Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/671

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us. The Viceroy represents a big world. His Excel- lency wanted to know why I, with whom co-operation was an article of faith, had Non-Co-operated There must be something wrong with the Government, or me.

And so His Excellency mentioned to Pandit Mala- viyaji and to Mr. Andrews that he would like to see me and hear my views. I went to see the Panditji because he was anxious to meet me. I hold him in such high regard that I would not think even if he was well and I could help it, of letting him come to me. As it was, he was too weak to travel to mo. It was my duty to JLTO to him. And whan I hoard the purport of his conversation with His Excellency, I did not require any persuasion to prompt me to asK for an appointment it His Excellency wished to hear my views. I have devoted so much space to tho reason for my seeking an appointment, for I wanted to make clear the limits and tho mraning of Non-Co-operat'on.

It is directed not against men but against measures. It is not directed against the Governors, but against the system they administer. The roots of Non-Co-opera- tion lie not in hatred but in justice, if not in love. Glad- stone used to draw a sharp distinction between bad actions and bad men. He was accused of discourtesy for using some very strong expressions about the arts of his opponents. He put up the defence that ;ie would have failed in his duty if he had not characterised their actions as they deserved to be, but he did not therefore mean to convey that his opponents deserved thij epithets he had used about their acts. As a youth, when I heard this defence, I could not appreciate it. Now with years of experience and use, I understand how true it was. I have found some of the truest of my friends capable of

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