The times., 1899-07-16
DEGREES OF AGUINALD0
One Year Since He Formed the So
Called Philippine Republic.
In an Address to the People of the
the Duty OF Government Il to In
tcrpret the Popular wiil-Attrib-
utes His Position TO Providence.

Just one year has elapsed since Emilio
Aguinaido announced the formation Of the
so-called Philippine Republic. The insur-
gent leader. In a communication dated Ba-
eoor. July Is. 1885. and addressed to His
ESeellency, the Admiral of the Squadron
of the United States in the Islands, said:
Sir; The revolution having taken possession
OF the various provinces % the archipelago. this
government has found Il necessary to adopt the
form and organization best suited 10 the pOpu-
lar viii. have, therefore, the pleasure and
honor OF placing in your hand the enclosed de-
crees, which contain the organization referred
10, begging that you will communicate 10 your
Government that the desires Of this government
are 10 remain always in friendship with the
great North American nation, TO which We
under many obligations.
| beg also that your excellency will have the
kindness 70 forward the enclosed package 10
II. B. VI. Consul, with request from me that
he viii forward them to their respective desti-
nations.
For which favor the Filipino people and your
humble servant will be most deeply grateful to
your excellency. Very respectfully, etc,
EMILIO AGUINALDO.
The DEGREES referred to by Aguinaldo,
were forwarded to the Navy Department
by Admiral Dewey under the date OF Ca
vite. July IL.
The first of the DEGREES. was Aguinaldo's
the second is styled THE Message OF the
President of the Philippine Revolution"
and the third decree is the constitution OF
the so-called republic.
The translation of the first decree fol-
lows, in part:
To the People of the Philippines:
Acts OF Providence have placed me in a po-
sition for which ! cannot but recognize my nat
uTai inetfciency, but as have right to vio-
late the laws Of Providence nor to decline the
duties which honor and patriotism impose upon
me, | greet you, my beloved people. from that
pisiton.
In the face of the whole world l have pro-
claimed that the aspiration Of my whole life,
the final object Of all my wishes and Efforts
IS your Independence, because have the inner
conviction that it is also your constant longing
since independence Tor means the redemption
from slavery and tyranny, the recovery OF lost
liberty and the admission to the concert Of civil
iZed nations.
| understand, moreover that the hrst duty Of
any government is to interpret faithfully the as
piratiens Of the people, with this in view al
though the abnormal circumstances Of the war
have compelled me TO constitute this dictatOriaI
government which assumes full civil and military
power, my constant desire is to surround myself
with the most prominent people frin each prov
inee who by their conduct deserve its confidence,
so that, learning from them the true needs Of
each. | may be enabled to adopt such ecacious
means for filling such needs and curing defici-
cieneies in accordance with the wishes Of ALL
OF establishing in each town solid and sibstan-
tial organization, a stronger bulWark OF public
security, and the only means for insr,ring the
union and discipline which indispensable for
the establishment of republic-that is the :sJy-s
eminent of the people by the people-and iorg
settling international conflicts which may arise.
Then follow instructions concerning the
government OF provinces and towns giving
special regulations for the holding OF ses-
sions of the different juntas and councils;
the organization Of police forces, and the
duties of the same; the organization OF tri-
bunals, civil records. and the census; and
the taxation and registration OF property.
The translation of the introduction 10
the Message of the President of the Phil
ppine Revolution follows:
II it is true-and it is true-that political
revolution, well conceived, is the violent means
which people employs In order to recover
the sovereignty which naturally belongs TO it,
and which has been usurped and tranpled upon
by a tyrlnnical and arbitrary government, then
the Philippine revolution could not have been
more just, for the people have had recourse to
il after exhausting all peaceful means courseisd
by reason and experience. f-fr.4
The former Kings of CASTLE bound therselTes
10 regard the Philippines a sister nation, as
s0ciated with Spain in perfect unison Of Views
and interests, and by the constitution OF 1sle,
promulgated at Cadiz on the occasion Of the
war of Spanish independence. these islands were
represented in the Spanish Cortez. but the in
tereSts OF the monastic corporations which have
always met with unconditional support from
the Spanish government. have taken from them
this sacred duty, and the Philippines have been
excluded from the Spanish constitution and the
people left to the mercy Of the discretionary and
arbitrary powers OF the general government.
Under such Circumstances the people clgmoTed
for justice, and asked OF the mother country
the recognition and restitution OF their secular
rights by means of reforms which would grad
ually assimilate them with Spain But their
and rrf
of their abuesation was exile. martyriom and
death. The religious corporations with whose
interests-alwayS opposed to those Of the Philip
pine people-the Spanish government has identi-
fed itself. ieered at these claims and answered
with the knowledge and consent of that same
government that the liberty OF Spain had cost
blood.
What other recourse was there left 10 the peo-
pie to recover their lost rights? They had
other means but force, and, convinced Of this
they have had recourse to the revolution
And they no longer limit their claims to
the assimilation with the political constitution
OF Spain but ask for definite separation from
her; they fighting for their independence,
firmly convinced that the time has when
they and must govern themselves.
So they have constituted government, based
upon wise and Just laws, adapted 10 the abnor-
NAL conditions through which they are passing,
and at the same time preparing them 10 be-
come a true republic. Taking reason the only
guide for their actions, justice as the only end,
and honorable work as the only means. they call
upon their Philippine sons, without distinction
OF class. TO unite firmly together for the purpose
OF forming a society Of nobility. not nobility ot
birth pompous titles, but Of work and per.
sonal merit Of each one-a free society," where
there shall be no egotism and personal politics
that crush and aunihilate, no envy and iavorit-
ism that debase, no Dragging and charlatanry
that make ridiculous.
And it could not be otherwise; 4 people which
has given proofs Of valor and lons-suhering in
time OF trouble and danger, and OF industry and
diligence in time OF peace, is not intended for
slavery; such 4 people is called 70 be great to
be one OF the strongest arms OF Providence 10
direct the destinies Of humanity; such 4 people
has sufficient resources and energy to free it.
self from the ruin and annihiation into which
the Spanish government has plunged it. and to
claim a modest but honorable seat in the con,
cert Of free nations. EMILIO AGUINALDo.