Page:MKGandhi patriot.djvu/150

Rh discussion, it was adopted. In September, 1906, there was a large gathering of Indians in the old Empire Theatre, when the position was thoroughly faced, and, under the inspiration of deep feeling, and on the proposal of one of our leading men, they swore a solemn oath committing themselves to Passive Resistance."

Since then, this course has been bitterly attacked by many politicians, chiefly because they imagine that it places a new weapon in the hands of the natives. Mr. Gandhi has frequently replied to this. His arguments, briefly, are these:—

(1) If the natives of any crisis adopt this method of meeting what they believe to be injustice, rather than resort to force, we ought to be devoutly thankful. It would mean that the gun and the assegai would give place to peaceful tactics. Men who see far believe that the problems which are connected with the natives will be the problems of the future, and that, doubtless, the white man will have a stern struggle to maintain his ascendency in South Africa. When the moment of collision comes, if, instead of the old ways of massacre, assegai, and fire, the natives adopt the policy of Passive Resistance, it will be a grand change for the Colony.