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.

278 INDEPENDENCE CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

in whom the' ethics of civilization, as we understand them,
find acceptance. When the generation which is now in school
and is learning these ethics comes into power and influence,
conditions will be much more encouraging; government and
its efforts to lead the people along the highway of progress
will be keenly appreciated.
In my travels throughout Mindanao and Sulu, I meet crowds
of Moro people in the different communities that I visit. At
the meetings usually held, they talk about schools, about roads,
about growing different plants of economic value. I have
heard from them expressions of condemnation for wrong
doings. Civic duties, personal relations and governmental
obligations are discussed. It is encouraging, indeed, to note
the growing interest shown by the Moro local officials in matters of government. It is natural, of course, to find concealed
opposition on the part of some chieftains to the school system
and to the kind of government which has been established for
them. The gradual enlightenment of the younger people as
a result of education, and the powers and'prerogatives of the
present government are gradually destroying the prestige and
influence of these chieftains. Together with the loss of prestige and influence goes hand in hand the loss of opportunity
to receive the tribute formerly exacted from the common men.
Christianity and Mohammedanism do not harmoniously mix
in any part of the world. In religion, most men take things
for granted rather than exercise reason. Fortunately, the
Christian and Mohammedan elements of the population in
Mindanao and Sulu have managed to live together peacefully
as a whole. In the annual report of the Governor of Lanao
for 1928, I find these remarks: "The least that is said about
the differences between Christians and Mohammedans and the
more effort that is put forth to establish and maintain friendly
relations, the more speedy will these differences, to a considerable extent imaginary, be removed, and the relationship of man
to man, give and take, live and let live, be established." In
my opinion, the majority of the Mohammedan Filipinos do
not feel, or do not realize, that they are a part of the Filipino.