The Philippines a Century Hence

PARTONE: FollowingourusualcustomoffacingsquarelythemostdifficultanddelicatequestionsrelatedtothePhilippines,
withoutweighingtheconsequencesthatourfranknessmaybringuponus,weshallinthepresentarticletreatoftheirfuture.
Inordertoreadthedestinyofapeople,itisnecessarytoopenthebookofitspast,andthis,forthePhilippinesmaybe
reducedingeneraltermstowhatfollows.
ScarcelyhadtheybeenattachedtotheSpanishcrownthantheyhadsustainedwiththeirbloodandtheeffortsoftheir
sonsthewarsandambitions,andconquestoftheSpanishpeople,andinthesestruggles,inthatterriblecrisiswhenapeoplechanges
itsformofgovernment,itslaws,usages,customs,religionandbeliefs;thePhilippineswasdepopulated,impoverishedandretarded
caughtintheirmetamorphosiswithoutconfidenceintheirpast,withoutfaithintheirpresentandwithnofondhomeoftheyearsto
come. Theformerrulerswhohadmerelyendeavoredtosecurethefearandsubmissionoftheirsubjects,habituatedbythemto
servitude,felllikeleavesfromadeadtree,andthepeople,whohadnoloveforthemnorknewwhatlibertywas,easilychanged
masters,perhapshopingtogainsomethingbytheinnovation.
ThenbegananewerafortheFilipinos.Theygraduallylosttheirancienttraditions,theirrecollections,theyforgot
theirwritings,theirsongs,theirpoetry,theirlawsinordertolearnbyheartotherdoctrines,whichtheydidnotunderstand,other
ethics,othertastes,differentfromthoseinspiredintheirracebytheirclimateandtheirwayofthinking.Thentherewasafallingoff,
theywereloweredintheirowneyes,theybecameashamedofwhatwasdistinctivelytheirown,inordertoadmireandpraisethatwas
foreignandincomprehensible;theirspiritwasbrokenandtheyacquiesced.
Thusyearsandcenturiesrolledon.Religiousshows,ritesthatcaughttheeye,songs,lights,imagesarrayedwithgold,
worshipinastrangelanguage,legends,miraclesandsermons,hypnotizedthealreadynaturallysuperstitiousspiritsofthecountrybut
didnotsucceedindestroyingitaltogether,inspiteofthewholesystemafterwardsdevelopedandoperatedwithunyieldingtenacity.
When the ethical abasement of the inhabitants had reached this stage, when they had become disheartened and
disgusted with themselves, an effort was made to add the final stroke for reducing so many dormant wills and intellects to
nothingness,inordertomakeoftheindividualasortoftoiler,abrute,abeastofburdenandtodeveloparacewithoutmindorheart.
Thentheendsoughtwasrevealed,itwastakenforgranted,andtheracewasinsulted,aneffortwasmadetodenyiteveryvirtue,
everyhumancharacteristic,andtherewereevenwritersandpriestswhopushedthemovementstillfurtherbytryingtodenytothe
nativesofthecountrynotonlycapacityforvirtuebutalsoeventhetendencytovice.
Thenthiswhichtheyhadthoughtwouldbedeathwassuresalvation.Somedyingpersonsarerestoredtohealthbya
heroicremedy.
Sogreatendurancereacheditsclimaxwiththeinsults,andthelethargicspiritwokeuptolife. Hissensitiveness,the
chieftraitofthenative,wastouched,andwhilehehadtheforbearancetosufferanddieunderaforeignflag,hehaditnotwhenthey
whomheservedrepaidhissacrificeswithinsultsandjests.Thenhebegantostudyhimselfandtorealizehismisfortune.Thosewho
hadnotexpectedthisresult,likealldespoticmasters,regardedasawrongeverycomplaint,everyprotest,andpunisheditwithdeath,
endeavoringthustostifleeverycryofsorrowwithblood,andtheymademistakeaftermistake.
Thespiritofthepeoplewasnottherebycowed,andeventhoughithadbeenawakenedinonlyafewhearts,itsflame
neverthelesswassurelyandconsuminglypropagated,thankstoabusesandthestupidendeavorsofcertainclassestostiflenobleand
generoussentiments.Thuswhenaflamecatchesagarment,fearandconfusionpropagateitmoreandmore,andeachshake,each
blow,isablastfromthebellowstofanitintolife.
Undoubtedlyduringallthistimetherewerenotlackinggenerousandnoblespiritsamongthedominantracethattried
tostrugglefortherightsofhumanityandjustice,orsordidandcowardlyonesamongthedominatedthataidedthedebasementoftheir
owncountry.Butbothwereexceptionsandwearespeakingingeneralterms.
Suchisanoutlineoftheirpast.Weknowtheirpresent.Nowwhatwilltheirfuturebe?
WillthePhilippineIslandscontinuetobeaSpanishcolony,andifso,whatkindofcolony? Willtheybecomea
provinceofSpain,withorwithoutautonomy?Andtoreachthisstage,whatkindofsacrificeswillhavetobemade?
Willtheybeseparatedfromthemothercountrytoliveindependently,tofallintothehandsofothernations,ortoally
themselveswithneighboringpowers?
Itisimpossibletoreplytothesequestions,fortoallofthembothyesandnowmaybeanswered,accordingtothetime
desiredtobecovered.Whenthereisinnaturenofixedcondition,howmuchlessmusttherebeinthelifeofapeople,beingendowed
withmobilityandmovement!So,itisthatinordertodealwiththosequestions,itisnecessarytopresumeanunlimitedperiodof
time,andinaccordancetherewithtrytoforecastfutureevents.
PARTTWO:WhatwillbecomeofthePhilippineswithinacentury?WilltheycontinuetobeaSpanishcolony?
Hadthisquestionbeenaskedthreecenturiesago,whenatLegazpisdeaththeMalayanFilipinosbegantobegradually
undeceivedand,findingtheyokeheavy,triedinvaintoshakeitoffwithoutanydoubtwhatsoeverthereplywouldhavebeeneasy.
Toaspiritenthusiasticoverthelibertyofthecountry,tothoseunconquerableKagayaneswhonourishedwithinthemselvesthespirit
ofMgalats,tothedescendantsoftheheroicGatPulintangandGatSalakaboftheProvinceofBatangas,independencewasassured,it
wasmerelyaquestionofgettingtogetherandmakingadetermination. Butforhimwho,disillusionedbysadexperience,saw
everywherediscordanddisorder,apathyandbrutalizationinthelowerclasses,discouragementanddisunionintheupper,onlyone
answerpresenteditself,anditwas:extendhishandstothechains,bowhisneckbeneaththeyokeandacceptthefuturewiththe
resignationofaninvalidwhowatchestheleavesfallandforeseesalongwinteramidwhosesnowshediscernstheoutlinesofhis
grave.Atthetimediscordjustifiedpessimismbutthreecenturiespassed,themeekhadbecomeaccustomedtotheyoke,andeach
newgeneration,begotteninchains,wasconstantlybetteradaptedtotheneworderofthings.
Nowthen,arethePhilippinesinthesameconditiontheywerethreecenturiesago?
FortheliberalSpaniardstheethicalconditionofthepeopleremainsthesame,thatis,thenativeFilipinoshavenot
advanced;forthefriarsandtheirfollowersthepeoplehavebeenredeemedfromsavagery,thatis,theyhaveprogressed;formany
Filipinosethics,spiritandcustomshavedecayed,asdecayallthegoodqualitiesofapeoplethatfallsintoslaverythatis,theyhave

retrograded.
Layingasidetheseconsiderations,soasnottogetawayfromoursubjectletusdrawthebriefparallelbetweenthe
politicalsituationthenandthesituationatpresent,inordertoseeifwhatwasnotpossibleatthattimecanbesonow,orviceversa.
LetuspassovertheloyaltytheFilipinosmayfeelforSpain;letussupposeforamoment,alongwithSpanishwriters,
thatthereexistonlymotivesforhatredandjealousybetweenthetworaces;letusadmittheassertionsflauntedbymanythatthree
centuriesofdominationhavenotawakenedinthesensitiveheartofthenativeasinglesparkofaffectionorgratitude;andwemaysee
whetherornottheSpanishcausehasgainedgroundintheIslands.
