Page:Report on the Memorial Meeting for Mahatma Gandhi.djvu/10

 Gandhi may have wanted to arrive at the dignity of the individual, freedom, peace, Justice and plenty in another way, by another route. But this quiet man’s strength, his vision, his spiritual wealth, his practised belief in human goodness symbolized and crystalized for the people of the United States the hopes, the never-ending struggle for the betterment of man. When Gandhi spoke, the people of this land listened, and millions said to themselves, ‘Yes, that is right, that is good, that is true’.

“It has been given to few to wield so enormous an influence in the history of our time. He had none of the outward traditional trappings of leadership. He was armed, instead, with the clearest of vision and with tenancious faith.

“Reviewing Gandhi’s role in India’s struggle for independence, I am reminded of a story told of Confucious. Confucious stood watching a woman convulsed with grief at the side of a grave. He sent one of his disciples to talk to the woman and inquire of her the cause of such overwhelming sadness. The woman explained, ‘My father was killed here by a tiger. My husband was killed here by a tiger and now my son has suffered the same fate.’ ‘Why do you not leave this place’, the disciple asked. She replied, ‘Because the government here is not oppressive’. Upon the return of the disciple, Confucious pointed out the moral. ‘My children, oppressive government is fiercer and more feared than a tiger.’

“Yes, Gandhi knew that and with all the strength of his faith sought to efface oppression. Bloodshed and violence were not his answers. A good end could not be reached by evil means, he said. Hatred breeds hatred and blood draws blood.

“To a people demoralized by centuries of British misrule, he brought the healing graces.