night. We desire to record a vote of confidence in your favour—not in your interest, but in our own—we want to declare to the world that your punishments have not degraded you, that punishments cheerfully borne in the country’s cause, never degrade any one, but they are the passports to public honour and popular applause and affection and to the affection and gratitude of the country. Martyrs in our cause, go forth from this hall impressed with the conviction that in honouring you we proclaim to the world our firm determination to honour the future martyrs of our race. You are among the first of the glorious band. I am sure, you will not be the last. But whether first or last, in your sufferings you had our sympathies and now in the hour of your triumph you enjoy, in an unstinted measure, the blessings of your fellow countrymen. In honouring the martyrs, however let us not forget the cause for which they have suffered. I ask you to rise from your places and cry out Bande Mataram.
(At this the whole meeting rose to a man and there was a loud and prolonged shouting of Bande Mataram.)
Continuing, the speaker said:—Renew the Swadeshi vow—the solemn vow—before you go,