CHAPTER

NOLI ME TANGERE 9
Touch Me Not
NOLI ME TANGERE CHAPTER
9
A satirical novel exposing the arrogance and autocrat of the
Spanish clergy. John Louie Ramos wrote in International Writers
And Literature: "In the patriotic novel Noli Me Tangere, shaped
the minds and opened the eyes of his fellow Filipinos to the
abuses they have suffered at the hands of tyrannical Spanish
authorities. He proved that the pen is mightier than the sword. He
symbolically painted a portrait quite similar to the conditions of
the Philippines during that time.
 CHAPTER
El filibusterismo 9
The Reign of the Greed
El filibusterismo CHAPTER
9
The second novel and a sequel to the "Noli" is
more revolutionary and tragic than "El Fili."
Hence in this second book, Rizal pictured a
society at the brink of revolution. The Indios had
started to adapt liberal ideas and guerrilla
factions had started to revolt against the
government.
 CHAPTER
The Philippines 9
A century hence
 PART
The Philippines 1
A century hence
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
1

Following our usual custom of facing squarely the most when a people changes its form of government, its laws,
difficult and delicate questions relating to the Philippines, usages, customs, religion and beliefs the Philippines were
without weighing the consequences that our frankness may depopulated, impoverished and retarded-caught in their
bring upon us, we shall in the present article treat of their metamorphosis, without confidence in their past, without
future. faith in their present and with no fond hope for the years to
In order to read the destiny of a people, it is come. The former rulers who had merely endeavored to
necessary to open the book of its past, and this, for the secure the fear and submission of their subjects, habituated
Philippines, may be reduced in general terms to what by them to servitude, fell like leaves from a dead tree, and
follows. the people, who had no love for them nor knew what
Scarcely had they been attached to the Spanish crown liberty was, easily changed masters, perhaps hoping to gain
than they had to sustain with their blood and the efforts of something by the innovation.
their sons, the wars and ambitions of conquest of the
Spanish people, and in these struggles, in that terrible crisis
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
1

Then began a new era for the Filipinos. They rites that caught the eye, songs, lights, images arrayed with
gradually lost their ancient traditions, their recollections, gold, worship in a strange language, legends, miracles and
they forgot their writings, their songs, their poetry, their sermons, hypnotized the already naturally superstitious
laws, in order to learn by heart other doctrines, which they spirit of the country, but did not succeed in destroying it
did not understand, other ethics, other tastes, different altogether, in spite of the whole system afterwards
from those inspired in their race by their climate and their developed and operated with unyielding tenacity.
way of thinking. When the ethical abasement of the inhabitants had
Then there was a falling-off, they were lowered in reached this when they had become disheartened and
their own eyes, they became ashamed of what was disgusted with themselves, an effort was made to add the
distinctively their own, in order to admire and praise what final stroke for reducing so many dormant wills and
was foreign and incomprehensible: their spirit was broken intellects to nothingness, in order to make the individual a
and they acquiesced. sort of toiler, a brute, a beast of burden, and to develop a
Thus, years and centuries rolled on. Religious shows, race without mind or heart.
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
1

Then the end sought was revealed, it was taken for granted, jests. Then he began to study himself and to realize his
the race was insulted, an effort was made to deny it every virtue, misfortune. Those who had not expected this result, like all
every human characteristic, and there were even writers and despotic masters, regarded as wrong, every complaint, every
priests who pushed the movement still further by trying to deny protest, and punished it with death, stifle every cry of sorrow
to the natives of the country not only capacity for virtue but also with blood, and they made mistake after mistake.
even the tendency to vice. Then this which they had thought The spirit of the people was not thereby cowed, and even
would be death. Some dying persons are restored to health by a though it had been awakened in only a few hearts, its flame
heroic remedy. nevertheless was surely and consumingly propagated, thanks to
So, great endurance reached its climax with the insults, and abuses and the stupid personality of certain classes to stifle noble
the lethargic spirit woke to life. His sensitiveness, the chief trait and generous sentiments. Thus when a flame catches a garment,
of the native, was touched, and while he had had the fear and confusion propagate it more and more, and each
forbearance to suffer and die under a foreign flag, he had it not shake, each blow, is a blast from the bellows, to fan it into life.
when they whom he served repaid his sacrifices with insults and
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
1

Undoubtedly, during all this time there were not stage, what kind of sacrifices will have to be made? Will
lacking generous and noble spirits among the dominant they be separated from the mother country to live
race that tried to struggle for the rights of humanity and independently, to fall into the hands of other nations, or
justice, or sordid and cowardly ones among the to ally themselves with neighboring powers?
dominated that aided the debasement of their own It is impossible to reply to these questions, for to all
country. But both were exceptions and we are speaking of them both yes and no may be answered, according to
in general terms. the time desired. When there is in nature no fixed
Such is an outline of their past. We know their condition, how much less must there be in the life of a
present. Now, what will their future be? Will the people, beings endowed with mobility and movement! So
Philippine Islands continue to be a Spanish colony, and it is that in order to deal with these questions, it is
if so, what kind of colony? Will they become a province necessary to presume an unlimited period of time, and in
of Spain, with or without autonomy? And to reach this accordance therewith try to forecast future events.
 PART
The Philippines 2
A century hence
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

What will become of the Philippines within a century? and disorder, apathy and brutalization in the lower classes,
Will they continue to be a Spanish colony? discouragement and disunion in the upper, only one answer
Had this question been asked three centuries ago, when at presented itself, and it was: extend his hands to the chains, bow
Legazpi's death the Malayan Filipinos began to be gradually his neck beneath the yoke and accept the future with the
undeceived and, finding the yoke heavy, tried in vain to shake it resignation of an invalid who watches the leaves fall and foresees
off, without any doubt whatsoever, the reply would have been a long winter amid whose snows he discerns the outlines of his
easy. To a spirit enthusiastic over the liberty of the country, to grave. At that time discord justified pessimism-but three
those unconquerable Kagayanes who nourished within centuries passed, the neck had become accustomed to the yoke,
themselves the spirit of the Magalats, to the descendants of the and each new generation, begotten in chains, was constantly
heroic Gat Pulintang and Gat Salakab of the Province of better adapted to the new order of things.
Batangas, independence was assured, it was merely a question of Now, then, are the Philippines in the same condition they
getting together and making a determined effort. But for him were three centuries ago?
who, disillusioned by sad experience, saw everywhere discord
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

