History of Philippine press / Carson Taylor.

12

History of the Philippine Press

Agraviado, whose author complains with much reason of
the injuries done by D. M. G. to one of the classes most appreciated and most numerous of the Filipino people."
(D.M.G. apparently refers to Don Miguel 'Garcia, who has
been mentioned before as the editor of so called clandestine
publications). The mention here in this article appears to be
the only record of the paper called El Indio Agraviado. Its
publication was doubtless limited to a few numbers, which
were circulated anonymously and surreptitiously, or probably to one single issue. Judging from the name, it was a
defender of the natives or Indios, as they were called at that
time.
The writer continues with the question:
"Is it not a sad and lamentable thing that, while the
wise constitution under which we are governed unites into
one family all the inhabitantes of the great Spanish Monarchy, instead of protecting us, making us happy, and extending cordially the bonds of sympathy and love that have
united us even to here, some ignorant writers are arousing
jealousies and differences that can produce nothing but
serious consequences for all? I am one of those Spaniards
who by accident was born over seas, but regardless of the
fact that I have some feeling of disgust against the paper in
question, I approve the greater part of its contents. I believe that instead of condemning all the Indios (natives) to
the plow and the gun we should open the door and clear the
road for them to all branches of employment, government
positions and offices enjoyed by other classes of Spaniards
and especially to all branches of instruction.
"I believe also that it is necessary to annul immediately
as unconstitutional the Regulations of la Escuela-pia, the
Academy of Pilotage (probably nautical school) and other
similar literary establishments or at least the parts that
establish odious discriminatory distinctions that should not
exist.
"The excuse that these institutions were founded to
serve a certain designated class should not be allowed to
stand. The state should not permit any institution to exist
contrary to the spirit and letter of the constitution. These
should be closed or they should be forced to admit without
distinction all Spaniards of whatever class or condition,
whether Indians, mestizos, Creoles or Europeans."
La Filantropia of December 15 carried another article
over the signature of "Liberato del Martillo." It contained
a violent attack on Don Jose de Eguia who was collector of
customs at that time and who had refused admission to a