The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-30
dose Rizal, Poet,
Patriot and MarfVr

From a Recent Speech by Congressman
Cooper of Wisconsin.
TT HAS been said that if American
institutions had done nothing else
than furnish to the world the char
acter of George Washing ton, that
alone would entitle them to the respect
OF mankind So, sir, say to all those
who denounce the Filipinos indiscrimi-
nately as barbarians and savages,
without possibility of a civilized future,
that this despised race proved itself
entitled to their respect and to the re-
spect of mankind when it furnished to
the world the character of Jose Rial.
To understand the possibilities of
that people, every American called
upon to legislate for them should know
the history of Rial. He was born in
the Philippines in 1861 Of almost pure
Tagalo blood. AT 13 years of age he
wrote drama in verse, which was per-
formed with success in Manila. In
that city he captured all of the prizes
at the Jesuit college. He had been
educated by Jesuit priest, and was
himself all his life an ardent Catholic;
but though he captured the prizes and
showed such genius, he was an I'm
dian,' and caste drove him away. He
went from Manila to the University of
Madrid. Here he took the degrees of
doctor of philosophy and of doctor of
medicine. He went to Germany. to
France, and to England becoming an
adept in the language and the litera-
ture of those countries. He went to
Austria, and in Vienna acquired skill
and fame as an oculst. He wrote let
ters in behalf of his country, never ad-
vocating the independence of his peo-
pie, but always asking for reforms.
Then he went to China and from there
volunteered to go to the Philippines in
order, as he wrote, to "help heal the
wounds reopened by the recent injus-
tees" This was in 1891, when he was
30 years of age. He would go and help
them If he could be promised immun-
ity. He closes his letter to the gover-
nor general in this way.
II shall at least be conscious of hav-
ing done all in my power while seeking
the good of my country to preserve her
union to Spain through stable policy
based upon justice and community of
interests"
Under promise of protection he went
to Manila. The promise was broken
He was arrested and banished to the
island of Mindanao. There, says his
biographer, he "helped the people in
their schools, taught them agriculture
and treated their sick the poor with
out charge)." They all learned to love
him. He was visited by people from
abroad because of his skill as an ocu-
list. One gentleman came to him from
Hong Kong with a foster child, the
daughter of an Irish sergeant. Her
name was Josephine Bracken, and Ri
zal, the banished patriot, and this girl
became engaged to be married.
When the rebellion in Cuba broke out
in 1885 he knew that his life was in
danger, and to save 1t volunteered to
go to cuba as surgeon in the Span
ish army. The governor general of the
Philippines sent him letter of recon-
mendation, and with 1t he went to
Spain. He was arrested Immediately
upon his arrival, put in prison, sent
back to Manila, and tried for treason,
though absolutely innocent, as the facts
have since abundantly established
The witnesses who testified against
him have, since our occupation. sworn