Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/684

 *94 NON-CO-OPERATION

anger or hate* It it not a sacrifice freely given that exacts a price. The Moplahs have demanded a price. The sacrifice has lost much of its nobility. Now it will be said, that the Moplahs have received well-merited punishment.

There would have been no martial law if only the Moplahs had died. And if there had been, it would have been thrice welcome. It would have ended the system of Government which is decimating the land.

Of course now-a-days it is the fashion to make Non-Co-operation responsible for every affiction, whether it is a famine, a coolie exodus or a Moplah rising. It is the finest tribute that can be paid to the universality of Non-Co-operation. But nothing has been produced by the Madras Government in support of the charge.

Our own duty is clear. Non-Co-operators must wash their hands clean of all complicity. We must not betray any mental or secret approval of the Moplahs. We must see clearly, that it would be dishonourable for us to show any approval of the violence. We must search for no extenuating ciicumstance. We have chosen a rigid standard for ourselves and by that we must abide. We have undertaken to do no violence even under the most provoking circumstances. Indeed we anticipate the gravest provocation as our final test, The misguided Moplahs have therefore rendered a distinct disservice to the sacred cause of Islam and Swaraj.

We may plead, as indeed we must, if we have acted honestly, that in spite of our efforts we have not been able to bring under check and discipline all the turbul- ent sections of the community. The choice for the

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