History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

GENERAL SIR JAMES JOHNSTONE 293
crisis," wrote a British official to the Pioneer. " One strong word, with the
ominous raising of the forefinger, would have paralysed the treacherous rebel."
A question was asked in the House of Commons about the recent appointments
to Manipur, and a member of the Cabinet answered that the (Liberal)
Government did not care for men of genius, but preferred to work with men of
mediocre ability
Probably the Government was aware of the service which Johnstone had
done for the Unionists in Worcestershire and Warwickshire, and he was Chairman
of the Committee that nominated Austen Chamberlain as the candidate
for East Worcestershire—his first constituency. He did not live to know that
the energy and money he had spent on Manipur was not all thrown away,
but a most pleasing tribute to his memory was received by his son, Captain
Richard Johnstone, in 1908. Manipur, long in disgrace, was restored to a
position of independence as a protected state ; and Sir Lancelot Hare, the
Lieutenant-Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam, with suitable ceremony
went to instal the Maharajah on his throne. He further proceeded to
unveil a bust of Johnstone in the English School, and, in the accompanying
speech, said "it was very gratifying to him to see that Sir James Johnstone's
memory was held in such esteem in the valley which he loved so well.
Certainly," he continued, "it would be difficult to name anyone who has done
more for Manipur, or who was more devoted to its people, or had a greater
regard and affection for the country. It is very fitting that this memorial
should be erected, and, of all the places where it could be placed, none is more
suitable than this School, which was founded by him and in which he took
so much interest. Among the many good works he did for Manipur none,
perhaps, was more important and far-reaching than his work as a pioneer of
education in this State. Of Colonel Sir James Johnstone's work in Manipur
from 1877 to 1886 it is not necessary to say much. The splendid work he
did at the time of the rising in the Naga Hills in 1879, and when the war
broke out with Burma in 1885, is well known. The care with which he protected
the interests of this State, when the boundaries between Manipur and
Burma were laid down, has also been of great advantage to Manipur."
Colonel Shakespear, the present Resident, sent an account of the ceremony
to Captain Richard Johnstone, and enclosed a letter signed by Tombi Singha,
Ango Singh, and ten other native scholars :
"Johnstone School, Manipur.
"Fed. 15, 1908.
"Sir,—We never knew that Sir James Johnstone, K.C.S.I., had a son
living till the other day, when a beautiful bust of your kind father was unveiled
by his Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam, and
when Colonel Shakespear, the Secretary of Johnstone School, mentioned the
fact to us, which we were delighted to hear.
" At first there was no English School in Manipur, but when your kind
father came here he got the consent of the Maharaja of Manipur, and estab-