For the liberal Spaniards the ethical condition of the

people remains the same, that is, the native Filipinos have Let us pass over the loyalty the Filipinos may feel for
not advanced; for the friars and their followers the people Spain; let us suppose for a moment, along with Spanish
have been redeemed from savagery, that is, they have writers, that there exist only motives for hatred and jealousy
progressed; for many Filipinos ethics, spirit and customs between the two races; let us admit the assertions flaunted by
have decayed, as decay all the good qualities of a people that many that three centuries of domination have not awakened
falls into slavery that is, they have retrogressed. Laying aside in the sensitive heart of the native a single spark of affection
these considerations, so as not to get away from our subject, or gratitude; and we may see whether or not the Spanish
let us draw a brief parallel between the political situation cause had gained ground in the Islands.
then and the situation at present, in order to see if what was
not possible at that time can be so now, or vice versa.
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

Formerly the Spanish authority was upheld among the with pirates, all enemies of the Spanish name, which was
natives by a handful of soldiers, three to five hundred at most, defended by an improvised fleet, generally manned by rude
many of whom were engaged in trade and were, scattered about adventurers, when not by foreigners and enemies, as happened
not only in the Islands but also among the neighboring nations, in the expedition of Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas, which was
occupied in long wars against the Mohammedans in the south, checked and frustrated by the mutiny of the Chinese rowers,
against the British and Dutch, and ceaselessly harassed by who killed him and thwarted all his plans and schemes. Yet in
Japanese, Chinese, or some tribe in the interior. Then spite of so many adverse circumstances the Spanish authority
communication with Mexico and Spain was slow, rare and had been upheld for more than three centuries and, though it
difficult; frequent and violent the disturbances among the ruling had been curtailed, still continued to rule the destinies of the
powers in the Islands, the treasury nearly always empty, and the Philippine group.
life of the colonists dependent upon one frail ship that handled On the other hand, the present situation seems to be
the Chinese trade. Then the seas in those regions were infested gilded and rosy, a beautiful morning compared to the vexed and
stormy night of the past.
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

The material forces at the disposal of the Spanish Orientals, and the Malays in particular, are a sensitive
sovereign had been trebled, the fleet relatively improved, there people: delicacy of sentiment is predominant with them. Even
is more organization in both civil and military affairs, now, in spite of contact with the occidental nations, who have
communication with the sovereign country is swifter and surer, ideals different from his, we see the Malayan Filipino sacrifice
she had no enemies abroad; her possession was assured; and everything such as: liberty, ease, welfare, name, for the sake of
the country dominated seemed to have less spirit, less an aspiration or a conceit, sometimes scientific, or of some
aspiration for independence, a word that was to it almost other nature, but at the least word which wounds his self-love
incomprehensible. Everything then at first glanced presages he forgets all his sacrifices, the labor expended, to treasure in
another three centuries, at least, of peaceful domination and his memory and never forget the slight he thinks he has
tranquil suzerainty or a service. received.
But above the material considerations are arising others,
invisible, of an ethical nature, far more powerful and
transcendental.
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

So the Filipinos have remained faithful during three mutual dissensions, and to the fact that the sensitive self-love of
centuries, giving up their liberty and their independence, the native had not yet been wounded.
sometimes dazzled by the hope of the Paradise promised, Then the people saw their own countrymen in the higher
sometimes cajoled by the friendship offered them by a noble ranks of the army, their general officers fighting beside the
and generous people like the Spanish, sometimes also heroes of Spain and sharing their laurels, begrudged neither
compelled by superiority of arms of which they were ignorant character, reputation nor consideration; then fidelity and
and which timid spirits invested with a mysterious character, or attachment to Spain, love of the motherland made of the
sometimes because the invading foreigner took advantage of native, encomendero and even general, as during the English
intestine feuds to step in as the peacemaker in discord and thus invasion; then, there had not yet been invented the insulting
later to dominate both parties and subject them to his authority. and ridiculous with which recently the most laborious and
Spanish domination once established, it was firmly painful achievements of the native leaders have been
maintained, thanks to the attachment of the people, to their stigmatized;
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

not then had it become the fashion to insult and three centuries of brutalization and obscurantism have
slander in stereotyped phrase, in newspapers and books necessarily had some influence upon us, the most beautiful
published with governmental and superior ecclesiastical work of divinity in the hands of certain artisans may finally
approval, the people that paid, fought and poured out its be converted into a Caricature.
blood for the Spanish name, nor was it considered either The priests of that epoch, wishing to establish their
noble or witty to offend a whole race, which was forbidden domination over the people, got in touch with it and made
to reply or defend itself; and if there were religious common cause with it against the oppressive encomenderos.
hypochondriacs who in the leisure of their cloisters dared to Naturally, the people saw in them greater learning and some
write against it, as did the Augustinian Gaspar de San prestige and placed its confidence in them, followed their
Agustin and the lesuit Velarde, their loathsome abortions advice, and listened to them even in the darkest hours. If
never saw the light, and still less were they themselves they wrote, they did so in defense of the rights of the native
rewarded with miters and raised to high offices. True it is and made his cry reach even to the distant steps of the
that neither were the natives of that time such as we are now: throne.
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

And not a few priests, both secular and regular, native who pays and suffers and it becomes more
undertook dangerous journeys, as representatives of offensive the more immunity it enjoys. A common
the country, and this, along with the strict and public sore, the general affront offered to a whole race, has
residencia then required of the governing powers, wiped away the old feuds among different provinces.
from the captain-general to the most insignificant The people no longer has confidence in its
official, rather consoled and pacified the wounded former protectors, now its exploiters and
spirits, satisfying, even though it were only in form, all executioners. The masks have fallen.
the malcontents.
All these had passed away. The derisive laughter
penetrates like mortal poison into the heart of the
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

It has seen that the love and piety of the past have official, as in the recent matter of admitting corpses into the
come to resemble the devotion of a nurse who, unable to church, it is enough to have the obedient subject later
live elsewhere, desires eternal infancy, eternal weakness, for harassed and persecuted in every possible way; obligations
the child in order to go on drawing her wages and existing at and taxes increase without thereby increasing rights,
its expense; it has seen not only that she does not nourish it privileges and liberties or assuring the few in existence; a
to make it grow but that she poisons it to stunt its growth, regime of continual terror and uncertainty disturbs the
and at the slightest protest, she flies into a rage! The ancient minds, a régime worse than a period of disorder, for the
show of justice, the holy residencia, has disappeared; fears that the imagination conjures up are generally greater
confusion of ideas begins to prevail; the regard shown for a than the reality; the country is poor; the financial crisis
governor-general, like La Torre, becomes a crime in the through which it is passing is acute, and every one points out
government of his successor, sufficient to cause the citizen to with the finger the persons who are causing the trouble, yet
lose his liberty and his home; if he obey the order of one no one dares lay hands upon them!
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

