Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/486

 396 EARLIER INDIAN SPEECHES

in the consideration of political subjects will be different from that obtained without it. The Hindus can ill afford to neglect 56 lakhs of ignorant Sadhus in considering* political matters. Our Mussalman brethren cannot lose sight of their Fakeers. In advancing political progress the condition of our widows and child marriages must have their proper place, and the purdah must tax Mussalman wit. Nor can we, Hindus and Muhammedans, in considering politics, shut our eyes to scores of questions that arise between us.

Indeed our difficulties are like the Himalayas. But we have equally powerful means at our disposal for removing them. We are children of an ancient nation. We have witnessed the burial of civilizations, those of Rome, Greece, and Egypt. Our cvilization abides even as the ocean in spite of its ebbs and flows. We have all we need to keep ourselves independent. We have the mountains that kiss the sky, we have the mighty rivers. We have the matchless beauties of nature and we have handed down to us a heritage of deeds of valour. This country is the treasure-house of tapasya. In this country alone do people be- longing to different religions live together in amity. In this country alone do all the gods receive their due measure of worship, We shall disgrace our heritage, and our connection with the British nation will be vain if in spite of such splendid equipment, by some unique effort, we do not conquer our conquerors* The English nation is full of adventure, the religious spirit guides it, it has unquenchable faith in itself, it is a nation of great soldiers, it treasures its independence, but it has given the place of honour to its commerical instinct, it has not always narrowly examined the

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