Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 2.djvu/186

 of violence, before it was definitely ascertained whether a constitutional agitation would be successful. . . Meanwhile, we would once more urge upon the leaders of the extreme party to weigh well the responsibilities they are incurring. —The Natal Advertiser, 5th January, 1897.


 * If the leaders of the extreme party decide that it is necessary, they must incur a heavy responsibility, and be prepared to face the consequences . . . It might emphasize the fact that Natal wants no more Asiatics, but would it not also emphasize the allegations of injustice and unfair treatment which have been brought against the Colonists? —The Natal Advertiser, 7th January, 1897.


 * Of the two thousand people said to have been at the meeting, we imagine but a small proportion will be ready to do what is illegal. There exists no lawful power by which the quarantined Asiatics can be sent back, or by which others can be prevented coming in, and, further, the British House of Commons would never consent to any law preventing Indian subjects from migrating to any part of the Empire. Although annoying in the present instance, yet it should not be forgotten that recognition of individual liberty is the sheet-anchor of the Constitution. Great Britain herself is suffering acutely from black and yellow competition . . . Many, who are loudest in their condemnation of the Asiatic in the abstract, do not hesitate to support him concretely by buying from him goods they find he sells cheaper.—The Times of Natal, 8th January, 1897.


 * The leaders of the Demonstration movement assumed grave responsibilities at Thursday’s meeting, and some of the speeches were not marked for mildness. Dr. MacKenzie, for instance, did not exercise as much discretion as he might have done, and his dark hints regarding the treatment of Mr. Gandhi were extremely incautious. The mobilization of people to the point of the disembarkation of the Indians from the Courland and Naderi is to be a “peaceable” one, it is said; but who is to guarantee that no personal harm will befall any of the Indian passengers, after the assembly was worked up? And who will be primarily and morally responsible if harm does attend the Demonstration? One leader, or a hundred leaders, may urge a few thousands of citizens to be calm; but what control would such leaders have over such an assembly, which naturally bears a bitter grudge against all free Indians, intensified against the new arrivals and Mr. Gandhi, by reason of the recent agitations? —The Natal Advertiser, 9th January, 1897.


 * The present agitation is, primarily, the outcome of the attempt to import Indian artisans by the Immigration Board, which the Press instantly and emphatically denounced . . . But because the Press will not go to extremes and support prematurely drastic measures, it is denounced in unmeasured terms . . . We must not blame the Imperial Government