The Penal Code has come like a drop of balm to such If this state of affairs should continue, what will become
bitterness. But of what use are all the codes in the world, if of the Philippines within a century? The batteries are
by means of confidential reports, if for trifling reasons, if gradually becoming charged and if the prudence of the
through anonymous traitors any honest citizen may be exiled government does not provide an outlet for the currents that
or banished without a hearing, without a trial? Of what use is are accumulating, some day the spark will be generated. This
that Penal Code, of what use is life, if there is no security in is not the place to speak of what outcome such a deplorable
the home, no faith in justice and confidence in tranquility of conflict might have, for it depends upon chance, upon the
conscience? Of what use is all that array of terms, all that weapons and upon a thousand circumstances which man can
collection of articles, when the cowardly accusation of a not foresee. But even though all the advantage should be on
traitor has more influence in the timorous ears of the the government's side and therefore the probability of
supreme autocrat than all the cries for justice? success, it would be an excessive cost to had a victory for
government.
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

If those who guide the destinies of the Philippines remain are superior in numbers, to their dominators? Who disputes
obstinate, and instead of introducing reforms try to make the this? All the petty insurrections that have occurred in the
condition of the country retrogress, to push their severity and Philippines were the work of a few fanatics or discontented
repression to extremes against the classes that suffer and think, soldiers, who had to deceive and humbug the people or avail
they are going to force the latter to venture and put into play the themselves of their power over their subordinates to gain their
wretchedness of an unquiet life, filled with privation and ends. So they all failed. No insurrection had a popular character
bitterness, against the hope of securing something indefinite. or was based on a need of the whole race or fought for human
What would be lost in the struggle? Almost nothing: the life of rights or justice, so it left no ineffaceable impressions, but rather
the numerous discontented classes has no such great attraction when they saw that they had been duped the people bound up
that it should be preferred to a glorious death. It may indeed be their wounds and applauded the overthrow of the disturbers of
a suicidal attempt-but then, what? Would not a bloody chasm their peace! But what if the movement springs from the people
yawn between victors and vanquished, and might not the latter themselves and bases its cause upon their woes?
with time and experience become equal in strength, since they
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

So then, if the prudence and wise reforms of our There now exists a factor which was formerly lacking
ministers do not find capable and determined interpreters the spirit of the nation has been aroused, and a common
among the colonial governors and faithful perpetuators misfortune, a common debasement, has united all the
among those whom the frequent political changes send to inhabitants of the Islands. A numerous enlightened class
fill such a delicate post; if met with the eternal it is out of now exists within and without the Islands, a class created
order, preferred by the elements who see their livelihood in and continually augmented by the stupidity of certain
the backwardness of their subjects; if just claims are to go governing powers, which forces the inhabitants to leave the
unheeded, as being of a subversive tendency; if the country country, to secure education abroad, and it is maintained
is denied representation in the Cortes and an authorized and struggles thanks to the provocations and the system of
voice to cry out against all kinds of abuses, which escape espionage in vogue. This class, whose number is
through the complexity of the laws; if, in short, the system, cumulatively increasing, is in constant communication with
prolific in results of alienating the good will of the natives, is the rest of the Islands, and if today it constitutes only the
to continue, pricking his apathetic mind with insults and brain of the country in a few years it will form the whole
charges of ingratitude, we can assert that in a few years the nervous system and manifest its existence in all its acts.
present state of affairs will have been modified completely-
and nevitably.
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

Now, statecraft has various means at its disposal for missals that inculcate hatred toward not only all scientific
checking a people on the road to progress: the brutalization knowledge but even toward the Spanish language itself; in
of the masses through a caste addicted to the government, spite of this whole elaborate system perfected and
aristocratic, as in the Dutch colonies, or theocratic, as in the tenaciously operated by those who wish to keep the Islands
Philippines; the impoverishment of the country; the gradual in holy ignorance, there exist writers, freethinkers,
extermination of the inhabitants; and the fostering of feuds historians, philosophers, chemists, physicians, artists and
among the races. jurists.
Brutalization of the Malayan Filipino has been Enlightenment is spreading and the persecution it
demonstrated to be impossible. In spite of the dark horde suffers quickens it. No, the divine flame of thought is
of friars, in whose hands rests the instruction of youth, inextinguishable in the Filipino people and somehow or
which miserably wastes years and years in the colleges, other it will shine forth and compel recognition.
issuing there from tired, weary and disgusted with books; in It is impossible to brutalize the inhabitants of the
spite of the censorship, which tries to close every avenue to Philippines!
progress; in spite of all the pulpits, confessionals, books and May poverty arrest their development?
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

Perhaps, but it is a very dangerous means. Experience On the other hand, there occurs in a poor country
has everywhere shown us and especially in the Philippines, what happens in a house where bread is wanting. And
that the classes which are better off have always been further, of what use to the mother country would a poor
addicted to peace and order, because they live and lean colony be?
comparatively better and may be the losers in civil Neither is it possible gradually to exterminate the
disturbances. Wealth brings with it refinement, the spirit of inhabitants. The Philippines races, like a.the Malays, do not
conservation, while poverty inspires adventurous ideas, the succumb before the foreigner, like the Australian, the
desire to change things, and has little care for life. Polynesians and the Indians of the New World. In spite of
Machiavelli himself held this means of subjecting a people the numerous wars the Filipinos have had to carry on, in
to be perilous, observing that loss of welfare stirs up more spite of the epidemics that have periodically visited them,
obdurate enemies than loss of life. Moreover, when there their number has trebled, as has that of the Malays of Java
are wealth and abundance, there is less discontent, less and the Moluccas.
complaint, and the government, itself wealthier, has more The Filipino embraces civilization and lives and
means for sustaining itself. thrives in every clime, in contact with every people.
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2
Rum, that poison which exterminated the natives of the been reorganized, that the inhabitants move from one island to
Pacific islands, has no power in the Philippines, but, rather, another, communication and exchange of impressions naturally
comparison of their present condition with that described by the increase, and as all see themselves threatened by the same peril
early historians, makes it appear that the Filipinos have grown and wounded in the same feelings, they clasp hands and make
soberer. The petty wars with the inhabitants of the South common cause. It is true that the union is not yet wholly
consume only the soldiers, people who by their fidelity to the perfected, but to this end tend the measures of good
Spanish flag, far from being a menace, are surely one of its government, the vexations to which the townspeople are
solidest supports. subjected, the frequent changes of officials, the scarcity of
There remains the fostering of famine feuds among the centers of learning, which forces the youth of all the Islands to
provinces. come together and begin to get acquainted.
This was formerly possible, when communication from The journeys to Europe contribute not a little to tighten
one island to another was rare and difficult, when there were no the bonds, for abroad the inhabitants of the most widely
steamers or telegraph-lines, when the regiments were formed separated provinces are impressed by their patriotic feelings,
according to the various provinces, when some provinces were from sailors even to the wealthiest merchants, and at the sight of
cajoled by awards of privileges and honors and others were modern liberty and the memory of the misfortunes of their
protected from the strongest. But now that the privileges have country, they embrace and call one another brothers.
disappeared, that through a spirit of distrust the regiments have
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
2