FormerlytheSpanishauthoritywasupheldamongthenativesbyahandfulofsoldiers,threetofivehundredatmost,
manyofwhomwereengagedintradeandwerescatteredaboutnotonlyintheIslandsbutalsoamongtheneighboringnations,
occupiedinlongwarsagainsttheMohammedansinthesouth,againsttheBritishandDutch,andceaselesslyharassedbyJapanese,
Chinese,orsometribesintheinterior.ThencommunicationwithMexicoandSpainwasslow,rareanddifficult;frequentandviolent
thedisturbancesamongtherulingpowersintheIslands,thetreasurynearlyalwaysempty,andthelifeofthecolonistsdependentupon
onefrailshipthathandledtheChinesetrade.Thentheseasinthoseregionswereinfestedwithpirates,allenemiesoftheSpanish
name,whichwasdefendedbyanimpoverishedfleet,generallymannedbyrudeadventurers,whennotbyforeignersandenemies,
whichwascheckedandanexpeditionofGomezPerezDasmarias,whichwascheckedandfrustratedbythemutinyoftheChinese
rowers,whokilledhimandthwartedallhisplansandschemes.YetinspiteofsomanyadversecircumstancestheSpanishauthority
hadbeenupheldformorethanthreecenturiesand,thoughithasbeencurtailed,stillcontinuestorulethedestiniesofthePhilippine
group.
Ontheotherhand,thepresentsituationseemstobegildedandrosyaswemightsay,abeautifulmorningcompared
tothevexedandstormynightofthepast.ThematerialforcesatthedisposaloftheSpanishsovereignhavenowbeentrebled;thefleet
relativelyimproved:thereismoreorganizationinbothcivilandmilitaryaffairs;communicationwiththesovereigncountryisswifter
andsurer;shehasnoenemiesabroad;herpossessionisassuredandthecountrydominatedseemstohavelessspirit,lessaspirationfor
independence,aworldthatistoitalmostincomprehensible.Everythingthenatfirstglancepresagesanotherthreecenturies,atleast,
ofpeacefuldominationandtranquilsuzerainty.
But above the material considerations are arising others, invisible, of an ethical nature, far more powerful and
transcendental.
OrientalsandtheMalays,inparticular,areasensitivepeople:delicacyofsentimentispredominantwiththem. Even
now,inspite ofcontactwiththe Occidentalnations,whohave ideasdifferentfromhis,wesee theMalayanFilipinosacrifice
everythingliberty,ease,welfare,nameforthesakeofanaspirationoraconceitsometimesscientific,orofsomeothernaturebutat
theleastwordwhichwoundshisselfloveheforgetsallhissacrifices,thelaborexpended,totreasureinhismemoryandneverforget
theslighthethinkshehasreceived.
SothePhilippinepeopleshaveremainedfaithfulduringthreecenturies,givinguptheirlibertyandtheirindependence,
sometimesdazzledbythehopeoftheParadisepromised,sometimescajoledbythefriendshipofferedthembyanobleandgenerous
peoplelikethe Spanish,sometimesalsocompelledbysuperiorityof armsof whichtheywere ignorantandwhichtimidspirits
investedwithamysteriouscharacter,orsometimesbecausetheinvadingforeignertookadvantageofinternecinefeudstostepinas
thepeacemakerindiscordandthusaftertodominatebothpartiesandsubjectthemtohisauthority.
Spanishdominationonceestablished,wasfirmlymaintained,thankstotheattachmentofthepeople,totheirmutual
dissensions,andtothefactthatthesensitiveselfloveofthenativehadnotyetbeenwounded. Thenthepeoplesawtheirown
countrymeninthehigherranksofthearmy,theirgeneralofficersfightingbesidetheheroesofSpainandsharingtheirlaurels,
begrudgedneithercharacter,reputationnorconsideration;thenfidelityandattachmenttoSpain,loveforthefatherland,madeofthe
nativeencomenderoandevengeneral,asduringtheEnglishinvasion;thentherehadnotyetbeeninventedtheinsultingandridiculous
epithetswithwhichrecentlythemostlaboriousandpainfulachievementsofthenativeleadershavebeenstigmatized;notthenhadit
becomethefashiontoinsultandslanderinstereotypedphrase,innewspapersandbookspublishedwithgovernmentalandsuperior
ecclesiasticalapproval,thepeoplethatpaid,foughtandpouredoutitsbloodfortheSpanishname,norwasitconsideredeithernoble
orwittytooffendawholerace,whichwasforbiddentoreplyordefenditself,andiftherewerereligioushypochondriacswhointhe
leisureoftheircloistersdaredtowriteagainstit,asdidtheAugustinianGaspardeSanAgustinandtheJesuitVelarde,theirloathsome
abortionsneversawthelight,andstilllessweretheythemselves rewardedwithmitersandraisedtohighoffices. Trueitisthat
neitherwerethenativesofthattimesuchaswearenow:threecenturiesofbrutalizationandobscurantismhavenecessarilyhadsome
influenceuponus,themostbeautifulworkofdivinityinthehandsofcertainartisansmayfinallybeconvertedintoacaricature.
Thepriestsofthatepoch,wishingtoestablishtheirdominationoverthepeople,gotintouchwithitandmadecommon
causewithitagainsttheoppressiveencomenderos. Naturally,thepeoplesawinthemlearningandsomeprestigeandplacedits
confidenceinthem,followedtheiradvice,andlistenedtotheminthedarkesthours.Iftheywrote,theydidsoindefenseoftherights
ofthenativeandmadehiscryreacheventothedistantstepsoftheThrone.Andnotafewpriests,bothsecularandregular,undertook
dangerousjourneys,asrepresentativesofthecountry,andthis,alongwiththe strictandpublic residenciathenrequiredof the
governing powers,fromthe captaingeneraltothe most insignificant official,rather consoledandpacifiedthe woundedspirits,
satisfying,eventhoughitwereonlyinform,allthemalcontents.
Allthishaspassedaway.Thederisivelaughterpenetrateslikemortalpoisonintotheheartofthenativewhopaysand
suffersanditbecomesmoreoffensivethemoreimmunityitenjoys.Acommonsorethegeneralaffrontofferedtoawholerace,has
wiped away the old feuds among different provinces. The people no longer have confidence in its former protectors, now its
exploitersandexecutioners.Themaskshavefallen.Ithasbeenthattheloveandpietyofthepasthavecometoresemblethedevotion
ofanurse,who,unabletoliveelsewhere,desirestheeternalinfancy,eternalweakness,forthechildinordertogoondrawingher
wagesandexistingatitsexpense,ithasseennotonlythatshedoesnotnourishittomakeitgrowbutthatshepoisonsittostuntits
growthandattheslightestprotestshefliesintoarage!Theancientshowofjustice,theholyresidenciahasdisappeared;confusionof
ideasbeginstoprevail;theregardshownforagovernorgeneral,lieLaTorre,becomesacrimeinthegovernmentofhissuccessor,
sufficienttocausethecitizentolosehislibertyandhishome;ifheobeystheorderofoneofficial,asintherecentmatterofadmitting
corpsesintothechurch,itisenoughtohavetheobedientsubjectslaterharassedandpersecutedineverypossibleway;obligationsand
taxesincreasewithouttherebyincreasingrights,privilegesandlibertiesorassuringthefewinexistence;aregimeofcontinualterror

anduncertaintydisturbstheminds,aregimeworsethanaperiodofdisorderforthefearsthattheimaginationconjuresupare
generallygreaterthanthereality;thecountryispoor;thefinancialcrisisthroughwhichitispassingisacute,andeveryonepointsout
withthefingerthepersonswhoarecausingthetrouble,yetnoonedareslayhandsuponthem!
TrueitisthatthePenalCodehascomelikeadropofbalmtosuchbitterness.Butofwhatuseareallthecodesinthe
world,ifbymeansofconfidentialreports,iffortriflingreasons,ifthroughanonymoustraitorsanyhonestcitizenmaybeexiledor
banishedwithoutahearing,withoutatrial?OfwhatuseisthatPenalCode,ofwhatuseislife,ifthereisnosecurityinthehome,no
faithinjusticeandconfidenceintranquilityofconscience?Ofwhatuseisallthatarrayofterms,allthatcollectionofarticles,when
thecowardlyaccusationofatraitorhasmoreinfluenceinthetimorousearsofthesupremeautocratthanallthecriesforjustice?
