Page:The Pilgrims' March.djvu/35

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LALA LAJPAT RAI
13

doctrine of non-violence. They have given the lie to both these misconceptions. They might have been a little behind others in the preliminary stages, but they made up the leeway rapidly and passed the others by over a length at the crucial moment, while as regards non-violence, with its attendant conception of self-sacrifice they have given the most amazing proofs by their behavior at Nankana Sahib on the 15th November and later at Ajnala and Amristar. They have proved themselves descendants of their great Gurus and the example they have set of self-sacrifice, calm courage, devoid of swagger and absolute self-control in the face of provocation, will be hard to beat. If I have ever thought of them as being backward I must readily apologize now.

One word more before I have done. The day of our trial is fast approaching. It behoves every one to do his best in this crucial moment and one of the first duties of every citizen is not to believe silly and alarming rumours nor spread them about, unless the facts are well authenticated. There were first the rumours about Dr. Kitchlew. Yesterday people were bandying about that there had been firing in Amritsar on Sunday last. Both these have