broug play , and the result was a proclamation in 1855 , abolishing slavery . This proclamation , like many other things in India , was the immediate offspring of fear on the part of the Government , fear of the displeasure of the E . 'I . Company roused to action on the subject by the fear of public sentiment in England . The Soodras and other slave-owners were not consulted , of conrse , in the affair , and loud and angry have been tlieir complaints of tlie measure ever since . Their disappointed feelings find vent every now and then when any special service to the State is demanded of them . Not being able to obtain from the Government a repeal of that proclamation—the reason for the refusal being quite beyond their comprehension—they seek compensation in
some other way . Fortunate for their cause , as they deem it , the Queen ' s proclamation was lately read in public at Trevandram . Like a drowning man catching at a straw , they seize a part of its contents and immediately begin to exclaim , " The Queen will take no more countries ; the Queen is angry with the Company for taking away the countries of Maharajahs , e ncouraging their friends tlie missionaries to settle in the country , and compelling the Hindoos to become Christians . The Ponnu Sawmi ( Golden God , His Highness the Rajah ) has now all the power restored to him which the Company unjustly toot away from him , and the Governor came the other day to deliver up to him all his former authority . The Queen is
CASTE DISTURBANCES IN TRAVANCORE . TO THE EDITOR OF " THE LEADER . " Sir , — 1 . Travancore is styled the " Paradise of the Holy , " by winch is meant , I suppose , that here , more than anywhere else in India , Bramins are feasted , petted , and worshipped , and that all others must move completely out of the public road , when , these " incarnate gods" are passing along . They have tried this game even with Europeans on horseback , but the fear or being ridden over has induced them to step aside , though with wounded pride and sullen looks . Europeans , however , on foot or in palki , are not able thus to combine might with right . I happened in 1854 to meet an idol procession on the public road where it had a wall on one side anda river on the other . The chief native magistrate and six of his subordinates were present . I got out of the palki and stood as near the edge of the road as I could without actually going down the bank . I was ordered by one of the authorities to descend into the ¦ rivpr . hut on refusinar was pelted with sand and dust by
the Bramins , my palki rolled down the bank , and pushed after it . I appealed in person to the present resident : General Cullen , for redress , but obtained none . On the contrary was told by him that . " Europeans have no right to the public roads in Travancore , that they should leave the public road when they meet a respectable idol procession , that missionaries are only tolerated here , and should beware of giving offence . " Thus the Englishman was degraded by his own countryman in the sight of all Travancore , and great eclat was given by one who bears the Christian name , to Braminism and idolatry . The indignitv was borne in silence , and the affair is now for the first" time , and that for the sake of illustration onlv , made known to the public . If I were to meet with such a heathen procession how , and under similar circumstances , I question if I could escape with my life . Apropos of the above is the Order in Council passed by Sir Henry Pottinger , whose views coincide wonderfully with those of General Cullen , about Missionaries and all that sort of thing . " The Resident ' s
communication . is as follows : — No . 479 . —1854 . To the Rev . C . Mault , Nag-ercoil . gj R , i Lave the honour , by desire of the Madras Government , to transmit to you a copy of the 12 th para , of a commuuication to me from the Government , strictly prohibiting- all interference by the Members of the Missions m Travcncorc , in the contests between their converts and the local authorities , and which 1 request you will have the " ooduess to make g-eiierally k ; nown . I have the honor to be , &c , ( Sig-ued ) XV . Cl'llbx , Resident . Resident ' s Oilice , ou Circuit , Trichoor , 10 th March , 1854 . Extract from the extract from the Minutes of Consultation ' of the Govermcnt of Fort Saint George . jSo . bi , dated 14 th Feb .. 1854 .
1 " The governor hi Council thinks assumption of tlie missionaries to act us the patron of their converts and to advocate their cause when tliere is any contest between them and the local authorities is objectionable , and ho accordingly directs that this practice be explicitly pro ^ hibited , and that the resident bo desired to communicate thia resolution both to the Pevvan and the niissonaries , and to act upon it himself iu all lustancos where applications mav be made to him peraoually in foehnlf of Christian converts . ( True extract . ) W . Cullen , Resident . The above order in Council , passed by Sir Henry Pottinger , was rescinded by Lord Harris , the successor of Sir Henry . but for all practical purposes it remains still the law with General Cullen , as he has long- ago ceased to take any notice of any representations made to him bv missionaries respecting tlie injustice and oppression tlie suDormnate
practised upon native Christians by magistrates and police of Travancoi-e . ' 2 . Casto here flourishes in perfection . With the exception of spmo four or five Europeans , who occupy uninfluontial positions , tho whole oxecutlye power of the country , as well as every ofllce down to the lowest peon , is in tho hands of high caste men , and I leave you to judge how unchecked and irresponsible power in tho hands of such men is likely to be wielded .- Hitherto they have htid full scope for its exercise nnd little has been said to them , nnd next to nothing said about thorn , to tho public out of Travnncore , so that scarcely . any influence from without has boon brought to bear on them . Not only are Government ollices not to be desecrated by being held by any below the Soodra caste , but supplies of rice , Khce , butter milk , fruit and tho like for tho Palace , . for the great public feasts to Brnmina , for idols ,
and for thosp who attend on them , arc furnished by that class ulono . Tor all this certain privileges and immunities ore enjoyed by them , and on tho solo condition thnt they porlorm these nnd such like services to the State . As It la in their power " to stop supplies . " they are of course both feared nnd pettod . Tlioy are the chief landholders in tho country , and till lately nil classes below that of tho Shannra , and one section of that also , were legally , and in most cases , actually their bondslaves . , . 0 . When His Highness , tho present Itnjah , ascended tho Muenucl , a petition wns presonted to him through tho Resident , by all tho Protestant Missionaries in Travancore , for the emancipation of tho slaves . Ahoy received nix answer to tho effect that euch a sweeping measure could not for a moment bo entertained . Influences howovor far beyond tho Bens , of whloh the Travoncoreans generally have no more idea than of tlie sweec
the erreat enemy of the Company , and has sent her army to destroy the En « -lisii , who have all been killed in the north . The Queen hates the religion of the CoaipanVj commands thatno Hindoos shall become Christians , and will punish with death any of her servants who interfere with our religion . Why , then , do the missionaries still remain among us 1 They are acting con trary to the Queen s proclamation : we must drive them away , and punish ail who have joined them . " Such are the reports brought to me of the construction put upon Her Majesty s Proclamation by the Soodras . My informants are intelligent men , who converse with Soodras and hear from their lips thftir own version of the Queen ' s sentiments .
