The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1899-07-19
Againaldo's Speech at the Ta:-
lac Celebration.

Affection for Mother Spain-Qaotes
the Monroe Doctrine in Referring
to America and Her Course in the
Philippines.
Manila, July II, 1925 p. ma
copy of the Independents has
reached Manila containing the speech
which Aguinaldo made during the
recent celebration at Tarlac, of the
anniversary of the proclamation of
Filipino independence. In substance
it is as follows:
''Filipins, beloved daughter of the
ardent Sun of the Tropics, commend
ed by providence to the care of noble
Spain, be not ungrateful to her salute
who warmed you with the breath Of
her own culture and civilization.
1T is true she ought to crush thy
aspiration for independence, as lov
ing mother opposes separation for
ever from the daughter of her bosom.
This but proves the excess of afec-
ton and love Spain feels for thee,
Filipina! Delicate flower of the east,
scarcely eight months weaned from
the breast of thy mother, thou hast
dared to brave great aud powerful
ing nation such as is the United States,
after barely organizing and disciplin-
thy little army. Yet we reply, we
will be slaves to none. nor allow our
selves to be deceived by soft words.
Let US continue to defend our father
land until independence is assured,
for this is justice. We shall see at
least that the great American nation
will acknowledge the right which is
on our side. Tha. doctrine Of the
great Monroe, that America is for
Americans, is not forgotten. Just so
we affirm that the Philippines are for
the Fllipinos. Some States OF the
American union have arisen in our
favor.
ESPECIALLY is the Democratic party
convinced that both victors and van
quished will lose precious lives.
Thus many of the people and many
statesmen censure President Nc
Kinley as inhuman for having order
ed his military representatives at
Manila to seek means to bring about
hostilities. With the F.lipinos these
facts prove that they wished to try
us to see if We are able to live up TO
the second color of our banner, red,
which signifies courage, hercism and
martyrdom. Therefore, We should
not resent this struggle with the
Americans. In spite of their express
sed desire to dominate all the Philip
pines, we'll convinced are they that
We will fight with justice and right
on our side and that autonomy is all
show CT deceit, only serving to save
certain accumulated wealth. We
have never concealed our aspirations,
that we aspire but to independence,
that we will struggle on to obtain 1t,
perhaps from those who are now our
enemies and tomorrow will be our
allies as they were for the overthrow
Of the power of Spain. We might
we'll accept this autonomy America
offers, but what can we DO with It If
our ambition is independence and II
we are to accep: it only to later over
throw by force of arns the sovereignty
of America? As | believe it is the
Intention of the autonomists to make
use of treachery and deceit, we can,
not accept such procedure. We dd
not wish to be traitors af:erward.
We wish to show our character. our
frankness and sincerity and nothing
more. Let US avoid the example Of
those natives, who having at one time
been colonists, accepted autonomy tc