The most tragic consequence of dependence on the complex machinery of a foreign government is the atrophy of the communal sense.  The direct touch with administrative cause and effect is lost.  An outside protector performs all the necessary functions of the community in a mysterious manner, and communal duties are not realised by the people.  The one reason addressed by those who deny to us the capacity for self-rule is the insufficient appreciation by the people of communal duties and discipline.  It is only by actually refraining for a time from dependence on Government that we can regain self-reliance, learn first-hand the value of communal duties and build up true national co-operation.  Non-co-operation is a practical and positive training in Swadharma, and Swadharma alone can lead up to Swaraj.

The negative is the best and most impressive method of enforcing the value of the positive.  Few outside government circles realise in the present police anything but tyranny and corruption.  But if the units of the present police were withdrawn we would soon perforce set about organising a substitute, and most people would realise the true social value of a police force.  Few realise in the present taxes anything but coercion and waste, but most people would soon see that a share of every man’s income is due for common purposes and that there are many limitations to the economical management of public institutions; we would begin once again to contribute directly, build up and maintain national institutions in the place of those that now mysteriously spring up and live under Government orders.

EMANCIPATION

Freedom is a priceless thing.  But it is a stable possession only when it is acquired by a nation’s strenuous effort.  What is not by chance or outward circumstance, or given by the generous impulse of a tyrant prince or people is not a reality.  A nation will truly enjoy freedom only when in the process of winning or defending its freedom, it has been purified and consolidated through and through, until liberty has become a part of its very soul.  Otherwise it would be but a change of the form of government, which might please the fancy of politicians, or satisfy the classes in power, but could never emancipate a people.  An Act of Parliament can never create citizens in Hindustan.  The strength, spirit, and happiness of a people who have fought and won their liberty cannot be got by Reform Acts.  Effort and sacrifice are the necessary conditions of real stable emancipation.  Liberty unacquired, merely found, will on the test fail like the Dead-Sea-apple or the magician’s plenty.