MAHATMA - Volume 3 (1930-1934) - Mahatma Gandhi

MAHATMA - Volume 3 (1930-1934)
peaceful civil resisters out of a cannon's mouth. If you will bestir yourselves just
a little, I assure you we should be able to tire this Government out in a very
short time. I want you, therefore, to understand the meaning of this struggle
and to do your part in it. If it is only curiosity that moves you to walk this long
distance, you had better not waste your time and mine. If you come here to
bless us and our movement, the blessings must take some concrete shape. I do
not want any money from you. I am hoping that it may be possible to fight this
battle with the least possible money. So I don't want you to contribute any
money just now. That you will do unasked when our suffering has reached that
stage which cannot but compel your sympathy. But I want you to take your
courage in both hands and contribute in men towards the struggle which
promises to be fierce and prolonged."
Day after day he explained his programme, answered questions, and gave his
message at prayer meetings. There was no limit to the number of visitors to the
ashram and the press reporters broke the sanctity of prayer grounds. There was
a cryptic letter from a Revolutionary Party to "Comrade Gandhi", giving him
three years' time to try his non-violence. A German doctor sent a drawing
executed by himself along with a note that in far-off Germany, "a humble
fellow pilgrim is praying for him and his work every morning and evening." "God
guard you," said a New York message from Rev. Holmes. Presistent rumours
were afloat of his impending arrest and deportation. On March 11 the crowd
swelled to 10,000 when the evening prayers were held. At the end Gandhi
delivered a memorable speech on the eve of the historic march:
"In all probability this will be my last speech to you. Even if the Government
allow me to march tomorrow morning, this will be my last speech on the sacred
banks of the Sabarmati. Possibly, these may be the last words of my life here.
"I have already told you yesterday what I had to say. Today I shall confine
myself to what you all should do after my companions and I are arrested. The
programme of the march to Jalalpur must be fulfilled as originally settled. The
enlistment of volunteers for this purpose should be confined to Gujarat. From
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