Page:Future of England - Peel.djvu/234

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222
THE FUTURE OF ENGLAND
CH.

words of Sir Andrew Fraser, that as regards social intercourse, "what is required to secure cordial relations between Europeans and Indians is that they should study each other's customs, and that they should keep their hearts open to receive friendships."

Rising to the highest issues of public policy, we may be certain that if India hitherto, with eyes turned introspectively upon herself, and debilitated by the anaemia of her own metaphysics, and embittered by her unparalleled disasters, has not only nourished too much hatred against the stranger within her gates, but has sanctioned too much mutual animosity among her own offspring; if she has, in her despondency, too often regarded life as useless, a mere fitful fever with a recurring attack; if she, who was great when we were barbarous, has become weak when we are strong; then no treatment can be more salutary, and no cure more efficacious, than that she should ascend into the high places of imperial statesmanship, and into the healthful air of freedom, where she and ourselves can grow great together in a never-ending partnership.