Ifthisstateofaffairsshouldcontinue,whatwillbecomeofthePhilippineswithinacentury?
Thebatteriesaregraduallybecomingchargedandiftheprudenceofthegovernmentdoesnotprovideanoutletforthe
currentsthatareaccumulating,somedaythesparkwillbegenerated.Thisisnottheplacetospeakofwhatoutcomesuchadeplorable
conflictmighthave,foritdependsuponchance,upontheweaponsanduponathousandcircumstanceswhichmancannotforesee.
Buteventhoughalltheadvantagesshouldbeonthegovernmentssideandthereforetheprobabilityofsuccess,itwouldbeaPyrrhic
victory,andnotgovernmentoughttodesiresuch.
IfthosewhoguidethedestiniesofthePhilippinesremainobstinate,andinsteadofintroducingreformstrytomakethe
conditionofthecountryretrograde;topushtheirseverityandrepressiontoextremesagainsttheclassesthatsufferandthinktheyare
goingtoforcethelattertoventureandputintoplaythewretchednessofanunquietlife,filledwithprivationandbitterness,againstthe
hopeofsecuringsomethingindefinite.Whatwouldbelostinthestruggle?Almostnothing:thelifeofthenumerousdiscontented
classeshasnosuchgreatattractionthatitshouldbepreferredtoagloriousdeath. Itmayindeedbeasuicidalattemptbutthen,
what?Wouldnotabloodychasmyawnbetweenvictorsandvanquishedandmightnotthelatterwithtimeandexperiencebecome
equalinstrength,sincetheyaresuperiorinnumberstotheirdominators? Whodisputesthis?Allthepettyinsurrectionsthathave
occurredinthePhilippinesweretheworkofafewfanaticsordiscontentedsoldiers,whohadtodeceiveandhumbugthepeopleor
availthemselvesoftheirpowersovertheirsubordinatestogaintheirends.Sotheyallfailed.Noinsurrectionhadapopularcharacter
orwasbasedonaneedofthewholeraceorfoughtforhumanrightsorjustice,soitleftnoineffaceableimpressions,butratherwhen
theysawthattheyhadbeendupedthepeoplebounduptheirwoundsandapplaudedtheoverthrowofthedisturbersoftheirpeace!
Butwhatifthemovementspringsfromthepeoplethemselvesandbaseditscausesupontheirwoes?
Sothen,iftheprudenceandwisereformsofourministersdonotfindcapableanddeterminedinterpretersamongthe
colonialgovernorsandfaithfulperpetratorsamongthosewhomthefrequentperpetratorsamongthosewhomthefrequentpolitical
changessendtofillsuchadelicatepost;ifmetwiththeeternalitisoutoforder,preferredbytheelementswhoseetheirlivelihoodin
thebackwardnessoftheirsubjects,itjustclaimsaretogounheeded,asbeingofasubversivetendency;ifthecountryisdenied
representationintheCortesandanauthorizedvoicetocryoutagainstallkindsofabuses,whichescapethroughthecomplexityofthe
laws;ifinshort,thesystem,prolificinresultsofalienatingthegoodwillofthenatives,istocontinue,prickinghisapatheticmindwith
insultsandchargesofingratitude,wecanassertthatinafewyeasthepresentstateofaffairswillhavebeenmodifiedcompletely
andinevitably. Therenowexistsafactorwhichwasformerlylackingthespiritofthenationhasbeenarousedandacommon
misfortune,acommondebasementhasunitedalltheinhabitantsoftheIslands.Anumerousenlightenedclassnowexistswithinand
without the Islands, a class created and continually augmented by the stupidity of certain governing powers, which forces the
inhabitants to leave the country,to secure education abroad,andit is maintainedthanksto the provocation andthe system of
espionageinvogue.Thisclass,whosenumberiscumulativelyincreasing,isinconstantcommunicationwiththerestoftheIslands,
andiftodayitconstitutesonlythebrainofthecountryinafewyearsitwillformthewholenervoussystemandmanifestitsexistence
inallitsacts.
Now,statecrafthasvariousmeansatitsdisposalforcheckingapeopleontheroadtoprogress;thebrutalizationofthe
massesthroughacasteaddictedtothegovernment,aristocratic,asintheDutchcolonies,ortheocraticasinthePhilippines;the
impoverishmentofthecountry;thegradualexterminationoftheinhabitants;andfosteringoffeudsamongtheraces.
BrutalizationoftheMalayanFilipinoshasbeendemonstratedtobeimpossible.Inspiteofthedarkhordeoffriarsin
whosehandsreststheinstructionofyouth,whichmiserablywastesyearsandyearsinthecolleges,issuingtherefromtired,wearyand
disgustedwithbooks:inspiteofthecensorshipwhichtriestocloseeveryavenuetoprogress;inspiteofallthepupils,confessionals,
books,andmissalsthatinculcatehatredtowardnotonlyallscientificknowledgebuteventowardtheSpanishlanguageitself;inspite
ofthiswholeelaboratesystemperfectedandtenaciouslyoperatedbythosewhowishtokeeptheIslandsinholyignorance;thereexist
writers, freethinkers, historians, philosophers, chemists, physicians, artists, and jurists. Enlightenment is spreading and the
persecutionitsuffersquickensit.No,thedivineflameofthoughtisinextinguishableintheFilipinopeopleandsomehoworotherit
willshineforthandcompelrecognition.ItisimpossibletobrutalizetheinhabitantsofthePhilippines!
Maypovertyarresttheirdevelopment?Perhaps,butitisaverydangerousmeans.Experiencehaseverywhereshown
usandespeciallyinthePhilippines,thattheclasseswhicharebetteroffhavealwaysbeenaddictedtopeaceandorder,becausethey
livecomparativelybetterandmaybethelosersincivildisturbances. Wealthbringswithitrefinement,thespiritofconservation,
whilepovertyinspiresadventurousideas,thedesiretochangethingsandhaslittlecareforlife. Machiavellihimselfheldthismeans
ofsubjectingofapeopletobeperilous,observingthatlossofwelfarestirsupmoreobdurateenemiesthanlossoflife.Moreover,
whentherearewealthandabundance,thereislessdiscontent,lesscompliantandthegovernment,itselfwealthier,hasmoremeansfor
sustainingitself.Ontheotherhand,thereoccursinapoorcountrywhatbecomesinahousewherebreadiswanting? Andfurther,of
whatusetothemothercountrywouldapoorandleancolonybe?
Neitherispossiblegraduallytoexterminatetheinhabitants.ThePhilippineraces,likealltheMalays,donotsuccumb
beforetheforeigner,liketheAustralians,thePolynesiansandtheIndiansoftheNewWorld. Inspiteofthenumerouswarsthe
Filipinoshavehadtocarryon,inspiteoftheepidemicsthathaveperiodicallyvisitedthem,theirnumberhastrebled,ashasthatofthe
MalaysofJavaandtheMoluccas. TheFilipinoembracescivilizationandlivesandthrivesineveryclime,incontactwithevery
people. Rum, that poison which exterminated the natives of the Pacific islands, has no power in the Philippines, but rather,
comparisonoftheirpresentconditionwiththatdescribedbytheearlierhistorians,makesitappearthattheFilipinoshavegrown
soberer.Thepettywarswiththeinhabitantsofthesouthconsumeonlythesoldiers,peoplewhobytheirfidelitytotheSpanishflag,
farfrombeingamenace,aresurelyoneofitssolidestsupports.

Threeremainsthefosteringofinternecinefeudsamongtheprovinces.
