El Imparcial. (San Juan, P.R.) 1918-197?, 1919-04-29
OPINIONS OF MY OWN
By Claudio Cap6.
BY Claudio Cap6.

Many years ago Luis Bonafoux,
fi SPIRITUAL journalist who was never afraid to
- COWARDS speak out the TRUTH as he happened
i g$---Aa Aa to see it. was kicked out of this coun-
try, in the most shameful manner that
a could be imagined Some patriots felt deeply offended
in their tropical dignity for the many things Bonafoux
manner as to appear that he country in outburst
of patriotism, demanded the exile of the man. We do
not know whether he was handed an oyster shewhlch
was the the ancient Greeks sent away from the coun
try their undesirable-bu told that the mob would
probably had killed Bonafoux had he persisted in telling
the truth while remaining here
OF course man like that does not keep quiet He1
kept writing in his own, peculiar way pouring out
bile as he called it. but bitter sweet WE PORTO RI
CANS who ostrasized him. liked much that the de-
mand never ceased, until he died. the other day. But
reader wish you to bear in mind two very important
It very possible that he paid cent by any
newspaper here for all his articles they published re-
produced from the press of Spain or Latin America;
and what is still Of greater import had he back we
probably would have sent him away, just quickly as
before. It is like that we like to hear the TRUTH but
mot about ourseves we like to see the light but not too
near.
# Years after Bonafoux chased out from here the
eternal rabbe must be eternal melted by Hatred and
W aesttGyea @ tne % pr' & ~ - hs Mre dnas
His political opponents did not like the OF the man,
and consequently they decided to put him out Of the way
This time however the mob had to be satisfied with des
troying material property the man had few friends,
they all were willing to put up hot fghtand the CO.
m withdraw Reader it is necessary that you reflect about
90 all this comparing this instance with the previous one
from the time Luis BonaouX went away from Porto Rico
to the time of the assault at Luis Munoz Rlveras print
ing shop 1t IS not merely SO many years. mat coud not
be reckoned by our conventional standards OF time It
might have been twenty-five years. twenty-five hundred
years. If it is only few years. that means considerable
Sri for the progress of liberty in Porto Rico.
The other night old full of experience in world
ly things person who has held within his hand nearly
much power the President OF the United States
did tremendous service by repeating truthful things
that hear smell and touch every day. That same
Of
Just few seconds. For charatan that would nave
liked to incite the thoughtess mob there twenty
asilent voices saying No, and the new liberal spirit
prevailed the old spirit OF blgOtry 1t is ClVzaOn
'oo conquering Darkness.
rts But we have yet long road to 60 We have many
newspapers in Porto Rco but can't say that we have
many for the expression OF Public OPINION
Why? Because slaves. Because we are tle hand
and foot to old Hypocrisy and Conventlonalty we
aspeak about liberty and although exterior force pre-
vents us from making Of the most precious OF all IL
bertes don't it, don't know how to use land
that is all there is about it. What prevents from telling
the truth about this that? Is our Government SO des
potc that it places muzze over the mouth OF Puolc
Opinon? No Then Why earth 40 we gossip the truth
in small groups the corners or IN the cgarstore ana
nevertheless do not dare printing it? Simply BECAUSE
the spiritual slaves of ownseves we are afraid
of each other We yet spiritual cowards and 1T IS
80 of no use talking about political liberty It we are gorg
make of the make of spiritual liberty
"Gve us Liberty give Death! All nonsense 10
you imagine that there is any power on Earth t9at can
m give us something that really do not Want 10 you
imagine for second that when Patrick Henry spoke IKE
that he was free to speak out? No. he was not but
he was brave enough to speak the words
all inerdctions, governmental conventional ana one-
WISE and that is why great people is Tree To-Day we
Porto Ricans speak only of those things are allowed TO
speak, and of nothing ee 1t is necessary that we 0reaK
those stupid bonds of conventionay letting no one inter-
ee with our conscience Then shall be free and not
before.