"Brave words indeed coming with special aptness from some of those who
ran away as fast as their legs could carry them when the Police broke
up the Barisal Conference."
That is worthy of the leader of the Bengalee nation! To circulate--this
falsehood! It may be within the recollection of many of you (Jatra
Mohan Babu nods his head)--it is within the recollection of our
distinguished Chairman--this falsehood originated in Colootolla in
the year 1906 or 1907. The falsity of this was demonstrated then, and
now in the year of grace, 1918, we find the truthful Editor of the
_Bengalee_ newspaper referring to that lie and putting forward that lie
as an argument against the popular party.
"We are told that we must fearlessly criticise the proposals, if they
fall short of our ideal. But if they do not, what then?"
Well then, we accept it (Laughter). What is there to say about it? Then
it goes on to say:
"The circular assumes that Mr. Montagu's proposals are bound to be
unsatisfactory and that they will mean little or nothing."
Where does the Circular assume that? The Circular merely asserts that
if it is, it is our bounden duty to protest against that. Nothing more.
I need not read the rest of it. There is another passage which however
I must read to you:
"Why then sound the tocsin of alarm and seek to create a prejudice
for which so far as there is no warrant and against which there is a
strong body of presumptive evidence. Why talk of fearless criticism
and united front"?
This comes from Mr. Surendranath Banerjea! Surely we are fallen on evil
times!