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.

LAST PLENARY SESSION

325

Our present trade relations with the United States are
not conducive to the economic independence of the Philippines, and whatever may be the temporary advantages
of such relations, we are willing to forego them for the
sake of freedom.
The longer we remain under America, the harder will
it be for us to be freed from our political and economic
dependence on her.
We are now better prepared for nationhood than many
independent states of today and we are ready to assume
the risks and responsibilities of independence.
We are not unmindful of the fact that in the final solution and settlement of the Philippine problem, American
and foreign interest must be adequately safeguarded.
The establishment of a Philippine Republic today will
but be the logical and just outcome of our long struggles
for freedom and will be in keeping with America's
history and traditions.
Independence will make for closer friendship and better understanding between America and the Philippines,
while retention fosters distrust and ill-feeling.
In our solemn constitutional covenant with America
she has promised to grant us independence as soon as a
stable government can be established. This condition
has long been fulfilled.
Therefore, in the name and in behalf of the Filipino
people, we solemnly affirm, with full realization of the
consequences and responsibilities of political independence, that our people should be allowed to live an
independent life and to establish a government of their
own without any further delay and without any condition which makes its advent uncertain; hence we respectfully reiterate our petition to the people and government