Thiswasformerlypossible,whencommunicationfromoneislandtoanotherwasrareanddifficult,whentherewere
notsteamersortelegraphlines,whentheregimentswereformedaccordingtothevariousprovinces,whensomeprovinceswere
cajoledbyawardsofprivilegesandhonorandotherwereprotectedfromthestrongest.Butnowthattheprivilegeshavedisappeared,
that through a spirit of distrust the regiments have been reorganized, that the inhabitants move from one island to another,
communicationandexchangeofimpressionsnaturallyincrease,andasallseethemselvesthreatenedbythesameperilandwounded
inthesamefeelings,theyclasphandsandmakecommoncause.Itistruethattheunionisnotyetwhollyperfected,buttothisendthe
measuresofgoodgovernment,thevexationstowhichthetownspeoplearesubjected,thefrequentchangesofofficials,thescarcityof
centersoflearning,forcesoftheyouthofalltheislandstocometogetherandbegintogetacquainted. ThejourneystoEurope
contributenotalittletotightenthebonds,forabroadtheinhabitantsofmostwidelyseparatedprovincesareimpressedbytheir
patrioticfeelings,fromsailorseventothewealthiestmerchants,andatthesightofmodernlibertyandthememoryofthemisfortunes
oftheircountry,theyembraceandcalloneanotherbrothers.
Inshort,then,theadvancementandethicalprogressofthePhilippinesareinevitable,aredecreedbyfate.
TheIslandscannotremainintheconditiontheyarewithoutrequiringfromthesovereigncountrymoreliberty.Mutatis
mutandis.Fornewmen,anewsocialorder.
Towishthattheallegedchildremaininitsswaddlingclothesistoriskthatitmayturnagainstthenurseandflee,
tearingawaytheoldragsthatbindit.
ThePhilippines,then,willremainunderSpanishdomination,butwithmorelawandgreaterliberty,ortheywilldeclare
themselvesindependentaftersteepingthemselvesandthemothercountryinblood.
Asnooneshoulddesireorhopeforsuchanunfortunaterupture,whichwouldbeanevilforallandonlythefinal
argumentinthemostdesperatepredicament,letusseebywhatformsofpeacefulevolutiontheIslandsmayremainsubjectedtothe
Spanishauthority,withtheveryleastdetrimenttotherights,interestsanddignityofbothparties.
PARTTHREE:IfthePhilippinesmustremainunderthecontrolofSpain,theywillnecessarilyhavetobetransformedinapolitical
sense,forthecourseoftheirhistoryandtheneedsoftheirinhabitantssorequired.Thiswedemonstratedintheprecedingarticle.
Wealsosaidthatthistransformationwillbeviolentandfatalifitproceedsfromtheranksofthepeople,butpeaceful
andfruitfulifitemanatesfromtheupperclasses.
Somegovernorshaverealizedthistruth,andimpelledbytheirpatriotism,havebeentryingtointroduceneededreforms
inordertoforestallevents.Butnotwithstandingallthathavebeenordereduptothepresenttime,theyhaveproducedscantyresults,
forthegovernmentaswellasforthecountry.Eventhosethatpromisedonlyahappyissuehaveattimescausedinjury,forthesimple
reasonthattheyhavebeenbaseduponunstablegrounds.
Wesaidandoncemorewerepeat,andallwilleverassert,thatreforms,whichhaveapalliativecharacter,arenotonly
ineffectual but evenprejudicial when the governmentis confrontedwith evils that must be curedradically. And were we not
convincedofthehonestyandrectitudeofsomegovernors,wewouldbetemptedtosaythatallthepartialreformsareonlyplastersand
salvesofaphysician,who,notknowinghowtocurethecancer,andnotdaringtorootitout,triesinthiswaytoalleviatethepatients
sufferingsortotemporizewiththecowardiceofthetimidandignorant.
Allthereformsofourliberalministerswere,havebeen,are,andwillbegoodwhencarriedout.
Whenwethinkofthem,weareremindedofthedietingofSanchoPanzainthisBaratariaIsland.Hetookhisseatata
sumptuousandwellappointedtablecoveredwithfruitandmanyvarietiesoffooddifferentlyprepared,butbetweenthewretchs
mouthandeachdishthephysicianPedroReziointerposedhiswand,saying,Takeitaway! Thedishremoved,Sanchowasas
hungryasever.TruthisthatthedespoticPedroReziogavereasons,whichseemtohavebeenwrittenbyCervantesespeciallyforthe
colonialadministrations.Youmustnoteat,Mr.Governor,exceptaccordingtotheusageandcustomofotherislands,wherethereare
governors.Somethingwasfoundtobewrongwitheachdish:onewastoohot,anothertoomoist,andsoon,justlikeourPedro
Rezioonbothsidesofthesea.GreatgooddidhiscooksskilldoSancho!
Inthecaseofourcountry,thereformstaketheplaceofthedishes,thePhilippinesareSancho,whilethepartofthe
quackphysicianisplayedbymanypersonsinterestedinnothavingthedishestouched,perhapsthattheymaythemselvesgetthe
benefitofthem.
TheresultisthatthelongsufferingSancho,orthePhilippines,misseshisliberty,rejectsallgovernmentandendsupby
rebellingagainsthisquackphysician.
Inthismanner,solongasthePhilippineshavenolibertyofthepress,havenovoiceintheCortestomakeknowntothe
governmentandtothenationwhetherornottheirdecreeshavebeendulyobeyed,whetherornotthesebenefitthecountry,alltheable
effortsofthecolonialministerswillmeetthefateofthedishesinBaratariaIsland.
Theminister,then,whowantshisreformstobereforms,mustbeginbydeclaringthepressinthePhilippinesfreeand
byinstitutingFilipinodelegates.
ThefreepressinthePhilippines,becausetheircomplaintsrarelyeverreachthePeninsula,veryrarely,andiftheydo
theyaresosecret,somysteriousthatnonewspaperdarestopublishthem,orifitdoesreproducethem,itdoessotardilyandbadly.
Agovernmentthatrulesacountryfromagreatdistanceistheonethathasthemostneedforafreepressmoresoeven
thanthegovernmentofthehomecountry,ifitwishestorulerightlyandfitly.Thegovernmentthatgovernsinacountrymayeven
dispensewiththepress(ifitcan),becauseitisontheground,becauseithaseyesandears,andbecauseitdirectlyobserveswhatit
rulesandadministers.Butthegovernmentthatgovernsfromafarabsolutelyrequiresthatthetruthandthefactsreachitsknowledge
byeverypossiblechannelsothatitmayweighandestimatethembetter,andthisneedincreaseswhenacountrylikethePhilippinesis
concerned,wheretheinhabitantsspeakandcomplaininalanguageunknowntotheauthorities.Togoverninanyotherwaymayalso
becalledgoverning,butitistogovernbadly.Itamountstopronouncingjudgmentafterhearingonlyoneoftheparties;itissteeringa
shipwithoutreckoningitsconditions,thestateofthesea,thereefsandshoals,thedirectionofthewindsandcurrents. Itismanaging
ahousebyendeavoringmerelytogiveitpolishandafineappearancewithoutwatchingthemoneychest,withoutlookingafterthe
servantsandthemembersofthefamily.
But routine is a declivity down which many governments slide, and routine says that freedom of the press is
dangerous.LetusseewhatHistorysays:uprisingsandrevolutionshavealwaysoccurredincountriestyrannizedover,incountries

wherehumanthoughtandthehumanhearthavebeenforcedtoremainsilent.
IfthegreatNapoleonhadnottyrannizedoverthepress,perhapsitwouldhavewarnedhimoftheperilintowhichhe
washurledandhavemadehimunderstandthatthepeoplewerewearyandtheearthwantedpeace. Perhapshisgenius,insteadof
beingdissipatedinforeignaggrandizementwouldhavebecomeintensiveinlaboringtostrengthenhispositionandthushaveassured
it.Spainherselfrecordsinherhistorymorerevolutionswhenthepresswasgagged.Whatcolonieshavebecomeindependentwhile
theyhadafreepressandenjoyedliberty?Isitpreferabletogovernblindlyortogovernwithampleknowledge?