In short, then, the advancement and ethical progress of the Philippines are inevitable, are
decreed by fate. The Islands cannot remain in the condition they are without requiring from the
sovereign country more liberty Mutatis mutandis. For new men, a new social order.
To wish that the alleged child remain in its swaddling-clothes is to risk that it may turn
against its nurse and flee, tearing away the old rags that bind it.
The Philippines, then, will remain under Spanish domination, but with more law and
greater liberty, or they will declare themselves independent, after steeping themselves and the
mother country in blood.
As no one should desire or hope for such an unfortunate rupture, which would be an evil
for all and only the final argument in the most desperate predicament, let us see by what forms
of peaceful evolution the Islands may remain subjected to the Spanish authority with the very
least detriment to the rights, interests and dignity of both parties.
 PART
The Philippines 3
A century hence
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
3

If the Philippines must remain under the control of unstable grounds.

Spain, they will necessarily have to be transformed in a We said, and once more we repeat, and will ever
political sense, for the course of their history and the needs assert, that reforms which have a palliative character are not
of their inhabitants so require. This we demonstrated in the only ineffectual but even prejudicial, when the government
preceding article. We also said that this transformation will is confronted with evils that must be cured radically. And
be violent and fatal if it proceeds from the ranks of the were we not convinced of the honesty and rectitude of
people, but peaceful and fruitful if it emanate from the some governors, we would be tempted to say that all the
upper classes. Some governors have realized this truth, and, partial reforms are only plasters and salves of a physician
impelled by their patriotism, have been trying to introduce who, not knowing how to cure the cancer, and not daring to
needed reforms in order to forestall events. root it out, tries in this way to alleviate the patient's
But not with standing all that have been ordered up to sufferings or to temporize with the cowardice of the timid
the present time, they have produced scanty results, for the and ignorant.
government as well as for the country. Even those that All the reforms of our liberal ministers were, have
promised only a happy issue have at times caused injury, been, are, and will be good, when carried out.
for the simple reason that they have been based upon
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
3

When we think of them, we are reminded of the In the case of our country, the reforms take the place
dieting of Sancho Panza in his Barataria Island. He took his of the dishes, the Philippines are Sancho, while the part of
seat at a sumptuous and well-appointed table "covered with the quack physician is played by many persons, interested
fruit and many varieties of food differently prepared," but in not having the dishes touched, perhaps that they may
between the wretch's mouth and each dish the physician themselves get the benefit of them.
Pedro Rezio interposed his wand, saying, "Take it away!" The result is that the long-suffering Sancho, or the
The dish removed, Sancho was as hungry as ever. True it is Philippines, misses his liberty, rejects all government and
that the despotic Pedro Rezio gave reasons, which seem to ends up by rebelling against his quack physician.
have been written by Cervantes especially for the colonial In like manner, so long as the Philippines have no
administrations: "You must not eat, Mr. Governor, except liberty of the press, have no voice in the Cortes to make
according to the usage and custom of other islands where known to the government and to the nation whether or not
there are governors." Something was found to be wrong their decrees have been duly obeyed, whether or not these
with each dish: one was too hot, another too moist, and so benefit the country, all the able efforts of the colonial
on, just like our Pedro Rezios on both sides of the sea. ministers will meet the fate of the dishes in Barataria island.
Great good did his cook's skill do Sancho!
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
3

The minister, then, who wants his reforms to be administers. But the government that governs from afar
reforms, must begin by declaring the press in the absolutely requires that the truth and the facts reach its
Philippines free and by instituting Filipino delegates. The knowledge by every possible channel, so that it may weigh
press is free in the Philippines, because their complaints and estimate them better, and this need increases when a
rarely ever reach the Peninsula, very rarely, and if they do country like the Philippines is concerned, where the
they are so secret, so mysterious, that no newspaper dares inhabitants speak and complain in a language unknown to
to publish them, or if it does reproduce them, it does so the authorities. To govern in any other way may also be
tardily and badly. called governing, but it is to govern badly. It amounts to
A government that rules a country from a great pronouncing judgment after hearing only one of the parties;
distance is the one that has the most need for a free press, it is steering a ship without reckoning its conditions, the
more so even than the government of the home country, if state of the sea, the reefs and shoals, the direction of the
it wishes to rule rightly and fitly. The government that winds and currents. It is managing a house by endeavoring
governs in a country may even dispense with the press (if it merely to give it polish and a fine appearance without
can), because it is on the ground, because it has eyes and watching the money-chest, without looking after the servants
ears, and because it directly observes what it rules and and the members of the family.
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
3
But routine is a declivity down which many preferable to govern blindly or to govern with ample
governments slide, and routine says that freedom of the knowledge?
press is dangerous. Let us see what History says: uprisings Some one will answer that in colonies with a free press,
and revolutions have always occurred in countries the prestige of the rulers, that prop of false governments,
tyrannized over, in countries where human thought and the will be greatly imperiled. We answer that the prestige of the
human heart have been forced to remain silent. nation is preferable to that of a few individuals. A nation
If the great Napoleon had not tyrannized over the acquires respect, not by abetting and concealing abuses, but
press, perhaps it would have warned him of the peril into by rebuking and punishing them. Moreover, to this prestige
which he was hurled and have made him understand that is applicable what Napoleon said about great men and their
the people were weary and the earth wanted peace. Perhaps valets. We, who endure and know all the false pretensions
his genius, instead of being dissipated in foreign and petty persecutions of those sham gods, do not need a
aggrandizement, would have become intensive in laboring free press in order to recognize them; they have long ago
to strengthen his position and thus have assured it. Spain lost their prestige. The free press is needed by the
herself records in her history more revolutions when the government, the government which still dreams of the
press was gagged. What colonies have become independent prestige which it builds upon mined ground.
while they have had a free press and enjoyed liberty? Is it
 PART
The Philippines: A century hence
3

