Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/436

 346 EARLIER INDIAN SPEECHES

regard for English we allow their knowledge to become rusty.

It has been argued that the use we made of English for attainment of wealth, and for stimulating patriotism was quite proper. The agument however, has no bearing on the question before us. We shall bow to those who learn English for the sake of gaining wealth or for serving the country otherwise. But we would surely not make English the medium on that account. My only object in referring to such a use of the English language was to show that it continued its abuse as a medium of instruction and thus produced an untoward result. Some contend that only English-knowing Indians have been fired with the patriotic spirit The past few months have shown us something quite different. But even if we were to admit that claim on behalf of English, we cosld say that the others never had an opportunity. Patriotism of the English-educated class has not proved infectious, whereas a truly patriotic spirit ought to be all-pervading.

It has been stated that the foregoing arguments, no matter how strong they may be in themselves, are im- practicable. " It is a matter for sorrow that other branches of learning should suffer for the sake of English. It is certainly undesirable that we should suffer an undue* men-tal strain in the act of gaining com- mand over the English language. It is, however, my humble opinion that there is no escape for us from hav- ing to bear this hardship, regard being had to the fact of our relationship with the English language, and to find out a way These are not the views of an ordinary writer. They are owned by one who occupies a front rank among the Gujarati men of letters. He is a lover

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