Someonewillanswerthatincolonieswithafreepress,theprestigeoftherulers,thatpropoffalsegovernments,willbe
greatlyimperiled.Weanswerthattheprestigeofthenationisnotbyabettingandconcealingabuses,butbyrebukingandpunishing
them.Moreover,tothisprestigeisapplicablewhatNapoleonsaidaboutgreatmenandtheirvalets.Whoendureandknowallthe
falsepretensionsandpettypersecutionsofthoseshamgods,donotneedafreepressinordertorecognizethem;theyhavelongago
losttheirprestige.Thefreepressisneededbythegovernment,thegovernmentwhichstilldreamsoftheprestigewhichitbuildsupon
minedground.
WesaythesameabouttheFilipinorepresentatives.
Whatrisksdoesthegovernmentseeinthem?Oneofthreethings,eitherthattheywillproveunruly,becomepolitical
trimmers,oractproperly.
Supposingthatweshouldyieldtothemostabsurdpessimismandadmittheinsult,greatforthePhilippinesbutstill
greaterforSpain,thatalltherepresentativeswouldbeseparatistsandthatinalltheircontentionstheywouldadvocateseparatistideas;
doesnotapatrioticSpanishmajorityexistthere,istherenotpresenttherethevigilanceofthegoverningpowerstocombatandoppose
suchintentions?Andwouldnotthisbebetterthanthediscontentthatfermentsandexpandsinthesecrecyofthehome,inthehuts
andinthefield? CertainlytheSpanishpeopledoesnotspareitsbloodwherepatriotismisconcernedbutwouldnotastruggleof
principlesinparliamentbepreferabletotheexchangeofshotinswampylands,threethousandleaguesfromhomeinimpenetrable
forests, under a burning sun or amid torrential rains? These pacific struggles of ideas, besides being a thermometer for the
government,havetheadvantageofbeingcheapandglorious,becausetheSpanishparliamentespeciallyaboundsinoratoricalpaladins
invincibleindebate.Moreover,itissaidthattheFilipinosareindolentandpeacefulthenwhatneedforgovernmentfear?Hasntit
anyinfluenceintheelections?Franklyspeaking,itisagreatcomplimenttotheseparatiststofeartheminthemidstoftheCortesof
thenation.
Nowthen,iftherealobjectiontotheFilipinodelegates,isthattheysmelllikeIgorots,whichsodisturbedinopen
SenatethedoughtyGeneralSalamanca,thenDonSinibaldodeMas,whosawtheIgorotsinpersonandwantedtolivewiththem,can
affirmthattheywillsmellatworstlikepowder,andSeorSalamancaundoubtedlyhasnofearofthatodor. Andifthiswereall,the
Filipinos,whothereintheirowncountryareaccustomedtobatheeveryday,whentheybecomerepresentativesmaygiveupsucha
dirtycustom,atleastduringthelegislativesessionsoasnottooffendthedelicatenostrilsofSalamancawiththeodorofthebath.
Itisuselesstoanswercertainobjectionsofsomefinewritersregardingtheratherbrownskinsandfaceswithsomewhat
widenostrils.Questionsoftastearepeculiartoeachrace.China,forexample,whichhasfourhundredmillioninhabitantsandavery
ancientcivilization,considersallEuropeansuglyandcallsthemfankwai,orreddevils. Itstastehasahundredmillionmore
adherentsthantheEuropeans.Moreover,ifthisisthequestion,wewouldhavetoadmittheinferiorityoftheLatins,especiallythe
Spaniards,totheSaxons,whoaremuchwhiter.
AndsolongasitisnotassertedthattheSpanishparliamentisanassemblageofAdonises,Antoniuses,prettyboysand
otherlikeparagons,solongasthepurposeofresortingthitheristolegislateandnottophilosophizeorwonderthroughimaginary
spheres,wemaintainthatthegovernmentoughtnottopauseattheseobligations.Lawhasnoskinnorreasonnostrils.
SoweseenoseriousreasonwhythePhilippinesmaynothaverepresentatives.Bytheirinstitutionmanymalcontents
wouldbesilenced,andinsteadofblamingitstroublesuponthegovernment,asnowhappens,thecountrywouldbearthembetter,for
itcouldatleastcomplainandwithitssonsamongitslegislators,wouldinawaybecomeresponsiblefortheiractions.
Wearenotsurethatweservethetrueinterestsofourcountrybyaskingforrepresentatives.Weknowthatthelackof
enlightenment,theindolence,theegotism,ofourfellowcountrymen,andtheboldness,thecunningandthepowerfulmethodsofthose
whowishtheirobscurantism,mayconvertreformintoaharmfulinstrument.Butwewishtobeloyaltothegovernmentandweare
pointingouttoittheroadthatappearsbesttoussothatitseffortmaynotcometogrief,sothatdiscontentmaydisappear.Ifafterso
just,aswellasnecessary,ameasurehasbeenintroduced,theFilipinopeoplearesostupidandweakthattheyaretreacheroustotheir
owninterests,thenlettheresponsibilityfalluponthem,letthemsufferallconsequences.Everycountrygetsthefateitdeservesand
thegovernmentcansaythatithasdoneitsduty.
These are the two fundamental reforms, which properly interpreted and applied, will dissipate all clouds, assure
affectiontowardSpain,andmakeallsucceedingreformsfruitful.Thesearethereformssinequibusnon.
Itispueriletofearthatindependencemaycomethoroughthem.Thefreepresswillkeepthegovernmentintouchwith
publicopinion,andtherepresentatives,iftheyare,astheyoughttobe,thebestfromamongthesonsofthePhilippines,willbetheir
hostages.Withnocausefordiscontent,howthenattempttostirupthemassesofthepeople?
Likewise inadmissible is the obligation offered by some regarding the imperfect culture of the majority of the
inhabitants.Asidefromthefactthatitisnotsoimperfectasisaverred,thereisnoplausiblereasonwhytheignorantandthedefective
(whetherthroughtheirownoranothersfault)shouldbedeniedrepresentationtolookafterthemandseethattheyarenotabused.
Theyaretheveryoneswhomostneedit.Nooneceasestobeaman,nooneforfeitshisrightstocivilizationmerelybybeingmoreor
lessuncultured,andsincetheFilipinoisregardedasafitcitizenwhenheisaskedtopaytaxesorshedhisbloodtodefendthe
fatherlandwhymustthisfitnessbedeniedhimwhenthequestionarisesofgrantinghimsomeright?Moreover,howishetobeheld
responsibleforhisignorance,whenitisacknowledgedbyall,friendsandenemiesthathiszealforlearningissogreatthatevenbefore
thecomingoftheSpaniardseveryonecouldreadandwrite,andthatwenowseethehumblestfamiliesmakeenormoussacrificesto
theextentofworkingasservantsinordertolearnSpanish?Howcanthecountrybeexpectedtobecomeenlightenedunderpresent
conditionswhenweseeallthedecreesissuedbythegovernmentinfavorofeducationmeetwithPedroRezioswhopreventexecution
whereofbecausetheyhaveintheirhandswhattheycalleducation?IftheFilipino,then,issufficientlyintelligenttopaytaxes,he
must alsobe able to choose andretainthe one wholooks after him andhis interests,with the product whereof he servesthe
governmentofhisnation.Toreasonotherwiseistoreasonstupidly.

Whenthelawsandtheactsofofficialsarekeptundersurveillance,thewordjusticemayceasetobeacolonialjest.
ThethingthatmakestheEnglishmostrespectedintheirpossessionsistheirstrictandspeedyjusticesothattheinhabitantsrepose
entireconfidenceinthejudges.Justiceistheforemostvirtueofthecivilizedraces.Itsubduesthebarbarousnations,whileinjustice
arousestheweakest.
Officesandtrustsshouldbeawardedbycompetition,publishingtheworkandthejudgmentthereon,sothattheremay
bestimulusandthatdiscontentmaynotbebred.Then,ifthenativedoesnotshakeoffhisindolencehecannotcomplainwhenhe
seesalltheofficesfilledbyCastilas.
