The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24

their opportunity They would form
great order, composed entirely of the low
er classes of the islands cemented into
one vast brotherhood. There is no coun-
try in the world, be it known. where the
common people, as they are called
could not dominate and rule everything,
from hovel to palace, If they would but
band together and stay together in spite
of threats or penalties or bribes. They
outnumber the rich and the powerful and
the highly educated everywhere; but
whatever advantage in numerical strength
they possess is more than neutralized as
a general thing, by their lack of adher-
ence to each other and to the principles
involved in any movement which they in
augurate.
This difficulty the Filipino leaders de-
termined to overcome by the simple expe-
dent of making the penalty for even the
slightest detection so severe as to render
the culprit incapable of doing further
harm, while his fate should be grue-
some warning to such of his companions
as needed a reminder as to their duties
and obligations in the premises.
Oaths taken in the presence of stern
browed men, any one of whom is not only
ready but in honor bound to avenge
their breaking by a swife silent and dead
ly dagger thrust, are not likely to be
lightly considered. A society in which
every man is not only the guardian of his
own vows but is guardian also of the
vows taken by every one OF his fellow
members, is not apt to be weak or cas-
lily dispersed organization.
So it was that the Kataastaasan Kaga-
langgalang Katipunan rose "out of the
depths" as 1t were, in the year 1889. The
dominant spirit in the association at that
time was Andres Bonifacio, an intelligent
Filipino who had almost unlimited infiu-
ence with just that class of his country
men who were considered to be most eli
gible for membership. He labored un>
ceasingly to popularize the idea and
through his individual efforts thousands
Of Filipinos were admitted to all the de-
grees of the order. TO attract the natives
and encourage them he represented to his
supporters that the movement, though for
certain reasons confined to its active
members to those in the humber ranks of
island life, had the hearty Endorsement of
all the wealthy merchants Of Manila, and
that vast stores of arms and ammunition
were being provided for the use of the
"revol1,tionists as they then styled
themselves. whenever the moment came
that such use should promise to be effect
ual.
Many Of those who Joined the X. K. X.
in those first days did so impelled by
purely patriotic motives. They saw in its
hidden but far-reaching influence the one
and only hope for future Filipino indepen-
dence and prosperity. but this noble senti
nent of love for and loyalty to their
country soon became perverted into an
insensate and revengeful hatred OF all
foreigners, friendly or unfriendly, of any
nationality who had for any reason dared
to intrude upon Philippine shores.
The initial idea was to effect the simuI-
taneous massacre of all the Spanish
clergy and authorities in the islands. and
thus rid themselves Of the presence of
that hated and tyrannous race with one
swift and revengeful stroke, but this idea
quickly expanded until all sojourning
strangers, however innocent of harm.
were included In this secretly written
death warrant.
The oatfs which were administered to
the neophyte during the ceremony OF
initiation were the most terrible that the
Filipino mind could possibly invent. and
Mere we'll calculated 20. impress upon his