Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 1.djvu/298




 * “(6) To help the poor and the needy in all reasonable ways.


 * “(7) And generally to do everything that would tend to put the Indians on a better footing morally, socially, intellectually, and politically.”

The very constitution of the Congress prevented it from dealing with private grievances, unless they have a public significance.

To say that “it has been quite through accident that the existence of the ‘Indian Congress’ has been discovered” is hardly in accordance with known facts. While the Congress was yet in process of formation, The Natal Witness announced the fact, and, if I am not mistaken, the paragraph announcing it was copied by you. It is true that it has not been officially made known before. This was not done because its organizers were not, and are not yet, sure of its permanent existence. They thought it prudent to let time alone bring it to the public notice. No attempts have been made to keep it secret. On the other hand, its organizers even invited those Europeans who were considered to be sympathetic either to join it or attend its fortnightly meetings. It is only because it has begun to be misrepresented in private conversation, and has now been publicly misrepresented (no doubt, unconsciously) by you, that the above explanation has been deemed necessary.

I am, etc.,

M. K. GANDHI HON. SEC., THE NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS PS. For your information I enclose copies of the rules, the list of members during its first year, and the first annual report.

M. K. G.

The Natal Advertiser, 25-9-1895


 * 31 The Natal Indian Congress leaders were said to have had a hand in intimidating an Indian witness from giving evidence in a trial for assault. The charge was actually against Padayachi, a member of the Natal Indian Congress, and it was stated that he did so at the instigation of leaders of the Congress. It was further alleged that under Gandhiji's leadership the Congress was conspiring to fight the Government, that it set up Indian labourers to agitate against their grievances, that Gandhiji extracted money from them and from Indian traders promising to help them obtain relief and used the funds for his own purposes. Vide also"Letter to Colonial Secretary", 21-10-1895.

Letter to "The Natal Mercury" (25-9-1895)
DURBAN,