Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/180

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90 THE SOUTH AFRICAN INDIAN QUESTION advice to you is: Do not xeindenture, hut by all means serve your present masters under the common law of the country. Now, in the event of any occasion arising (which I hope it will not do), you will know what is necessary. I I * Victoria County has not been as free from violence as the Newcastle District was You retaliated. I do not care whether it was under provocation or not, but you retaliated, and have used sticks and stones, and you have burnt sugarcane. That is not passive resistance. If I had been in your midst I would have repudiated you, and allowed rather my own head to be broken than allow a single stick or stone to be used. Passive resis- tance is a more oowerful weapon than all the sticks, stones, and gunpowder in the world. If imposed upon, you must suffer even unto death. That is passive re- sistance. If, therefore, I was an indentured Indian working for the Hon. Mr. Marshall Campbell, Mr. Saunders or other employer, and if I found my treatment not just, I would not go to the Protector-—I would go to my nester and ask for justice; and if he would not grant itI would say that I would remain there without food cr drink until it was granted. I am quite sure that the stonieet heart will be melted by passive resistance. Let this sink deeply into yourselves. This is a sovereign and most effective remedy. * * "` I shall now say my farewell to Verulam and you all. The scene before me will not fade in my memory, be the distance ever so great. May God help you all in your trouble. May your own conduct be such that Go:} may find it possible to help you.