Page:The Pilgrims' March.djvu/147

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MAHATMA GANDHI
127

harmless thing. There is really nothing for us to suspend. We cannot be expected until there is actual settlement or guarantee of settlement to ask school boys to return to Government schools, or lawyers to resume practice, or public men become candidates for the Councils, or title holders to ask for the return of their titles. In the nature of things it is therefore clear that the non-co-operators have to do nothing.

Speaking personally I can certainly say that if there is a genuine desire for a Conference I would be the last person to advise precipitating aggressive civil disobedience, which certainly it is my intention to do, immediately I am entirely satisfied that the people have understood the secret of non-violence, and Let me say the last ten days' events have shown that the people seem clearly to understand its inestimable value. If, then, the Government recognises that the non-co-operators mean business they intend to suffer limitlessly for the attainment of their goal let the Government unconditionally retrace its steps, cancel the notification about the disbandment of volunteer organisations, and prohibition of public meetings and release all those men in the different provinces who have been arrested, and sentenced for so-called civil