WepresumethatitwillnotbetheSpaniardwhofearstoenterinthiscontest,forthuswillhebeabletoprovehis
superioritybythesuperiorityofintelligence.Althoughthisisnotthecustominthesovereigncountry,itshouldbepracticedinthe
colonies,forthereasonthatgenuineprestigeshouldbesoughtbymeansofmoralqualities,becausethecolonizersoughttobe,orat
leasttoseem,upright,honestandintelligent,justasamanstimulatesvirtueswhenhedealswithastranger.Theofficesandtrustsso
earnedwilldoawaywitharbitrarydismissalanddevelopemployeesandofficialscapableandcognizantoftheirduties. Theoffices
heldbynatives,insteadofendangeringtheSpanishdomination,willmerelyservetoassureit,forwhatinterestwouldtheyhavein
convertingthesureandstableintotheuncertainandproblematical?Thenativeis,moreover,veryfondofpeaceandprefersahumble
present to a brilliant future. Let the various Filipinos still holding office speak in this matter, they are the most unshaken
conservatives.
We could add other minor reforms touching commerce, agriculture, security of the individual and of property,
education,andsoon,butthesearepointswithwhichweshalldealinotherarticles. Forthepresentwearesatisfiedwiththeoutlines
andnoonecansaythatweasktoomuch.
TherewillbelackingcriticstoaccuseusofUtopianism:butwhatisUtopia? Utopiawasacountryimaginedby
ThomasMoore,whereinexisteduniversalsuffrage,religioustoleration,almostcompleteabolitionofthedeathpenaltyandsoon.
Whenthebookwaspublishedthesethingswerelookeduponasdreams,impossibilities,thatisUtopianism. Yetcivilizationhasleft
thecountryofUtopiafarbehind,thehumanwillandconsciencehaveworkedgreatermiracles,haveabolishedslaveryandthedeath
penaltyforadulterythingsimpossibleforevenUtopiaitself!
TheFrenchcolonieshavetheirrepresentatives.ThequestionhasalsobeenraisedintheEnglishparliamentofgiving
representationtotheCrowncolonies,fortheothersalreadyenjoysomeautonomy.Thepressthereisalsofree.OnlySpain,whichin
thesixteenthcenturywasthemodelnationincivilization,lagsfarbehind. CubaandPuertoRico,whoseinhabitantsdonotnumbera
thirdofthoseofthePhilippines,andwhohavenotmadesuchsacrificesforSpain,havenumerousrepresentatives.ThePhilippinesin
theearlydayshadtheirs,whoconferredwiththeKingandPopeontheneedsofthecountry. TheyhadtheminSpainscritical
moments,whenshegroanedundertheNapoleonicyoke,andtheydidnottakeadvantageofthesovereigncountrysmisfortuneslike
othercoloniesbuttightenedmorefirmlythebondsthatunitedthemtobethenation,givingproofsoftheirloyaltyandtheycontinued
untilmanyyearslater.WhatcrimehavetheIslandscommittedthattheyaredeprivedoftheirrights?
Torecapitulate:thePhilippineswillremainSpanishiftheyenteruponthelifeoflawandcivilization,iftherightsof
theirinhabitantsarerespected,iftheotherrightsduethemaregranted,iftheliberalpolicyofthegovernmentiscarriedoutwithout
trickeryormeanness,withoutsubterfugesorfalseinterpretations.
Otherwise,ifanattemptismadetoseeintheIslandsalodetobeexploited,aresourcetosatisfyambitions,thusto
relievethesovereigncountryoftaxes,killingthegoosethatlaysthegoldeneggs,andshuttingitsearstoallcriesofreasonsthe,
however,greatmaybetheloyaltyoftheFilipinos,itwillbeimpossibletohindertheoperationsoftheinexorablelawsofhistory.
Coloniesestablishedtosubservethepolicyandthecommerceofthesovereigncountry,alleventuallybecomeindependentsaid
Bachelet,andbeforeBachelet,allthePhoenician,Carthaginian,Greek,Roman,English,Portuguese,andSpanishcolonieshavesaid
it.
CloseindeedarethebondsthatuniteustoSpain.Twopeoplesdonotliveforthreecenturiesincontinualcontact,
sharingthesamelot,sheddingtheirbloodonthesamefields,holdingthesamebeliefs,worshippingthesameGod,interchangingthe
sameideas,butthattiesareformedbetweenthemstrongerthanthoseengenderedbyaffection. Machiavelli,thegreatreaderofthe
humanheartsaid:lanaturadeglihuomini,ecosiobligarsipelibeneficiicheessifannocomeperquellicheessiricevono (itishuman
naturetobeboundasmuchbybenefitsconferredasbythosereceived).Allthis,andmore,istruebutitispuresentimentality,andin
thearenaofpoliticssternnecessityandinterestsprevail.HowsoevermuchtheFilipinosoweSpain,theycannotberequiredtoforego
theirredemption,tohavetheirliberalandenlightenedsonswanderaboutinexilefromtheirnativeland,therudestaspirationsstifled
initsatmosphere,thepeacefulinhabitantslivinginconstantalarm,withthefortuneofthetwopeoplesdependentuponthewhimof
oneman.Spaincannotclaim,noreveninthenameofGodhimself,thatsixmillionsofpeopleshouldbebrutalized,exploitedand
oppressed,deniedlightandtherightsinherenttoahumanbeingandthenheapuponthemslightsandinsults. Thereisnoclaimof
gratitudethatcanexcuse,thereisnotenoughpowerintheworldtojustifytheoffensesagainstthelibertyoftheindividual,againstthe
sanctityofthehome,againstthelaws,againstpeaceandhonor,offensesthatarecommittedthreedaily. Thereisnodivinitythatcan
proclaimthesacrificeofourdearestaffections,thesacrificeofthefamily,thesacrilegesandwrongsthatarecommittedbypersons
whohavethenameofGodontheirlips.NoonecanrequireanimpossibilityoftheFilipinopeople.ThenobleSpanishpeople,so
jealousofitsrightsandliberties,cannotbidtheFilipinostorenouncetheirs. Apeoplethatpridesitselfonthegloriesofthepast
cannotaskanother,trainedbyit,toacceptabjectionanddishonoritsownname!
We,whotodayarestrugglingbythelegalandpeacefulmeansofdebatesounderstandit,andwithourgazefixedupon
ourideals,shallnotceasetopleadourcause,withoutgoingbeyondthepaleofthelaw,butifviolencefirstsilencesusorwehavethe
misfortunetofall(whichispossibleforwearemortal)thenwedonotknowwhatcoursewillbetakenbythenumeroustendencies
thatwillrushintooccupytheplacesthatweleavevacant.
Ifwhatwedesireisnotrealized...
Incontemplatingsuchanunfortunateeventuality,wemustnotturnawayinhorror,andsoinsteadofclosingoureyes
wewillfacewhatthefuturemaybring.Forthispurpose,afterthrowingthehandfulofdustduetoCerberus,letusfranklydescend
intotheabyssandsounditsterriblemysteries.
PARTFOUR:Historydoesnotrecordinitsannalsanylastingdominationexercisedbyonepeopleoveranother,of
differentraces,ofdiverseusagesandcustoms,ofoppositeanddivergentideals.

One of the two had to yield and succumb. Either the foreigner was driven out, as happened in the case of
Carthaginians,theMoorsandtheFrenchinSpain,orelsetheseautochthonshadtogivewayandperish,aswasthecasewiththe
inhabitantsoftheNewWorld.
OneofthelongestdominationswasthatoftheMoorsinSpain,whichlastedsevencenturies.But,eventhoughthe
conquerorslivedinthecountryconquered,eventhoughthePeninsulawasbrokenupintosmallstates,whichgraduallyemergedlike
littleislandsinthemidstofthegreatSaraceninundationandinspiteofthechivalrousspirit,thegallantryandthereligioustoleration
ofthecaliphs,theywerefinallydrivenoutafterbloodyandstubbornconflicts,whichformedtheSpanishnationandcreatedtheSpain
ofthefifteenthandsixteenthcenturies.
Theexistenceofaforeignbodywithinanotherendowedwithstrengthandactivityiscontrarytoallnaturalandethical
laws.Scienceteachesusthatitiseitherassimilated,destroystheorganism,iseliminatedorbecomesencysted.
Encystmentofaconqueringpeopleispossible,foritsignifiescompleteisolation,absoluteinertia,anddebilityinthe
conqueringelement.Encystmentthusmeansthetomboftheforeigninvader.