We say the same about the Filipino representatives. Certainly the Spanish people does not spare its blood
What risks does the government see in them? One of where patriotism is concerned, but would not a struggle of
three things: either that they will prove unruly, become principles in parliament be preferable to the exchange of
political trimmers, or act properly. shot in swampy lands, three thousand leagues from home,
Supposing that we should yield to the most absurd in impenetrable forests, under a burning sun or amid
pessimism and admit the insult, great for the Philippines, torrential rains?
but still greater for Spain, that all the representatives would These pacific struggles of ideas, besides being a
be separatists and that in all their contentions they would thermometer for the government, have the advantage of
advocate separatist ideas: does not a patriotic Spanish being cheap and glorious, because the Spanish parliament
majority exist there, is there not present there the vigilance especially abounds in oratorical paladins, invincible in
of the governing powers to combat and oppose such debate. Moreover, it is said that the Filipinos are indolent
intentions? And would not this be better than the discontent and peaceful then what need the government fear? Hasn't it
that ferments and expands in the secrecy of the home, in the any influence in the elections? Frankly, it is a great
huts and in the fields? compliment to the separatists to fear them in the midst of
the Cortes of the nation.
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If they become political trimmers, as is to be expected powder, and Señor Salamanca undoubtedly has no fear of
and as they probably will be, so much the better for the that odor. And if this were all, the Filipinos, who there in
government and so much the worse for their constituents. their own country are accustomed to bathe every day, when
They would be a few more favorable votes, and the they become representatives may give up such a dirty
government could laugh openly at the separatists, if any custom, at least during the legislative session, so as not to
there be. offend the delicate nostrils of the Salamancas with the odor
If they become what they should be, worthy, honest of the bath. It is useless to answer certain objections of
and faithful to their trust, they will undoubtedly annoy an some fine writers regarding the rather brown skins and faces
ignorant or incapable minister with their questions, but they with somewhat wide nostrils. Questions of taste are peculiar
will help him to govern and will be some more honorable to each race. China, for example, which has four hundred
figures among the representatives of the nation. million inhabitants and a very ancient civilization, considers
Now then, if the real objection to the Filipino delegates all Europeans ugly and calls them "fan-kwai," or red devils.
is that they smell like Igorots, which so disturbed in open Its taste has a hundred million more adherents than the
Senate the doughty General Salamanca, then Don Sinibaldo European. Moreover, if this is the question, we would have
de Mas, who saw the Igorots in person and wanted to live to admit the inferiority of the Latins, especially the
with them, can affirm that they will smell at worst like Spaniards, to the Saxons, who are much whiter.
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And so long as it is not asserted that the Spanish country by asking for representatives.
parliament is an assemblage of Adonises, Antinouses, pretty We know that the lack of enlightenment, the
boys, and other like paragons; so long as the purpose of indolence, the egotism of our fellow countrymen, and the
resorting thither is to legislate and not to philosophize or to boldness, the cunning and the powerful methods of those
wander through imaginary spheres, we maintain that the who wish their obscurantism, may convert reform into a
government ought not to pause at these objections. Law has harmful instrument.
no skin, nor reason nostrils. But we wish to be loyal to the government and we are
So we see no serious reason why the Philippines may pointing out to it the road that appears best to us so that its
not have representatives. By their institution many efforts may not come to grief, so that discontent may
malcontents would be silenced, and instead of blaming its disappear. If after so just, as well as necessary, a measure
troubles upon the government, as now happens, the country has been introduced, the Filipino people are so stupid and
would bear them better, for it could at least complain and weak that they are treacherous to their own interests, then
with its sons among its legislators would in a way become let the responsibility fall upon them, let them suffer all the
responsible for their actions. consequences. Every country gets the fate it deserves, and
We are not sure that we serve the true interests of our the government can say that it has done its duty.
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These are the two fundamental reforms, which, properly one ceases to be a man, no one forfeits his rights to civilization
interpreted and applied, will dissipate all clouds, assure merely by being more or less uncultured, and since the Filipino
affection toward Spain, and make all succeeding reforms is regarded as a fit citizen when he is asked to pay taxes or shed
fruitful. These are the reforms sine quibus non. his blood to detend the fatherland, why must this fitness be
It is puerile to fear that independence may come through denied him when the question arises of granting him some
them. The free press will keep the government in touch with right? Moreover, how is he to be held responsible for his
public opinion, and the representatives, if they are, as they ignorance, when it is acknowledged by all, friends and enemies,
ought to be, the best from among the sons of the Philippines, that his zeal for learning is so great that even before the coming
will be their hostages. With no cause for discontent, how then of the Spaniards every one could read and write, and that we
attempt to stir up the masses of the people? now see the humblest families make enormous sacrifices in
Likewise inadmissible is the objection offered by some order that their children may become a little enlightened, even
regarding the imperfect culture of the majority of the to the extent of working as servants in order to learn Spanish?
inhabitants. Aside from the fact that it is not so imperfect as is How can the country be expected to become enlightened under
averred, there is no plausible reason why the ignorant and the present conditions when we see all the decrees issued by the
defective (whether through their own or another's fault) should government in favor of education meet with Pedro Rezios who
be denied representation to look after them and see that they prevent execution thereof, because they have in their hands
are not abused. They are the very ones who most need it. No what they call education?
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If the Filipino, then, is sufficiently intelligent to pay not shake off his indolence he can not complain when he
taxes, he must also be able to choose and retain the one sees all the offices filled by Castilas.
who looks after him and his interests, with the product We presume that it will not be the Spaniard who fears
whereof he serves the government of his nation. To reason to enter into this context, for thus will he be able to prove
otherwise is to reason stupidly. his superiority by the superiority of intelligence. Although
When the laws and the acts of officials are kept under this is not the custom in the sovereign country, it should be
surveillance, the word justice may cease to be a colonial jest. practiced in the colonies, for the reason that genuine
The thing that makes the English most respected in their prestige should be sought by means of moral qualities,
possessions is their strict and speedy justice, so that the because the colonizers ought to be, or at least to seem,
inhabitants repose entire confidence in the judges. Justice is upright, honest and intelligent, just as a man simulates
the foremost virtue of the civilizing races. It subdues the virtues when he deals with strangers. The offices and trusts
