Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/265

 long run such discarding of all caution and moderation leads to success or not ? It is only in the throes of tumult that Nations are born. It is exactly at this time that the moderate leaders, terrified at the narrow line which separates them and the people from utter destruction cry halt. Their gray hair, their long and faithful services to the country fail to evoke anytking like reverential obedience. But what can the people do ? Is not the maxim " nothing venture, nothing have " tme in pohtics also ? Does it not perhaps become the only honourable and probably successful course on such occasions ? Unfortunately these are questions for the iuture historian and not for the soldiers in fight.

In the manly representation made mainly under the inspiration of Mr. Tilak by the All-India Congress Com- mittee to the Viceroy and the Secretary of State, the re- presesive and reactionary policy of the Government of the day was condemned and the urgent necessity of the immediate grant of a substantial instalment of Swaraj was established. It was plainly stated that unless a Roysd Proclamation regarding the early fulfilment of all our aspirations was issued and Mrs. Besant and the Ali brothers were forthwith set free the prevailing discontent would not be allayed. The Congress Com-lmittee also testified to the unexceptionable and satisfactory work done by the Home Rule Leagues. It wiM thus be seen that the representation of the Committee was a statesmanlike document which profoundly in- fluenced the course of future events.

Though Mr. Tilak was anxious to get the All-India Congress Committee pass a resolution recommending the adoption of Passive Resistance, still he was more