the impracticability of his scheme and the dangers involved
in it. Many Liberal League organisations implored Mr.
Gandhi not to lead the country to a repetition of the
Punjab tragedy. Moderate leaders like Sir Narayan Chandavarkar
argued the futility of methods leading to
anarchy and chaos. But the most amusing, even
at such serious times, was the attitude of some
Congressmen. These were variously divided. All hailed
Non-Co-operation in theory. But when the time
came for practising it, they Hooded the country with a
mass of literature of the most tortuous kind; casuistry was
dealt in abundance. Aspirants after Council honours
refused to commit what they called "political suicide" by
"boycotting the New Councils". Others affected to believe
in the possibilities of further efforts of constitutional agitation.
Still others detected illegalities in some stages of
Non-Cooperation. And yet some would not commit
them¤elves but await the verdict of the Special Congress.
A minority would contest at the elections only to resign
again and yet some others would join the New Councils
just to wreck the Reforms! What a cloud of words and
mystification of meaning! To all this warfare of words
Mr. Gandhi’s own direct and simple statements are in
refreshing contrast. He spoke and wrote strongly on the
subject. There could be no doubt of his intentions or his
plans. There was no ambiguity in his language. His
words went straight as a bullet and he had a wholesome
scorn of diplomatic reserves in opinion. Whatever one
may think of his views Mr. Gandhi’s leadership was
faultless and he held his ground with the fervour of faith.
In no case would he play to the gallery nor make light
of his cherished convictions even if he found the whole
mass of the people ranged against him. be would not be
led away by the passing gusts of popular frenzy and he
has a wholesome contempt for sycophancy of any kind,
even to the people. He has a noble way of bearing the
brunt of all toil and trouble. He would not like many
other "leaders" throw the followers into the fray while
they continue to remain in comparative security. He
Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/70
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44
M. K. GANDHI