barbarous nations, while injustice arouses the and trusts so earned will do away with arbitrary dismissal and develop
should be awarded by competition, publishing the work and employees and officials capable and cognizant of their
the judgment thereon, so that there may be stimulus and duties.
that discontent may not be bred. Then, if the native does
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The offices held by natives, instead of outlines, and no one can say that we ask too much.
endangering the Spanish domination, will merely There will not be lacking critics to accuse us
serve to assure it, for what interest would they have of Utopianism: but what is Utopia? Utopia was a
in converting the sure and stable into the uncertain country imagined by Thomas Moore, wherein
and problematical? The native is, moreover, very existed universal suffrage, religious toleration,
fond of peace and prefers an humble present to a almost complete abolition of the death penalty,
brilliant future. Let the various Filipinos still and so on. When the book was published these
holding office speak in this matter; are the most things were looked upon as dreams,
unshaken conservatives. impossibilities, that is, Utopianism. Yet civilization
We could add other minor reforms touching has left the country of Utopia far behind, the
commerce, agriculture, security of the individual human will and conscience have worked greater
and of property, education, and so on, but these miracles, have abolished slavery and the death
are points with which we shall deal in other penalty for adultery-things impossible for even
articles. For the present we are satisfied with Utopia itself!
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The French colonies have their under the Napoleonic yoke, and they did not take
representatives. The question has also been raised advantage of the sovereign country's misfortune
in the English parliament of giving representation like other colonies, but tightened more firmly the
to the Crown colonies, for the others already enjoy bonds that united them to the nation, giving proofs
some autonomy. The press there also is free. Only of their loyalty; and they continued until many
Spain, which in the sixteenth century was the years later. What crime have the Islands
model nation in civilization, lags far behind. Cuba committed that they are deprived of their rights?
and Porto Rico, whose inhabitants do not number To recapitulate: the Philippines will remain
a third of those of the Philippines, and who have Spanish, if they enter upon the life of law and
not made such sacrifices for Spain, have numerous civilization, if the rights of their inhabitants are
representatives. The Philippines in the early days respected, if the other rights due them are granted,
had theirs, who conferred with the King and the if the liberal policy of the government is carried
Pope on the needs of the country. They had them out without trickery or meanness, without
in Spain's critical moments, when she groaned subterfuges or false interpretations.
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Otherwise, if an attempt is made to see in the Islands but that ties are formed between them stronger than those
a lode to be exploited, a resource to satisfy ambitions, thus fashioned by arms or fear. Mutual sacrifices and benefits
to relieve the sovereign country of taxes, killing the goose have engendered affection. Machiavelli, the great reader of
that lays the golden eggs and shutting its ears to all cries of the human heart, said: la natura degli huomini, é cosi
reason, then, however great may be the loyalty of the obligarsi per li beneficii che essi fanno, come per quelli
Filipinos, it will be impossible to hinder the operations of che essi ricevono (it is human nature to be bound as much
the inexorable laws of history. Colonies established to by benefits conferred as by those received). All this, and
subserve the policy and the commerce of the sovereign more, is true, but it is pure sentimentality, and in the arena
country, all eventually become independent, said Bachelet, of politics stern necessity and interests prevail. Howsoever
and before Bachelet all the Phænecian, Carthaginian, much the Filipinos owe Spain, they can not be required to
Greek, Roman, English, Portuguese and Spanish colonies forego their redemption, to have their liberal and
had said it. Close indeed are the bonds that unite us to enlightened some wander about in exile from their native
Spain. Two peoples do not live for three centuries in land, the rudest aspirations stifled in its atmosphere, the
continual contact, sharing the same lot, shedding their peaceful inhabitant living in constant alarm, with the
blood on the same fields, holding the same beliefs, fortune of the two peoples dependent upon the whim of
worshipping the same God, interchanging the same ideas, one man.
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Spain can not claim, not even in the name of God not bid the Filipinos renounce theirs.
himself, that six millions of people should be brutalized, A people that prides itself on the glories of its past
exploited and oppressed, denied light and the rights can not ask another, trained by it, to accept abjection and
inherent to a human being. and then heap upon them dishonor its own name! We who today are struggling by
slights and insults. There is no claim of gratitude that can the legal and peaceful means of debate so understand it,
excuse, there is not enough powder in the world to and with our gaze fixed upon our ideals, shall not cease
justify, the oftenses against the liberty of the individual, to plead our cause, without going beyond the pale of the
against the sanctity of the home, against the laws, against law, but if violence first silences us or we have the
peace and honor, offenses that are committed there misfortune to fall (which is possible, for we are mortal),
daily. There is no divinity that can proclaim the sacrifice then we do not know what course will be taken by the
of our dearest affections, the sacrifice of the family, the numerous tendencies that will rush in to occupy the
sacrileges and wrongs that are committed by persons who places that we leave vacant.
have the name of God on their lips. No one can require If what we desire is not realized....
an impossibility of the Filipino people. The noble
Spanish people, so jealous of its rights and liberties, can
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In contemplating such an unfortunate give way and perish, as was the case with the
eventuality, we must not turn away in horror, and so inhabitants of the New World, Australia and New
instead of closing our eyes we will face what the Zealand.
future may bring. For this purpose, after throwing the One of the longest was that of the Moors in
handful of dust due to Cerberus, let us frankly Spain, which lasted seven centuries. But, even though
descend into the abyss and sound its terrible the conquerors lived in the country conquered, even
mysteries. though the Peninsula was broken up into small states,
History does not record in its annals any lasting which gradually emerged like little islands in the
domination exercised by one people over another, of midst of the great Saracen inundation, and in spite of
different race, of diverse usages and customs, of the chivalrous spirit, the gallantry and the religious
opposite and divergent ideals. toleration of the califs, they were finally driven out
One of the two had to yield and succumb. after bloody and stubborn conflicts, which formed
Either the foreigner was driven out, as happened in the Spanish nation and created the Spain of the
the case of the Carthaginians, the Moors and the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
French in Spain, or else these autochthons had to
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The existence of a foreign body within another endowed law of destiny can be opposed neither Spanish patriotism, nor
with strength and activity is contrary to all natural and ethical the love of all the Filipinos for Spain, nor the doubtful future of
laws. Science teaches us that it is either assimilated, destroys the dismemberment and intestine strife in the Islands themselves.
organism, is eliminated or becomes encysted. Encystment of a Necessity is the most powerful divinity the world knows, and
