Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/276

 186 PASSIVE RESISTANCE

methods. Our countrymen in the Transvaal are fighting for (he right) of oultured Indiana to enter the Transvaa^ in common with Europeans. In this the fighters- have no personal interest to serve, nor is there any material gain to aoorue to anybody after the above- mentioned right (which has for the first time in Colonial' Legislation been taken away) is restored. Tbe sons ot Hindustan, who are in the Transvaal, are showing that they are capable of fighting for an ideal, pure and simple. The methods adopted in order to secure relief are also equally pure and equally simple. Violence in any shape or form is entirely eschewed, They believe that self* Buffering is the only true and effective means to procure lasting reforms, They endeavour to meet and conquer hatred by love. They oppose the brute or physical force by soul force. They hold that loyalty to an eaithly sovereign or an earthly constitution is subordinate- to loyalty to God and His constitution. In interpreting God's constitution through their conscience they admit that they may possibly be wrong. Henoe in resisting or disregarding those man-made laws which they consider to- be inconsistent with the eternal laws of God, they aooepb- with resignation the penalties provided by the former, and trust to the working of time and to the best in human nature to make good their position. It they are- wrong, they alone suffer, and the established order of things continues. In the process, over 2,500 Indians or nearly one-half of the resident Indian population, or one* fifth of the possible Indian population of the Transvaal, bave suffered imprisonment, carrying with it terrible hardships. Some of them have gone to gaol again and again. Many families have been impoverished. Several noer chants bave accepted privation rather than surrendei

�� �