History of Philippine press / Carson Taylor.

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History of the Philippine Press

miracle, came to be the soul of La Independencia, which was
so well edited, and attracted so much attention that it came
to be said that the articles were written by Spaniards.
"This aroused the ire of the publishers and was answered in the issue of September 16, 1898, to quote in
part as follows: 'During the last few days it has been said,
in the heated atmosphere of Manila, that our paper is edited
by Spaniards.
"' Such a clear affirmation favors us on the whole, even
though it sticks into our soul the poisonous lance of infinite
sorrow.'
"'It favors us because it indicates the acceptance of our
paper everywhere as an imperative public necessity, manifesting a feeling of reciprosity between the readers and editors, but it grieves us because it creates an atmosphere favorable to an erroneous opinion of our capacity.
"'No. It is impossible to allow this report, circulated
for selfish ends, to stand unchallenged. The editorial staff
is composed of Indios, those very patient Indios who
have always been treated with the greatest harshness and
the most iniquitous tyranny.
"'How could we admit to our colunms the writings of
those who were but recently our most cruel oppressors and
tomorrow, perhaps, may be our most implacable and heartless enemies?'"
~ Associated with Luna on the editorial staff were various well known Filipinos of merit. Among them Leon M.
Guerrero, now a professor of botany in the University of
Santo Tomas, and Epifanio de los Santos, then a young man,
now director of the Philippine Library.
It was the first paper through which the Filipino nationalists had ever had an opportunity to express themselves
freely.
It devoted itself entirely to propaganda in favor of independence from Spain and against the much hated Friars,
who were blamed for all the oppression which the natives
had suffered.
Many of the more liberal minded Spaniards were in
sympathy with the policy of La Independencia.
The paper expressed friendship for America to whom
it referred as "That great country to which we are united
with bonds of sincere friendship." It supported General
Aguinaldo, whom it hailed as "Our fellow citizen, the living
incarnation of the revolution."
La Independencia became the official organ of the revolutionary government.