Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/712

 -62*2 NON-CO-OPERATION

bliched a peaceful atmosphere, i.e., to have attained by our non-violence sufficient control over the people to keep their violence under check. We have failed when we ought to have succeeded, for yesterday was a day of our trial. We were under our pledge bound to protect the person of the Prince from any harm or insult and we broke that pledge inasmuch as any one of us insulted or injured a single European or any other who took part in the welcome to the Prince. They were as much entitled to take part in the welcome as we were to refrain.

Nor can I shirk my own personal responsibility, I am more instrumental than any other in bringing into being the spirit of revolt. I find myself not fully capable of controlling and disciplining that spirit. I must do pen- ance for it. For me the struggle is essentially religious. I believe in fasting and prayer and I propose henceforth to observe every Monday a 24 hour's fast till Swaraj is obtained.

The Working Committee will have to devote its attention to the situation and consider in the light there- of, whether mass civil disobedience can be at all encouraged, until we have obtained complete control over the masses. I have personally come deliberately to the conclusion that mass civil disobedience cannot be started for the present. I confess my inability to conduct a campaign of Civil disobedience to a successful issue unless a completely non-violent spirit is generated among the people.

I am sorry for the conclusion. It is a humiliating confession of my incapacity, but I know that I shall appear more pleasing to my Maker by being what I am .instead of appearing to be what I am not, If I can have

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