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.

FIRST PLENARY SESSION

3

The strength of a democracy depends, to a large extent,
upon the tolerance and unity that leaders will show in emergencies like the present. The unity of our nation requires a
complete agreement as to certain fundamentals for which men
should forget that they belong to parties and factions and
should remember only that they are Filipinos. That there is
such a unity is testified by your presence today. People who have
hitherto been reluctant to take part in politics, associations which
have never adhered to movements of this nature, entities which
have never been represented in political gatherings, educational
institutions which constitute a tremendous factor in the moulding of sound public opinion, high government officials of the
past and present, capitalists and labor leaders, students and church
officials are present here in most eloquent numbers.
We are especially grateful for the trouble and sacrifice that
our provincial and municipal executives have gone through
to attend this gathering. Being in direct contact with our
masses, their views and suggestions are of the utmost value. We
greet our Mohammedan brothers who have travelled far to
join us in this gathering. Their presence in large numbers is
a symbol of our indestructible unity. The one very noticeable element in this gathering is the non-political element
represented by members of commercial organizations, professional associations, civic and labor organizations, professors
and student leaders.
The letters and telegrams of adhesion that we have been
receiving have taxed the capacity of our small clerical force.
Some provinces like Leyte had their own independence congresses, while in some provinces like Batangas all the towns
simultaneously conducted mass meetings to express their adherence to the Independence Congress.
We want especially to make public our appreciation of the
wisdom and statesmanship manifested by the leader of the
minority, the distinguished senator from the fourth district,
Don Juan Sumulong. Without his cooperation we would not
probably be having Democratas and Consolidados together at
this gathering today. In a country run by parties, the line of