Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1899-07-20
GEN. AGU|NALDO HAS A shy.
CALLS ON HIS PEOPLE TO FIGHT UNTIL
THEY ARE ASSURED OF INDEPENDENCE.
HE USES SOME HONEYED EXPRESSIONS.
Speech Delivered at a Celebration at Tarac
Is Now Made Public.

InuepcnuenCla mas reaCncu Manla
containing the speech which Agui-
naldo made during tho recent celo-
bration at Tarlac of the anniversary
of the proclamation of Filipino indie
pcndcnce. In substance, it is as fol-
lows.
"Filipina, beloved daughter of the
ardent sun of tho tropics, commended
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.
"It is true, she sought to crush thy
aspiration for independence as low
ing mother opposes separation for
ever from the daughter of her bosom.
This but proves the excess of love
an affection Spain feels for thee.
Filipina, delicate flower Of tho cast,
scarcely eight months weaned from
the breast Of thy mother, thou hast
dared to brave great and power
full nation such as the United States
after barely organizing and disciplin-
ing thy little army. Yet we reply
we will be slaves to none, nor allow
ourselves to be deceived by soft
words. Let us continue to defend
our faLhcrland until independence is
assured, for this is justice. We shall
sec at last that the great American
nation will acknowledge the right
which is on our side. That doctrine
of the great Monroe, that America
is for Americans, is not forgotten.
Just as we affirm that the Philippines
are for the Filipinos. Some States of
the American Union have arisen in
our favor.
"Especially is the Democratic
party convinced that both victors and
vanquished will lose precious lives.
Thus many Of the people and many
statesmen censurc President McKin-
Icy as inhuman for having ordered
his military representatives at Manila
to seek means to bring about hostili-
ties with the Filipinos. These facts
prove that they wished to try us to
see if we are able to live mp to the
second color of our banner, which
signifies courage, heroism and mar
tyrdom.
"Thcrcfore we should not resent
this struggle with the Americans.
In spite of their expressed desire to
dominate all the Philippines, we'll
convinced arc they that we fight with
justice and right on our side and
that autonomy is all q show Of deceit,
only serving to save sertan accumu-
lated wealth. We have never con
cealed our aspirations, that we aspire
but to Independence, that we will
struggle on 10 obtain it perhaps from
those who are our enemies and to-
morrow will be our allies, rs they
were for the overthrow of Spain.
awe might we'll accept this auton-
omy America offers, but what can
we do with it if our ambition is in,
dependence and if we are to accept
it to later overthrow by force of
arms the sovereignty of America
AS [ believe it ia the intention of the
autonomists to make use of treachery
and deceit, we cannot accept such
a procedure. We do not wish tC
be traitors afterward. We wish tc
show our character of frankness anC
sincerity and nothing more. Let NJ
!, avoid the example Of those native
: who having at ono time been colo
nlsts, accepted autonomy to enable
them to make their work surcr, once
every thing was prepared. History
has given us an example of this il
recent events.
. w,et us persist in our idea whicl
. is the only Legitimate and noble as
piTacion OF IL people which is dcsi
r rous at all cost to preserve it's ma
tional honor spotless and as pure az
I, a crystal. Thus, then, there will no
be q single Filipino autonomist
( Those who are so, are in tho eyes O
8 the people but time servers, fearful
: of losing their riches, threatened by
risks of war.
/. "Filipinos, let us be consistent, lc
!, us strengthen tho bonds of on
l union"
Aguinaldo concluded with callin,
for three cheers for independence
q the union of tho Filipinos and 70
tho liberating army.
Champion Wheat Growers.