NowapplyingtheseconsiderationstothePhilippines,wemustconclude,asadeductionfromallwehavesaid,thatif
theirpopulationbenotassimilatedtotheSpanishnation,ifthedominatorsdonotenterintothespiritoftheirinhabitants,ifequitable
lawsandfreeandliberalreformsdonotmakeeachforgetthattheybelongtodifferentraces,orifbothpeoplesbenotamalgamatedto
constituteonemass,sociallyandpolitically,homogeneous,thatis,notharassedbyopposingtendenciesandantagonisticideasand
interestssomedaythePhilippineswillfatallyandinfalliblydeclarethemselvesindependent.Tothislawofdestinycanbeopposed
neitherSpanishpatriotism,northeloveofallFilipinosforSpain,notthedoubtfulfutureofdismembermentandintestinestrifeinthe
Islandsthemselves.Necessityisthemostpowerfuldivinitytheworldknows,andnecessityistheresultantofphysicalforcessetin
operationbyethicalforces.
WehavesaidandstatisticsprovethatitisimpossibletoexterminatetheFilipinopeople.Andevenwereitpossible
whatinterestwouldSpainhaveinthedestructionoftheinhabitantsofacountryshecannotpopulateorcultivate,whoseclimateisto
acertainextentdisastroustoher?WhatgoodwouldthePhilippinesbewithouttheFilipinos?Quiteotherwise,underhercolonial
systemandthetransitorycharacteroftheSpanishwhogotothecolonies,acolonyissomuchthemoreusefulandproductivetoheras
itpossessesinhabitantsandwealth.Moreover,inordertodestroythesixmillionMalays,evensupposingthemtobeintheirinfancy
andthattheyhaveneverlearnedtofightanddefendthemselves,Spainwouldhavetosacrificeatleastafourthofherpopulation. This
wecommendtothenoticeofthepartisansofcolonialexploitation.
Butnothingofthiskindcanhappen.Themenaceisthatwhentheeducationandlibertynecessarytohumanexistence
aredeniedbySpaintotheFilipinos,thentheywillseekenlightenmentabroad,behindthemothercountrysbackortheywillsecure
byhookorbycrooksomeadvantagesintheircountrywiththeresultthattheoppositionofpurblindandpareticpoliticianswillnot
onlybefutilebutevenprejudicialbecauseitwillconvertmotivesforloveandgratitudeintoresentmentandhatred.
Hatredandresentmentononeside,mistrustandangerontheother,willfinallyresultinaviolentterriblecollision,
especiallywhenthereexistelementsinterestedinhavingdisturbances,sothattheymaygetsomethingintheexcitement,demonstrates
theirmightypower,fosterlamentationsandrecriminations,oremployviolentmeasures.Itistobeexpectedthatthegovernmentwill
triumphandbegenerally(asisthecustom)severeinpunishment,eithertoteachasternlessoninordertovauntitsstrengthorevento
revengeuponthevanquishedthespellsofexcitementandterrorthatthedangercausedit. Anunavoidableconcomitantofthose
catastrophesisthe accumulation of actsof injustice committedagainstthe innocent andpeacefulinhabitants. Private reprisals,
denunciation,despicableaccusations,resentments,covetousness,theopportunemomentforcalumny,thehasteandhurriedprocedure
ofthecourtmartials,thepretextoftheintegrityofthefatherlandandthesafetyofthestate,whichcloaksandjustifieseverything,
evenforscrupulousminds,whichunfortunatelyarestillrareandaboveallthepanicstrickentimidity,thecowardicethatbattensupon
theconqueredallthesethingsaugmenttheseveremeasuresandthenumberofthevictims.Theresultisthatachasmofbloodis
thenopenedbetweenthetwopeoplesthatthewoundedandtheafflicted,insteadofbecomingfewer,areincreased,fortothefamilies
andfriendsoftheguilty,whoalwaysthinkthepunishmentexcessiveandthejudgeunjust,mustbeaddedthefamiliesandfriendsof
the innocent,whoseenoadvantage inlivingandworkingsubmissivelyandpeacefully. Note,too,thatifseveremeasuresare
dangerousinanationmadeupofhomogeneouspopulation,theperilisincreasedahundredfoldwhenthegovernmentisformeda
racedifferentfromthegoverned.Intheformeraninjusticemaystillbeascribedtoonemanalone,toagovernoractuatedbypersonal
malice,andwiththedeathofthetyrantthevictimisreconciledtothegovernmentofhisnation.Butinacountydominatedbya
foreignrace,eventhemostjustactofseverityisconstruedasinjusticeandoppression,becauseitisorderedbyaforeigner,whois
unsympatheticorisanenemyofthecountry,andtheoffensehurtsnotonlythevictimbuthisentirerace,becauseitisnotusually
regardedaspersonalandsotheresentmentnaturallyspreadstothewholegoverningraceanddoesnotdieoutwiththeoffender.
Hencethegreatprudenceandfinetactthatshouldbeexercisedbycolonizingcountries,andthefactthatgovernment
regardsthecoloniesingeneralandourcolonialofficeinparticular,astrainingschools,contributesnotablytothefulfillmentofthe
greatlawthatthecoloniessoonerorlaterdeclarethemselvesindependent.
Suchisthedescentdownwhichthepeoplesareprecipitated.Inproportionastheyarebathedinbloodanddrenchedin
tearsandgall,thecolony,ifithasanyvitality,learnshowtostruggleandperfectitselfinfightingwhilethemothercountrywhose
coloniallifedependsuponpeaceandthesubmissionofthesubjects,isconstantlyweakenedandeventhoughshemakesheroicefforts,
ashernumberislessandshehasonlyafictitiousexistence,shefinallyperishes.Sheisliketherichvoluptuaryaccustomedtobe
waiteduponbyacrowdofservantstoilingandplantingforhimandwhoonthedayhisslavesrefusehimobedience,ashedoesnot
livebyhisownefforts,mustdie.
Reprisals,wrongsandsuspicionsononepartandontheotherthesentimentofpatriotismandliberty,whichisaroused
in these incessant conflicts, insurrections and uprisings, operate to generalize the movement and one of the two peoples must
succumb.Thestrugglewillbebrief,foritwillamounttoaslaverymuchmorecruelthandeathforthepeopleandtoadishonorable
lossofprestigeforthedominator.Oneofthepeoplesmustsuccumb.
Spain,fromthenumberofherinhabitants,fromtheconditionofherarmyandnavy,fromthedistancesheissituated
fromtheIslands,fromherscantyknowledgeofthem,andfromstrugglingagainstapeoplewhoseloveandgoodwillshehasalienated,
willnecessarilyhavetogiveway,ifshedoesnotwishtorisknotonlyherotherpossessionsandherfutureinAfrica,butalsohervery
independenceinEurope. Allthisisatthecostofbloodshed,andcrime,aftermortalconflicts,murders,conflagrations,military

executions,famineandmisery.
TheSpaniardisgallantandpatriotic,andsacrificeseverythinginfavorablemoments,forhiscountrysgood. Hehas
theintrepidityofhisbull.TheFilipinoloveshiscountrynolessandalthoughheisquieter,morepeacefulandwithdifficultystirred
up,whenheisoncearousedhedoesnothesitateandforhimthestrugglemeansdeathtooneortheothercombatant.Hehasallthe
meeknessandallthetenacityandferocityofhiscarabao.Climateaffectsbipedsinthesamewaythatitdoesquadrupeds.
TheterriblelessonsandthehardteachingsthattheseconflictswillhaveaffordedtheFilipinoswilloperatetoimprove
andstrengthentheirethicalnature.TheSpainofthefifteenthcenturywasnottheSpainoftheeighth.Withtheirbitterexperience,
insteadofintestineconflictsofsomeislandsagainstothers,asisgenerallyfeared,theywillextendmutualsupport,likeshipwrecked
personswhentheyreachanislandafterafearfulnightofstorm.Normayitbesaidthatweshallpartakeofthefateofthesmall
Americanrepublics.Theyachievedtheirindependenceeasilyandtheirinhabitantsareanimatedbyadifferentspiritfromwhatthe
Filipinosare. Besidesthedangeroffallingagainintootherhands,EnglishorGerman,forexample,willforcetheFilipinostobe
sensibleandprudent. Absenceofanygreatpreponderanceofoneraceovertheotherswillfreetheirimaginationfromallmad
ambitionsofdomination,andastheytendencyofcountriesthathavebeentyrannizedover,whentheyonceshakeofftheyoke,isto
adoptthefreestgovernment,likeaboyleavingschool,likethebeatofthependulumorbyalawofreaction,theIslandswillprobably
declarethemselvesafederalrepublic.
