Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-03-26
GANDHI'S DOCTRINE OF NONV1OlENCL
FAR IN ADVANCE OF HIS AGE.
+ AHATMA GANDIII, the Hindu sage and

NI patriot. saws the world is lacking III apprc-
ciation Of spiritual values He thinks the people
of the west are especially lacking i'll recognition
of the power of spiritual things. lie says wars
will never be exterminated until mankind De-
comes more spiritual and adopts the principles
of brotherhood and accord instead or compe1i-
ton and superiority OF brute force.
Asked how to cure the evils OF wars and
ornaments he said he would do 1t by nonylo-
lence. the tactics he has used so successfully
against the British government and It's control
of India He said nonviolence would eventually
be the weapon of all nations but still believes we
will have wars for long time for the very rea-
son that mankind is SO unmndful of the power
of the spirit. The aged philosopher IS wise
This Oriental sage criticizes the west for its
materiasm and lie has plenty Of reason for do
inc SO. But like many others who would teach
mankind. he is far III advance OF his age III the
doctrines he upholds.
Gandhi's principle Of nonviolence would not
have worked very we'll in the past and it never
will work until the mass OF mankind becomes
more spiritually minded, as Gandhi advocates.
Charles Martel and his fighting army be-
hind him stopped the Turkish invasion OF Eu-
rope and saved European civilization from the
degradation of Northumberland. The common
people of France gained greater degree OF lib
ertv after dire oppression and did 1t by blood
shed III their great revolution. The Engllshmen
gained the Magma Charta and other liberties
only after wars without number. Washington
and his patriots fought to free America II the
South had been allowed peacefully to secede
from the Union. would human slavery still exist
III American Suppose Belgium and France had
allowed the invading German hordes to walk I'LL
opposed into the capitals OF their countries and
TO swarm over the two nations. 1t those two
nations had adopted the policy OF nonviolence,
would they today be enjoying their present lib
critics OF would they be vassals OF the conquer
ing Gcrmans2 Simply to ask the question is
sufficient to show the utter futillty OF policy
Of nonvioIenee III 4 world constituted is ours i
today.
Gandh would cure crimes Of violence Iii
yorce and liquor evils Ill the United States by
Self-pnrification, nonviolence and love. lie lays
great stress on the teachings OF Christ but says
Christian missionaries in India ought to confine
their work to service to the poor to educational
endeavor and medical aid. He believes every ma
tons religion is as good as any other. Most
men will differ with Gandh in that statement
If we measure religions by the civilizations they
have been instrumental III building up, the
Hindu sage has not much to uphold him III that
contention.
Tie Occident thinks Of the Oriental heather
as benighted and ignorant and millions OF then
are. The educated Oriental sage looks upol
western civilization with more or less derison
Gandhi ought to come west and sec the glorle
Of a civilization that is producing horde Q
cigarette smoking, gin-drinking females.