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.

322 INDEPENDENCE CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

On the other hand it is, in truth, unnecessary for me to
speak. In the plenary sessions of this Congress as well as in
the sessions by different subdivisions, all the affairs which
should be treated have been treated, and I see that there is
nothing I can add to what has been said. I wish to insist in
the fact that, after having deposed the weapons, the Filipinos
adopted the policy of going on fighting for their emancipation,
protecting themselves only with constitutional means. We
have adopted this proceeding, because we have had,. as we still
have, faith in America, in her feelings of justice, in her love
for liberty and, finally, in the promise given to us in the
preamble of the Jones Law. We cannot and we should not be
disuaded from this policy. Our campaign in the future has
to be based on that same faith and on that same promise.
The attitude of any American or group of Americans who has
been inspired with egoistic sentiments in his relations with the
Filipinos, or the behavior of any ruler, who has been interpreted by us as inspired by the proposition of ignoring our
rights, has never represented, either the attitude or the policy
in general, of the people and the government of the United
States in their relations with the Filipino people.
With truth, it has been said that in the history of colonization no metropolis has treated its colonies inhabited by people
of a different race, with the altruistic regards with which America has treated the Philippines. The fact that, in spite of this,
the Filipinos insist in wishing to be independent does not deduct
the merits of the noble proceeding of the United States. It
simply shows the impossibility of satisfying the aspirations of a
people who has reached the age of maturity in all respect except
in the enjoyment of their national rights. I am delighted,
therefore, that in the speeches which have been given there
was shown* the gratitude of the Filipino people towards the
Americans.
No one can predict which should be the immediate result
of the actual agitation in the Congress of the United States in
favor of our independence, but it is undoubtful that our selfcontrol, our patience, in front of the obstacles which are presented, at the time that our determination to conquer them, our