The Washington herald., 1912-07-21

americans captured all the towns Of
fanpanga and Bataan. and Gen. Mas
caroo. attended by Maj. Quezon and
his stan, established their headquar-
ters In the mountains of Bataan. Here
they fought doggedly. the while suf-
fering from hunger and other hard
ships.
Then came the news Of IN. canturs
and Imprisonment of Gen. ARuinaIdo.
and at this time. too, Gen. Mascardo
was fast losing ground to the invad-
ing army. Col. Quezon, though weak
and fever-strfcken, was ordered 10 20
to Manila and confer with Asutnaldo.
month later. however. the little
army Of loyal supporters of Gen. Mas
cardo surrendered Col. Quezon was
thrown into prison, where he was held
for six months.
In Financial Straits.
When released. Col. ouezon found
himself in sore financial straits. His
savings had been spent in the fortunes
of the war. He did not despair. how
ever, for his one ambition remained-to
see his country and his people better
placed. position In bank at a
small salary was secured, and mean
time >he took up. his neglected law
course. He bore the mAsfortunes of
civilian life with the same fortitude
with which he accepted the fortunes
of war. With the same ardor that he
led his companions to battle he again
threw himself into his work and
studies
In'April, 1903, Col. Quezon was admitted
to the bar. His first position was in the
office of Mr.. Ortigas. one Of the leading
law offices of the Philippines. where he
soon gained prominence in his profession.
The young lawyer soon after was ap-
pointed prosecuting attorney, where he
became still more beloved because of his
clear and Just judgment and the desire
to discharge his civic duty to the best of
his ability. After years service as
prosecuting attorney, he resigned to prac-
tice law In his home province of Tayabas.
His legal record finally led to his election
to the highest executive office in the prov
ince. governor of Tayabas. in 1906. There
he saw the needs Of the people. and built
roads and schools. and did all he could
to reduce the expenses Of the province.
The improvement in their condition so de-
lighted the people of the province that
they helped him with vim, and were great
ly grieved when he resigned after a year
and half of service. He became a can
didate for the assembly, and was almost
unanimously elected to the first Filipino
assembly. the first legislative body ever
elected by the people of the Philippine
Islands
Chosen Floor Leader.
This first assembly. which was being
carefully watched by the United States
and the other nations of the earth, made
a record that went beyond the expecta-
tons OF the most optimistic. In messages
to Congress both Presidents Taft and
Roosevelt have lauded its work. The
speaker. Mr.. Osemena, himself an able
statesman. always looked for support to
the floor leader. Mr.. Quezon, who was
elected to this responsible position by the
members, who recognized in him a man
OF rare ability and brilliancy In the
constructive legislation Of this first as
sembly Mr.. Quezon did much arduous
labor. His unceasing desire for the inde-
pendence of the Filipino people caused
them to elect him delegate to the Amert-
can Congress, there 10 work for the inds-
pendence of his people. And he has
faithfully carried out his trust Since his
arrival here he has carried on an un-
ceasing campaign for the freedom Of his
country.
Just above his desk in the House ONCE
building he has hung the Filipino nag.
That is our flag" he says With pride to
visitors. The three stars represent the
Island of Luzon. the Viscayan Archi-
pelago. and the Island OF Mindanao and
its adjacent islands, and the sun in the
center represents lHt DOuO OI HtllOHdulS
welding them together We are prohib-
tied from displayln it in the islands, but.
thanks be TO God. that law does not gov
ern US here"
Then his eyes grow more somber and
thoughtful. and deeper pathos comes into
his voice. Then he continues, Under
| that flag fourteen years ago 1 was in the
field with Gen. Aguinaldo: here, under
| the same flag, / am fighting the same
| cause-but by more peaceful means