The reasons for sequestrating the sovereignty of Oude are reasons
why the measure should have been taken long ago. The puppet King and his predecessors have systematically violated the treaty-charter of their royal existence ; have delayed reforms in order to plague their people ; have neglected public duties to riot in debauchery ; and such creatures, because they are princes, our Indian Government has " respected " for fifty years The obligations towards ourselves and the people of Oude now have their turn of official respect. The parallel case of the Deccan invites attention ; but Lord Dalhousie's rapidly-declining health obliges him to leave that final act of grand consolidation to his successor, Lord Canning ; who has glorious work yet to do. For Lord Dalhousie has only begun to construct the new system in India ; although two bills which are advancing through the Legislature would alone mark the distinction between two term —the bills to permit the remarriage of Hindu widows, and to reform the tenure of land throughout India.
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