When in March, 1917, the Grand Old Man of India was gathered to his fathers, there was pro found and universal grief felt, not only all over Bombay, by the melancholy event, but throughout the length and breadth of India. Political India especially was draped in deep mourning, for the ablest and most advanced of her sons was no more. The death was deplored not only by politicians, but by officials, secretaries of learned and reform societies : by the king on his throne to the beggar on the street.
During the war Naoroji preached as vigorously as possible loyalty to the Empire that was locked in a life-and-death struggle, and which with all the failings of its lesser representatives, was really the guardian of freedom and civilisation, in essence and intention ; if not always, to outward appearance, in actual attainment.
The influence of Naoroji's life and work will last until India enters on her full inheritance, the vision of which was so clearly seen and so lucidly stated by this prophet of Indian autonomy.
When in i886 he put up for the parliamentary candidature for Holborn, Lord Salisbury sneered at the " black man " seeking election and being feted at the National Liberal Club. And the irony of the remark consists in the fact that Dadabhai Naoroji, was much fairer than Lord Salisbury, and had venerable features of classic dignity. Mr. Ratcliffe, the well-known journalist, told us only recently that Lord Salisbury's son used to be highly amused why his father should address Naoroji of all others, by this designation.
His death in 1917, was very deeply and widely lamented. Governors and high officials generally sent messages of condolence to the bereaved family. Sir William Wedderburn presided at a large meeting held in Caxton Hall, in London, to pay a tribute to the memory of such an illustrious son of India. Among the moderate politicals of India none came up to Naoroji in point of unblemished private life and irreproachable public career, stimulated by high impersonal aims.