IfthePhilippinessecuretheirindependenceafterheroicandstubbornconflicts,theycanrestassuredthatneither
EnglandorGermany,norFrance,andstilllessHollandwilldaretotakeupwhatSpainhasbeenunabletohold. Withinafewyears
AfricawillcompletelyabsorbtheattentionoftheEuropeans,andthereisnosensiblenationwhich,inordertosecureagroupofpoor
and hostile islands, will neglect the immense territory offered by the Dark Continent, untouched, undeveloped and almost
undefended.EnglandhasenoughcoloniesintheOrientandisnotgoingtosacrificeherIndianEmpireforthepoorPhilippineIslands
ifshehadentertainedsuchanintentionshewouldnothaverestoredManilain1763,butwouldhavekeptsomepointinthe
Philippines whence she might gradually expand. Moreover, what need has John Bull the trader to exhaust himself over the
Philippines,whenheisalreadylordoftheOrient,whenhehasSingapore,HongKongandShanghai?ItisprobabletheEnglandwill
look favorably upon the independence of the Philippines,for it will open their ports toher andaffordgreater freedom toher
commerce. Furthermore,thereexistintheUnitedKingdomtendenciesandopinionstotheeffectthatshealreadyhastoomany
colonies,thattheyareharmful,thattheygreatlyweakenthesovereigncountry.
ForthesamereasonsGermanywillnotcaretorunanyrisk,andbecauseascatteringofherforcesandawarindistant
countrieswillendangerherexistenceonthecontinent.Thusweseeherattitude,asmuchinthePacificasinAfrica,isconfinedto
conqueringeasyterritorythatbelongstonobody.Germanyavoidsanyforeigncomplications.
FrancehasenoughtodoandseemoreofafutureinTongkingandChina,besidesthefactthattheFrenchspiritdoes
notshineinzealforcolonization.Francelovesglory,butthegloryandlaurelsthatgrowonthebattlefieldsofEurope.Theechofrom
battlefieldsintheFearEasthardlysatisfieshercravingforrenown,foritreachesherquitefaintly.Shehasalsootherobligations,both
internallyandonthecontinent.
HollandissensibleandwillbecontenttokeeptheMoluccasandJava.Sumatraoffersheragreaterfuturethanthe
PhilippineswhoseseasandcoastshaveasinisteromenforDutchexpeditions.HollandproceedswithgreatcautioninSumatraand
Borneo,fromfearoflosingeverything.
Chinawillconsiderherselffortunateifshesucceedsinkeepingherselfintactandisnotdismemberedorpartitioned
amongtheEuropeanpowersthattheyarecolonizingthecontinentofAsia.
ThesameistruewithJapan.OnthenorthsideshehasRussia,whoenviesandwatchesher,onthesouthEngland,with
whomsheisinaccordeventoherofficiallanguage.Sheis,moreover,undersuchdiplomaticpressurefromEuropethatshecannot
thinkofoutsideaffairsuntilsheisfreedfromit,whichwillnotbeaneasymatter. Trueitisthatshehasanexcessofpopulation,but
KoreaattractshermorethanthePhilippinesandisalsoeasiertoseize.
PerhapsthegreatAmericanRepublic,whoseinterestslieinthePacificandwhohasnohandinthespoliationofAfrica,
maydreamsomedayofforeignpossession. Thisisnotimpossible,fortheexampleiscontagious,covetousnessandambitionare
amongthestrongestvices,andHarrisonmanifestedsomethingofthissortintheSamoanquestion. ButthePanamaCanalisnot
openednortheterritoryoftheStatescongestedwithinhabitants,andincasesheshouldopenlyattemptittheEuropeanpowerswould
notallowhertoproceed,fortheyknowverywellthattheappetiteissharpenedbythefirstbites. NorthAmericawouldbequitea
troublesomerival,ifsheshouldoncegetintothebusiness.Furthermore,thisiscontrarytohertraditions.
VerylikelythePhilippineswilldefendwithinexpressiblevalorthelibertysecuredatthepriceofsomuchbloodand
sacrifice.Withthenewmenthatwillspringfromtheirsoilandwiththerecollectionoftheirpast,theywillperhapsstrifetoenter
freelyuponthewideroadofprogress,andallwilllabortogethertostrengthentheirfatherland,bothinternallyandexternally,withthe
sameenthusiasm,withwhichayouthfallsagaintotillingthelandofhisancestorswholongwastedandabandonedthroughthe
neglectofthosewhohavewithhelditfromhim.Thenthemineswillbemadetogiveuptheirgoldforrelievingdistress,ironfor
weapons,copper,lead,andcoal.Perhapsthecountrywillrevivethemaritimeandmercantilelifeforwhichtheislandersarefittedby
theirnature,abilityandinstincts,andoncemorefree,likethebirdthatleavesitscage,liketheflowerthatunfoldstotheair,will
recoverthepristinevirtuesthataregraduallydyingoutandwillagainbecomeaddictedtopeacecheerful,happy,joyous,hospitable
anddaring.
These and many other things may come to pass within something like a hundred years, but the most logical
prognostication,theprophecybasedonthebestprobabilities,mayerrthroughremoteandinsignificantcauses:Anoctopusthatseized
MarkAnthonysshipalteredthefaceoftheworld;acrossonCalvaryandajustmannailedthereonchangedtheethicsofhalfthe
humanrace,andyetbeforeChrist,howmanyjustmenwronglyperishedandhowmanycrosseswereraisedonthathill!Thedeathof
thejustsanctifiedhisworkandmadehisteachingunanswerable.AsunkenroadatthebattleofWaterlooburiedallthegloriesoftwo
brilliantdecades,thewholenapoleonicworld,andfreedEurope. UponwhatchanceaccidentswillthedestinyofthePhilippines
depend?
Nevertheless,itisnotwelltotrusttoaccident,forthereissometimesanimperceptibleandincomprehensiblelogicin
theworkingsofhistory.Fortunately,peoplesaswellasgovernmentsaresubjectstoit.

Therefore,werepeatandwewilleverrepeat,whilethereistime,andthatisbettertokeeppacewiththedesireofapeoplethantogive
waybeforethem;theformerbegetssympathyandlove,thelattercontemptandanger. Sinceitisnecessarytograntsixmillion
Filipinostheirrights,sothattheymaybeinfactSpaniards,letthegovernmentgranttheserightsfreelyandspontaneously,without
damagingreservations,withoutirritatingmistrust.Weshallnevertireofrepeatingthiswhilearayofhopeisleftus,forwepreferthis
unpleasanttasktotheneedofsomedaysayingtothemothercountry:Spain,wehavesentouryouthinservingthyinterestsinthe
interestsofourcountry;wehavelookedtothee,wehaveexpendedthewholelightofourintellects,allthefervorandenthusiasmof
ourheartsinworkingforthegoodofwhatwastine,todrawfromthemaglanceoflove,aliberalpolicyandthatwouldassureusthe
peaceofournativelandandthyswayoverloyalbutunfortunateislands! Spain,thouhastremaineddeaf,andwrappedupinthy
pride,hastpursuedthyfatalcourseandaccusedusofbeingtraitors,merelybecauseweloveourcountrybecausewetelltheethetruth
andhateallkindsofinjustice.Whatdostthouwishustotellourwretchedcountrywhenitasksabouttheresultofourefforts?Must
wesaytoitthat,sinceforitwehavelosteverythingyouth,future,hope,peace,andfamily;sinceinitsservicewehaveexhausted
alltheresourcesofhope,allthedisillusionsofdesire,italsotakestheresiduewhichwecannotuse,thebloodfromourveinsandthe
strengthleftinourarms?Spain,mustwesomedaytellFilipinasthatthouhastnoearforherwoesandthatifshewishestobesaved,
shemustredeemherself?