Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/677

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to incite to violence, they have, in publishing their regret, taken the only honourable course open to public men of thsir position. I should also have been prepared to justify the undertaking they have given for the future, had that undertaking been address- ed to those of their co-workers, who, unlike themselves, do not believe in the cult of violence in any circum- stances whatever. But the general words 'public assur- ance and promise to all who may require it' cannot in the circumstances leave any one m a doubt as to the particular party, who did require such 'assurance and promise' and at whose bidding it was given. The Vice- roy's speech has now made it perfectly clear, and we have the indisputable fact that the leader of the N.-C.- O. movement has been treating with the Government, and has secured the suspension of the prosecution of the Brothers, by inducing them to give a public apology and an undertaking.

"In this view of the case, and I fail to see what other view is possible very serious questions affecting the whole movement arise for consideration. Indeed it seems to me that the whole principle of Non-Co-opera- tion has been given away.

"I am not one of those who fit? he shy of the very name of Government, nor of those who look upon an eventual settlement with the Government as the only means of obtaining redress? of our wrongs and establish- ing Swaraj. I believe in what you have constantly taught, viz , that the achievement of Swaraj rests entirely and solely with us. At the same time, I do not nor so far as I am aware, do you, exclude the possibility of a settlement with the Government under proper con- ditions. Such settlement, however, can only relate to

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