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THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, 1894-1896
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itself to be sullied by intemperance of thought or language. It has always been conspicuous for dignity and self-restraint. In 1888, when it was fiercely assailed by official critics, as in 1906 when it was honoured by the Viceroy opening its Exhibition, it was the living organ of the legitimate aspirations of the Indian people, voiced by their chosen representatives with moderation and dignity. I again ask, what was it that contributed to the change in the official mind? I have no hesitation in saying that, apart from the general causes which make for what is true, it was the attitude of Lord Morley and his statesmanlike appreciation of the new spirit in India, that helped to clear the official atmosphere and to allay the prejudice in the official mind. The Civil Service is noted for its sense of discipline, its subordination of heart and soul to superior authority. An order issued or a principle laid down, or an opinion expressed by superior authority, is accepted by the rank and file with implicit acquiescence. The efficiency of the machinery of the Civil Service, almost semi-military in its temper and complexion, depends upon this quality. It is also perhaps its weakness. Speaking from his place in the House of Commons on the occasion of the Indian Budget debate in 1906 Mr. Morley said:

'Then there is the Congress. I do not say that I agree with all that it desires. But, speaking broadly of what I conceive to be at the bottom of the Congress, I do not see why anyone who takes a cool and steady view of Indian government should be frightened. I will not at once conclude that, because a man is dissatisfied and discontented, he must be disaffected. Why, our own reforms and changes have been achieved by dissatisfied men, who were no more disaffected than you or I.'

In the same vein and perhaps with greater emphasis he spoke of the new spirit in India of which the Congress was the expression. 'Every one', said he, in the same speech from which I have quoted, 'every one—soldiers, travellers and journalists—they all tell us that there is a new spirit in India. Be it so. How could you expect anything else? You have now been educating the people for years with Western ideas and literature. You have already given them facilities for communication with one another. How could you suppose that India could go on just as it was when there was little higher education, when the contact between one part and another was difficult and infrequent? How could you think that all would go on as before? We should be untrue to the traditions of Parliament and to those who have from time to time and