4 . Deeming thepresent a fit opportunity to wring from the Government some concession m tlieir own favour , and the Government nothing loth to gratify them -when it can do so consistently with its own laws , they have succeeded in getting a proclamation made resuscitating an ancient law which establishes a distinction m dresa . Part of the proclamation runs thus : — ' No . 1328 . Police . —A proclamation made to all castes of PG am informed that some Shanar women , contrary to the custom hitherto prevailing- are in the habit of covering their bosoms , and that consequently disturbances are read > to break out between the Shanars and Soodras and other hi ^ h caste people . As it is not just to act at variance with a lorn ? established custom , but with the sanction of the Sircar , suen innovations will certaiuly be visitod with just punishment . The Sbanars should duly consider thid matter and 8 O " TJrwan ' ilathevn . Ravar AppatHura Ayan Mekodoo , Ue van , ai 4 th Slarfealy , 1034 ( 37 th . December , 1838 ) . "
5 . Having thus procured as they say authority from , his Hitrhness " to put down the Shanars and all other low caste people " they proceed to the public markets , hiehwavs , and Shanar villages , and seize , beat , and abuse men and women of the Shanar class , tear off their upper cloth , plunder and burn their houses , as well as the chapels and schoolrooms of the mission . Eleven chapels and schoolrooms Uavo thus already been burnt , and the bungalows of the missionaries as well as their lives are threatened - This violent opposition , which in its first outburst , at the beginning of the year , was directed against all bhanars , whether Roman Catholic , Protestant , or Heathen , has now become more decidedly antichristjan . Our catechists and schoolmasters , always objects of aversion to the lower grades of Government officials ) are now aptorn
prehended by them , have their coats and neauuress , off sometimes intoshreds , are beaten , imprisoned , secured , hands and feet , in the stocks , reviled and in other ways insulted and degraded . The more intelligent and zealous among them have foryears been marked men by the Government officials in tlieir several neighbourhoods , and now that the day of vengeance is come , they ^ are experiencing the truth of what tlicy olton rend . — " All that will nvu godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution . ' 6 . All this must , of course , hare some show of reason . Hence the Soodras and lower grodos of Government officials who are of the same caste , play into each other s hands . The former concoct and tho latter receive , theniost ridiculous charges against the catechists and others such toTinnovelli nnd bring two
ns that " they iWS going or li ? ee thmKdShaSarsio . bx . rn the Spodrns' housesi ; that they wore seen coming in largo """• Jw ^ " , ' , X iMont df plundering their bazaars , t ' "' ££ jHil Ic way robbers running away with the gsli , ?'"* ' ?"' *„• which were being brought to the " ™ rke f , t a they , ° ro fomenting an insurrection m *}™* 1 ?" 0 ^™ ni in n 8 Jut t J ass ^^ 4 ^^ rf 4 JSofnUW ^ SaSt Our chapols aro entered by them , our religion SJffod and our corlffregations scattered , besides tfioso JZV , u * nL \ i Haolesflljv having boon burnt , several " » oro of of , r ohnnols are vtually closed , as the catochists have Td ancF are cdnoSllnff themselves In obscure villages
fr String " to'Sy " , these ' charges are being oxamlned into witO the sliW of magisterial pavlty . But do tho higher officials honestly believe in the truth of thorn 7 If not , why do thoy continue to examine them . Why not
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WA ^ -IN CIDENTS .
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influences of the Pleiades ht into No . 486 . JPLy 16 , 1859 , 1 THE LEAPEB . 837
Iibil, And ' ; Indian Progress.
IIBIl , AND ' ; INDIAN PROGRESS .
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Leader (1850-1860), July 16, 1859, page 837, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2303/page/9/
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