The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-08-18
BY PAUL P. DE LA GIRONIERE
Chevaler of the Order of the Legion of Honor.

looked quite astonished: he then said to
me:
ut is long time since I heard you
spoken of as an agent of the Government
for pursuing unfortunate men, but have
heard also that you fulfilled your mission
with much kindness, and that often you
were their protector; so be welcome
After this first recognition they pre-
sented us some milk and some kidney
potatoes, and during our repast the old
man conversed freely with me.
STORY OF THE TAPUzIANs.
Several years ago said he to me, "at
a period | cannot recollect. some men
came to live in Tapuzi. The peace and
safety they enjoyed made others initiate
their example, who sought like them
selves to avoid the punishment of some
faults they had committed We soon saw
fathers OF families, with their wives and
children, flock hither; this was the foUnda-
tlon OF the small government that you see.
Now here almost all is in common; some
helds OF kidney potatoes or Indian corn
and hunting, suffice for us; he who
possesses anything gives to him who has
nothing.
Almost all our clothing is knitted and
woven by our wives; the abaca or veCe-
table silk, from the forest supplies us the
thread that is necessary; we do not
know what money is, we do not require
any. Here there is no ambition; each
one is certain of not suffering from
hunger. From time to time strangers
come to visit us. Ii they are willing tC
submit to our laws, they remain with us
they have a fortnight of probation to &c
through before they decide Our laws are
lenIent and indulgent
I'VE have not forgotten the religion o.
our forcfathers, and God no doubt will
forgive me my first faults, on account Of
my efforts for so many years to promote
q ~
equals"
But said to him. "who is your chief
who are your judges and priests2'
ut is l." said he, who fulfill all those
functions. Formerly they lived like saw =
ages mere ! was young, robust, and
devoted to all my brothers. Their chief
had Just expired; / was chosen to re-
place him. | then took care TO do moth
ing but what was Just, and conducive to-
the happiness OF those who confided in
me.
Until then they had devoted but little
attention to religion; | wished to put my
people IN mind that they were born Chris
tians. appointed one hour every Sunday
for us to pray together, and I have in
vested myself with all the attributes of a
minister of the Gospel / celebrate the
marriages, pour water upon the fore
heads OF the infants, and | offer cOnsola-
tons to the dying. In my youth / was a
chorister; | remembered the church cere-
monies; and If / do not actually possess
the necessary attributes for the function S
have given myself, | practice them with
faith and love. This is the reason | trust
that my good intentions will obtain my
forgiveness from Him who is the Sove-
reign Lord of ALL
A STATE OF FREEDOM.
During the whole time of the old man s
conversation / was in continual admira-
xrvhrx L, rt,n
reputation of living in the greatest licen-
tlOuSneSS as thieves and robbers. Their
character was altogether misunderstood.
1t was real, great phalanstery, com
posed of brothers, almost all worthy Of the
name.
Above all admired this fine old man
who, with moral principles and simple
laws, had governed them for so many
years. On the other hand, what an ex
ample that was OF free men not being able
to live without choosing chief, and
bringing one another back to the practice
of virtuOuS actiOnS
| explained to the old man all my
thoughts. l bestowed upon him a thou
sand praises for his conduct, and assured
him that the Archbishop of Manila would
approve all the religious acts he per-
formed with so noble an object. | even
offered to intercede with the Arch bishop
in his behalf, that he might send pastor
to ,.ssist him. But he replied:
mo, thank you, sir; never speak about
us. We should certainly be glad to have
a minister of the Gospel here, but soon
under his influence, we should be sub
jected to the Spanish Government. 1t
would be requisite for us to have money to
pay our contributions. Ambition would
soon creep in amongst us, and from the
freedom which we now enjoy, we should
gradually sink into a state of slavery
and should no longer be happy. Once
more | entreat of you, do not speak of US
give me your word that you will not"
This argument appeared so just to me
that | acquiesced to his request. I again
gave him all the praise he deserved, and
promised never to disturb the peace of the
inhabitants of his village under any
pretext whatever.
AMONG THE PEOPLE.
In the evening we received visits from
all the inhabitants, particularly from the
women and children, who all had an
curiosity to see a white man.
None of the TapuZian women had ever
been out of their village and had scarcely
ever lost sight of their hutS; it was not,
therefore, astonishing that they were SO
curious.
The next day I went round the plain i,
and visited the fields of kidney potatoes
and Indian corn, the principal nOurish-
ment of the inhabitants. The old chief
and some elderly people accompanied me.
When we reached the spot where, upon
the eve, had already remarked enormous