Proceedings of the first Independence congress : held in the city of Manila, Philippine islands, February 22-26, 1930 / Published under the direction of Dean maximo M. Kalaw, executive secretary, University of the Philippines.

POLITICAL SECTION

141

and acts of war ceased, due to the belief of the Spanish authorities that the Revolution was entirely put out, an opportunity opened its way for the rebellion to be propagated
throughout the rest of the provinces in the archipelago, almost
without opposition or obstacle. It was at this stage when
Aguinaldo was invited by Dewey to resume the war against
Spain. The revolutionary chiefs in Hongkong, meeting in
an assembly, were able to deliberate collectively for the interests
of the Filipinos. Following their advice, Aguinaldo returned
to the Philippines to lead the country in a new revolt. All
the provinces responded to a man, respecting the personality
of the leader and obeying the authority of the established
central government, not only without the least opposition but
with real enthusiasm and attachment.
We now have come to the period of the revolution in its
highest intensity. Political ties with Spain were suddenly
broken. The Filipinos were to be ruled, not by foreign masters, but by themselves. It was the dream of a country which
had hungered for its much awaited liberty for years. One
thing had to be noted, however. In other parts of the world
similar events had been accompanied by real invasions of cheap,
exaggerated patriotism and wild licentiousness. Nothing of
the kind happened in the Philippines. The central government
had the ability and sufficient intelligence to establish without
delay a new government in the provinces and municipalities,
perfect in its simplicity but completely adequate under the circumstances. And the people, demonstrating equal prudence
and intelligence, submitted to the established regime and carried
it through with perfect regularity and harmony. A normal
system of administration was established without troubles or
misfortunes. There was established a financial regime, one of
property, of administration of justice, of police, and others.
In order that the President of the government would not be
converted into a tyrant or a dictator, a Revolutionary Congress
was created to give legal advice and consent to all his measures.
What was the first measure taken up by the Congress? To
form a constitution, at least even a provisional one, so that
the organic institutions could have the necessary stability, so
that individual rights which the Filipinos had been fighting for