conquering people is impossible, for it signifies complete necessity is the resultant of physical forces set in operation by
isolation, absolute inertia, debility in the conquering element. ethical forces.
Encystment thus means the tomb of the foreign invader. We have said and statistics prove that it is impossible to
Now, applying these considerations to the Philippines, we exterminate the Filipino people. And even were it possible,
must conclude, as a deduction from all we have said, that if what interest would Spain have in the destruction of the
their population be not assimilated to the Spanish nation, if the inhabitants of a country she can not populate or cultivate,
dominators do not enter into the spirit of their inhabitants, if whose climate is to a certain extent disastrous to her? What
equable laws and free and liberal reforms do not make each good would the Philippines be without the Filipinos? Quite
forget that they belong to different races, or if both peoples be otherwise, under her colonial system and the transitory
not amalgamated to constitute one mass, socially and politically character of the Spaniards who go to the colonies, a colony is so
homogeneous, that is, not harassed by opposing tendencies and much the more useful and productive to her as it possesses
antagonistic ideas and interests, some day the Philippines will inhabitants and wealth.
fatally and infallibly declare themselves independent. To this
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Moreover, in order to destroy the six million because it resentment and hatred. will convert motives for
Malays, even supposing them to be in their infancy and love and gratitude into Hatred and resentment on one
that they have never learned to fight and defend side, mistrust and anger on the other, will finally result in
themselves, Spain would have to sacrifice at least a fourth a violent and terrible collision, especially when there exist
of her population. This we commend to the notice of the elements interested in having disturbances, so that they
partisans of colonial exploitation. But nothing of this kind may get something in the excitement, demonstrate their
can happen. mighty power, foster lamentations and recriminations, or
The menace is that when the education and liberty employ violent measures.
necessary to human existence are denied by Spain to the It is to be expected that the government will triumph
Filipinos, then they will seek enlightenment abroad, and be generally (as is the custom) severe in punishment,
behind the mother country's back, or they will secure by either to teach a stern lesson in order to vaunt its strength
hook or by crook some advantages in their own country, or even to revenge upon the vanquished the spells of
with the result that the opposition of purblind and paretic excitement and terror that the danger caused it.
politicians will not only be futile but even prejudicial,
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An unavoidable concomitant of those catastrophes is the families and friends of the innocent, who see no advantage in
accumulation of acts of injustice committed against the living and working submissively and peacefully. Note, too, that
innocent and peaceful inhabitants. Private reprisals, if severe measures are dangerous in a nation made up of a
denunciations, despicable accusations, resentments, homogeneous population, the peril is increased a hundred-fold
covetousness, the opportune moment for calumny, the haste when the government is formed of a race different from the
and hurried procedure of the courts martial, the pretext of the governed. In the former an injustice may still be ascribed to
integrity of the Latherland and the safety of the state, which one man alone, to a governor actuated by personal malice, and
cloaks and justifies everything, even for scrupulous minds, with the death of the tyrant the victim is reconciled to the
which unfortunately are still rare, and above all the panic- government of his nation. But in a country dominated by a
stricken timidity, the cowardice that battens upon the foreign race, even the justest act of severity is construed as
conquered-all these things augment the severe measures and injustice and oppression, because it is ordered by a foreigner,
the number of the victims. The result is that a chasm of blood who is unsympathetic or is an enemy of the country, and the
is then opened between the two peoples, that the wounded and offense hurts not only the victim but his entire race, because it
the afflicted, instead of becoming fewer, are increased, for to is not usually regarded as personal, and so the resentment
the families and friends of the guilty, who always think the naturally spreads to the whole governing race and does not die
punishment excessive and the judge unjust, must be added the out with the offender.
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Hence the great prudence and fine tact that should fictitious existence, she finally perishes. She is like the
be exercised by colonizing countries, and the fact that rich voluptuary accustomed to be waited upon by a
government regards the colonies in general, and our crowd of servants toiling and planting for him, and who,
colonial office in particular, as training schools, on the day his slaves refuse him obedience, as he does
contributes notably to the fulfilment of the great law that not live by his own efforts, must die.
the colonies sooner or later declare themselves Reprisals, wrongs and suspicions on one part and
independent. on the other the sentiment of patriotism and liberty,
Such is the descent down which the peoples are which is aroused in these incessant conflicts,
precipitated. In proportion as they are bathed in blood insurrections and uprisings, operate to generalize the
and drenched in tears and gall, the colony, if it has any movement and one of the two peoples must succumb.
vitality, learns how to struggle and perfect itself in The struggle will be brief, for it will amount to a slavery
fighting, while the mother country, whose colonial life much more cruel than death for the people and to a
depends upon peace and the submission of the subjects, dishonorable loss of prestige for the dominator. One of
is constantly weakened, and, even though she make the peoples must succumb.
heroic efforts, as her number is less and she has only a
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Spain, from the number of her The Spaniard is gallant and patriotic,
inhabitants, from the condition of her and sacrifices everything, in favorable for
army and navy, from the distance she is his country's good. He has the intrepidity
situated from the Islands, from her scanty of his bull. The Filipino loves his country
knowledge of them, and from struggling no less, and although he is quieter, more
against a people whose love and good will peaceful, and with stirred up, when he is
she has alienated, will necessarily have to once aroused he does not hesitate and for
give way, if she does not wish to risk not him the struggle means death to one or
only her other possessions and her future the other combatant. He has all the
in Africa, but also her very independence meekness and all the tenacity and ferocity
in Europe. All this at the cost of of his carabao. Climate affects bipeds in
bloodshed and crime, after mortal the same way that it does quadrupeds.
conflicts, murders, conflagrations, military
executions, famine and misery.
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The terrible lessons and the hard different spirit from what the Filipinos are.
teachings that these conflicts will have afforded Besides, the danger of falling again into other
the Filipinos will operate to improve and hands, English or German, for example, will
strengthen their ethical nature. The Spain of force the Filipinos to be sensible and prudent.
the fifteenth century was not the Spain of the Absence of any great preponderance of one
eighth. With their bitter experience, instead of race over the others will free their imagination
intestine conflicts of some islands against from all mad ambitions of domination, and as
others, as is generally feared, they will extend the tendency of countries that have been
mutual support, like shipwrecked persons tyrannized over, when they once shake off the
