462 EARLIER INDIAN SPEECHES
decided upon the disobedience of orders that may be issued by the Magistrates under the Riot Act. lam anxious to make it as clear as I can that in this move- ment no pressure can be put upon people who do nol wish to accept our suggestions and advice, the move men! being essentially one to secure the greatest freedorr for all Satyagrahis, cannot forcibly demand release oi those who might be arrested, whether justly or unjustly. The essence of the Pledge is to invite imprisonment and until the Committee decides upon the breach of the Riot Act, it is the duty of Satyagrahis to obey, without making the slightest ado, Magisterial orders to disperse, hope that the next Sunday at Satyagraha meetings, all speeches will be free from passion, anger or resentment, The movement depends for its success entirely upon perfect self-possession, self-restraint, absolute adherence to truth and unlimited capacity for self-suffering Before closing this letter, I would add that, in opposing the Rowlatt Legislation, Satyagrahis are resisting the spirit of terrorism which lies behind it and of which it is a mort glaring symptom. The Delhi tragedy imposes an added responsibility upon Satyagrahis of steeling their hearts and going on with their struggle until the Row latt Legislation is withdrawn.
MESSAGE TO MADRAS SATYAGRAHIS
The following message from Mr. M. K. Gandhi wc*s read at the great meeting in Madras held on the Satyagraha Day on 6th April :
I do hope that the Presidency that produced beauti- ful Valliamma, Nagappan, Narayanaswami and so many
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