Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-01-24

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slant difference, il not direct on.
position, in their opinions Regarding
the past, the present. and the future. =
1t will cnuse continuous and per-
manent disoord In Filipino. American
eocieties. And, worst of all, 1t will
cause tenacious and unavoidable dis
trust Of the people In the admins
tration Of q mother whoimposes herself
by means OF force.
The great distance which separates
the Philippines from America will
render direct communication between
the two difficult, and the burden of the
political and military expenditure OF
the Philippine state heavier, to the
disadvantage of the country, and the
Indefinite condemnation of the people
who do not make the laws which they
will be called on to obey. All these
things together are causing and will
always cause the perversion of the
truth regarding public matters in
order to favor private convenieaces
Man is weak. IL will mean ruin to all
the productions OF the country, for the
exports must cease when the price of
our products il raised beyond their
real value, which will necessarily be
the case, because the pay Of workmen
and officials will have to be raised, and
the commercial and industrial taxes
increased to meet the Filipino political
/ and military expenditures, accustomed
by the expense of paying soldiers from
across the ocean. What is more lament
able still. is that only those who have
money would be able to go to America
to learn the American laws and
language, and thus the people would
remain deaf and mute, and between
the sword aud the wall" ready to step
forward when they are told to step
back, and to step back when they are
told to step forward.
The ideal which the country has con-
oeiyed TO lead an Independent life will
compel her, even at the cost OF cruel
sacrifices, to threaten, to provoke, aud
attack In all occasions any hindrance
to her aspirations. She secs in these
aspirations sacred purpose. and this
makes her constant in what she pur-
sues, because she shall never forget
the generous blood which has been
shed by her Industrious SOUS, from
Burgos, Zamora, and Gomez. to those
who are still struggling on the battle-
fields. There have been occasions when,
seeing 30 much bloodshed, go many
vi Pooof oo hOItOts uhd updbic ~
refrain herself, she has given utterance
to the desperate cry: Let us all die
there where our brothers died."
We have seen, therefore,, in an un-
Questionable way that the annexation
OF the Philippines to America as a
State would not be acceptable to the
Philippine people.
AUTONOMY NOT ACCEPTABLE.
An ample. autonomy, similar to that
OF Canada or Australia, would not be
acceptable either, since II IS not In
accordance with the aspirations of the
people as it has already hten proven.
The people established the "kati-
punan" in order to proclaim their
Independence They were prodiral in
all kinds Of sacrifices, they knew that
their undertaking would cost them
dear, but they persevered and are per-
seyering in their ideal, and what is
misfortunes neither brings them matter
for reProsCh nor clouds the sky Of their
Even surprising that 4 me maerica should
force US TO submit, and after many
years Of war the country should submit,
as the lesser evil, to the proclamation
of an ample autonomy, that autonomy
would not produce o. sincere bond OF
friendship between the two people,
because, having sacrificed herself or
her independence, the country could
not Look with affection upon those who
would be the only Obstacle to her happi-
ness. She would always retain her
aspirations, SO that autonomy would be
q short 'interregnum, which the
country would necessarily take ad-
vantage OF to regain new strength to be
used in the attainment of her high
political ideals, happen what may, and
perhaps in some hour of peril strike a
fatal blow at a hatedioppressor.
No! Autonomy would not bring the
desired peace. There might DO arelative
tranquility, but this would be simu-
lated and temporary. The greater tran
quillity, tho more reason there would
be for fear; like a volcano. which
smothers in its breast numberless de-
structive elements, ooncealing by the
appearance of its crater the incessant
rage of its internal bosom. 30 that when
it let's loose it's passions, the shock is
more powerful, everything that it con-
tains heing belohed forth far and wide
as IL TO lay waste whatever 1T meets in
its terrible passage. ~
In giving this warming we do not
forget the good Americans whom we
sincerely respect; We are mindful of the
rupture OF our good RELATIONS with the
United States; we are mindful Of the
blood which will again run on, the soil
of our country. We see in that auton-
oiny q new and sorrowful page in the
history of the Philippines, and thsrs-
fore we cannot but look upon 1T with
horror. Our people have bad enough
Of suffering. -, ~
1t has already been demonstrated
that autonomya could not bring any.
thing but serious grievances, to America
and the Philippines alike. Let us see
IL Independence could produce mutual
benefits for both countries.
INDEPENDENcE THE ONLY SOLUTION.
We have already shown that indepen-
dence has been our motto. and, in
order to secure this Independence, the
| People swore to sacrifice their whole
existence, IL necessary. They have APP
pealed to humanity, asking to have
recognized what by right belongs to
them. They rsteadfastIy believe that
their independence is their only saliva
tion. Should they obtain it. they would
be forever grateful to whomaoever
shall have helped them in their UNDER
taking; they would consider him as
as their redeemer, and his name will
be,engraved with bright letters in the
national history, that all the genera
tions to come may read IL with sublime
Veneration = "' Ns"t
America, consistent with her tradi-
ton, is the only one which could play