when they reach an island after a fearful night yoke, is to adopt the freest government, like a
of storm. Nor may it be said that we shall boy leaving school, like the beat of the
partake of the fate of the small American pendulum, by a law of reaction the Islands will
republics. They achieved their independence probably declare themselves a federal republic.
easily, and their inhabitants are animated by a
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If the Philippines secure their independence after would not have restored Manila in 1763, but would have
heroic and stubborn conflicts, they can rest assured that kept some point in the Philippines, whence she might
neither England, nor Germany, nor France, and still less gradually expand. Moreover, what need has John Bull
Holland, will dare to take up what Spain has been the trader to exhaust himself for the Philippines, when
unable to hold. Within a few years Africa will he is already lord of the Orient, when he has there
completely absorb the attention of the Europeans, and Singapore, Hongkong and Shanghai? It is probable that
there is no sensible nation which, in order to secure a England will look favorably upon the independence of
group of poor and hostile islands, will neglect the the Philippines, for it will open their ports to her and
immense territory offered by the Dark Continent, afford greater freedom to her commerce. Furthermore,
untouched, undeveloped and almost undefended. there exist in the United Kingdom tendencies and
England has enough colonies in the Orient and is not opinions to the effect that she already has too many
going to risk losing her balance. She is not going to colonies, that they are harmful. that they greatly weaken
sacrifice her Indian Empire for the poor Philippine the sovereign country.
Islands-if she had entertained such en intention she
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For the same reasons Germany will not care to run any for Dutch expeditions. Holland proceeds with great caution
risk, and because a scattering of her forces and a war in in Sumatra and Borneo, from fear of losing everything.
distant countries will endanger her existence on the continent. China will consider herself fortunate if she succeeds in
Thus we see her attitude, as much in the Pacific as in Africa, keeping herself intact and is not dismembered or partitioned
is confined to conquering easy territory that belongs to among the European powers that are colonizing the continent
nobody. Germany avoids any foreign complications. of Asia.
France has enough to do and sees more of a future in The same is true of Japan. On the north she has Russia,
Tongking and China, besides the fact that the French spirit who envies and watches her; on the south England, with
does not shine in zeal for colonization. France loves glory, but whom she is in accord even to her official language. She is,
the glory and laurels that grow on the battlefields of Europe. moreover, under such diplomatic pressure from Europe that
The echo from battlefields in the Far East hardly satisfies her she can not think of outside affairs until she is freed from it,
craving for renown, for it reaches her quite faintly. She has which will not be an easy matter. True it is that she has an
also other obligations, both internally and on the continent. excess of population, but Korea attracts her more than the
Holland is sensible and will be content to keep the Philippines and is, also, easier to seize.
Moluccas and Java. Sumatra offers her a greater future than
the Philippines, whose seas and coasts have a sinister omen
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Perhaps the great American Republic, whose interests spring from their soil and with the recollection of their past,
lie in the Pacific and who has no hand in the spoliation of they will perhaps strive to enter freely upon the wide road
Africa, may some day dream of foreign possession. This is of progress, and all will labor together to strengthen their
not impossible, for the example is contagious, covetousness fatherland, both internally and externally, with the same
and ambition are among the strongest vices, and Harrison enthusiasm with which a youth falls again to tilling the land
manifested something of this sort in the Samoan question. of his ancestors, so long Wasted and abandoned through
But the Panama Canal is not opened nor the territory of the the neglect of those who have withheld it from him. Then
States congested with inhabitants, and in case she should the mines will be made to give up their gold for relieving
openly attempt it the European powers would not allow her distress, iron for weapons, copper, lead and coal. Perhaps
to proceed, for they know very well that the appetite is the country will revive the maritime and mercantile life for
sharpened by the first bites. North America would be quite which the islanders are fitted by their nature, ability and
a troublesome rival, if she should once get into the anstincts, and once more free, like the bird that leaves its
business. Furthermore, this is contrary to her traditions. cage, like the flower that unfolds to the air, will recover the
Very likely the Philippines will defend with pristine virtues that are gradually dying out and will again
inexpressible valor the liberty secured at the price of so become addicted to peace-cheerful, happy, joyous,
much blood and sacrifice. With the new men that will hospitable and daring.
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These and many other things may come to unanswerable. A sunken road at the battle of
pass within something like a hundred years. But Waterloo buried all the glories of two brilliant
the most logical prognostication, the prophecy decades, the whole Napoleonic world, and freed
based on the best probabilities, may err through Europe. Upon what chance accidents will the
remote and insignificant causes. An octopus that destiny of the Philippines depend?
seized Mark Antony's ship altered the face of the Nevertheless, it is not well to trust to
world; a cross on Cavalry and a just man nailed accident, for there is sometimes an imperceptible
thereon changed the ethics of half the human and incomprehensible logic in the workings of
race, and yet before Christ, how many just men history. Fortunately, peoples as well as
wrongfully perished and how many crosses were governments are subject to it.
raised on that hill! The death of the just
sanctified his work and made his teaching
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Therefore, we repeat, and we will ever repeat, while love, a liberal policy that would assure us the peace of our
there is time, that it is better to keep pace with the desires native land and thy sway over loyal but unfortunate islands!
of a people than to give way before them: the former begets Spain, thou hast remained deaf, and, wrapped up in thy
sympathy and love, the latter contempt and anger. Since it pride, hast pursued thy fatal course and accused us of being
is necessary to grant six million Filipinos their rights, so that traitors, merely because we love our country, because we
they may be in fact Spaniards, let the government grant tell thee the truth and hate all kinds of injustice. What dost
these rights freely and spontaneously, without damaging thou wish us to tell our wretched country, when it asks
reservations, without irritating mistrust. We shall never tire about the result of our efforts? Must we say to it that, since
of repeating this while a ray of hope is left us, for we prefer for it we have lost everything-youth, future, hope, peace,
this unpleasant task to the need of some day saying to the family; since in its service we have exhausted all the
mother country: "Spain, we have spent our youth in serving resources of hope, all the disillusions of desire, it also takes
thy interests in the interests of our country; we have looked the residue which we can not use, the blood from our veins
to thee, we have expended the whole light of our intellects, and the strength left in our arms? Spain, must we some day
all the fervor and enthusiasm of our hearts in working for tell Filipinas that thou hast no ear for her woes and that if
the good of what was thine, to draw from thee a glance of she wishes to be saved she must redeem herself?"
 Chapter
Thank you 9
Group 2