The Old Song of Reactionary Politics

There was something very familiar to American ears in the objections interposed by Sir Chunder Mitter, a Bengalese member of the Legislative Council at Calcutta, to certain proposed legislation in the interest of decency and humanity. In pursuance of a plan long contemplated, the government had introduced a bill for raising to twelve years the minimum of a girl's consent to marriage. Heretofore the minimum had stood at ten years, resulting in many shameful and barbarous alliances. But Sir Chunder, who is doubtless a religious devotee and eminent for his piety, protested on religious grounds solely to the proposed amendment. The Hindoo scripture, he declared, authorizes the consummation of marriage under twelve years of age. Such being the case, he held that the bill would violate the government's pledge to avoid interference with the social or religious customs of the people. How very like that is to the hackneyed Mormon objections to our laws for the suppression of polygamy! Furthermore, the grave and conservative Sir Chunder pathetically warned the government that such legislation, so clearly demanded by every consideration of humanity and advanced civilization, would 'stir up race prejudices,' and would 'renew bitter antagonisms,' and would 'arouse popular indignation.' Is it possible that Sir Chunder Mitter is sailing under false colors, and that in reality he is but a transplanted Southern Democratic congressman, rehashing an old anti-elections bill speech in an Indian legislature? It certainly looks like it, or at all events Sir Chunder has all the ear-marks of bourbon statesmanship. There is a sorry sameness in the tunes sung by enemies of progress the world over, and when all other masks fail them, that of religion is the last resort.