which they have sprung and to which they are bound. With their feet firm-set on earth and their hands amongst the stars, they are pointers of the way to those who search, encouragers of the faint and weary, inspirers of those breathing in deep draughts of hope.
MR. K. NATARAJAN
The two questions which made Mahatma Gandhi start non-cooperation were the Rowlatt Act and the Khilafat. The Government agree with him in both. In constitutionally governed countries the Opposition Leader, whose policy on two such capital questions was accepted by Government, would as a matter ol course be put in charge of the Government. A bureaucracy, however, can only imprison him. The bureaucracy accepts new ideas when it can no longer oppose them but punishes the promulgator for disturbing it. The Indian Government cannot tolerate tall poppies. The Montagu reforms have not altered this one bit and that is the conclusive condemnation; my objection to the system is not so much that it has failed in this or that branch of administration, but that in its total and inevitable incidence it condemns our soul to a stinted aimless life. The remedy is a complete change of system to complete responsible Government, The conversion of the present system can be carried out only by a plan steadily and presistently worked upon. Such a scheme will be shortly placed before the country. Non-co-operation by itself is not enough. It is like one who has voluntarily renounced the use of one of his limbs. We should study the system not only in its weak points but also its strong ones. Violence is not force. Effective strength always amplies perfect non-violence. The Mahatma’s greatest contribution to humanity is the application which he has elaborated of the grand principle of ahimsa to the region of politics. — (After Mr. Gandhfs arrest; in the "Bombay Chronicle.")
MRS. SAROJINI NAIDU
A convict and a criminal in the eyes of the Law! Nevertheless the entire Court rose in an act of spontaneous homage when Mahatma Gandhi entered—a frail, serene, indomptable figure in a coarse and scanty loin cloth, accompanied by his devoted disciple and fellow-prisoner, Bhankerlal Banker.
"So you are seated near me to give me your support in case I break down," he jeeted, with that happy laugh of his which seems to hold all the undimmed radiance of the world’s childhood in its depths. And looking round at the hosts of familiar faces of men and women who bad travelled far to offer him a token of their love, he added, "This is like a family gathering and not a law court."
A thrill of mingled fear, pride, hope and anguish ran through the crowded hall when the Judge took his seat—an admirable Judge deserving of our praise alike for his brave and resolute sense of duty, his flawless courtesy, his just perception of a unique occasion and his fine tribute to a unique personality.
