The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-13
AGUINALDO's SPEECH
Delivered on the Anniversary of His
Declaration of Independence.

Manila July ia copy of the hide
pendencia has reached Manila contain
ing the speech which Aguinaldo made
during his recent celebration at Tarlac
of the anniversary of the proclamation
of Filipino independence. In substance
it is as follows:
'FfIipino-belOved daughter of the ar
dent sun of the tropics, commended by
Providence to the care of noble Spain be
not ngrateful to her salute who warm
ed you with the breath of her own Gull
ture and civilization
1T is true she sought to crush the
aspiration for independence as a loving
mother opposes separation for ever from
the daughter of her bosom. This but
proves the excess of love and affection
Spain feels for the Filipino.
Delicate flower of the east, scarcely
eight months weaned from the breast
of thy mother, thou hast dared to brave
a great and powerful nation such as is
the United States after barely organic
ing and discipIing 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
fatherland until independence is assured
for this is justice. We shall see at last
that the great American nation will
acknowledge the right which is on our
side. The doctrine of the great Monroe,
that America is for Americans is not
forgotten. Just as we affirm that the
Philippines are for the Filip1nos. Some
states of the American union have arisen
IN our FAVOR. Especially Is the Demo-
cratic party convinced that both vic
tors and vanQuished will lose precious
lives. Thus many of the people and
many statesmen censure President Nc
Kinley as inhuman for having ordered
his military representatives at Manila
to seek means TO bring about hostilities
with the Filipinos. 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. which signifies courage,
heroism and martyrdom. Therefore,
we should not resent this struggle with
the Americans. In spite of this express
ed desire to dominate all the Philippines.
we'll convinced are they that we fight
with justice and right on our side and
that autonomy is all a show of deceit
only having to save a certain accumu-
lated wealth. We have never concealed
our aspiration that we aspire but to
independence, that we will struggle on
to obtain it, perhaps from those who are
now our enemies and tomorrow will be
our allies as they were for the over
throw of the power of Spain.
I'VE might well accept this autonomy
America offers. but what can we do
with it, if our ambition is independence
and if we are to accept 1t only to later
overthrow by force of arms the sover-
eighty of America? As I believe it is
the intention of the autonomists tomake
use of treachery and deceit we cannot
accept such a procedure. We do not
wish to be traitors afterward. We wish
to show our character of frankness and
sincerity and nothing more Let US
avoid the example of those natives who
having at one time been colonists &C
cepted autonomy to enable them to
make their work surer once everything
was prepared. History has given US an
example or this IN recent events. Let
US persist in our idea. which is only the
legitimate and noble aspiration of a
people which is DESTROYS at all cost to
preserve its national honor spotless and
as pure as a crystal Thus. then there
will not be a single Filipino autonomfst
Those who are SO are, in the eyes of
the people. but time servers fearful of
losing their riches, threatened by risks
of war Filipinos, let US be CONSTANT
Constant! Let US strengthen the bonds
of our union"
AguinaIdo concluded with calling for
cheers for independence, the union of
the Filipinos and for the liberating
army.