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.

328 INDEPENDENCE CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

our voluntary acceptance of the relations of partnership in
which we found ourselves with the great and powerful American nation, we have assembled here, in solemn convention,
to give voice and language to the ardent yearnings of our souls,
to say once more that our faith has remained unshaken; that
our ideal is the same; that more than ever, we desire our peaceful separation from the United States, mindful, though we
are, of the benefits we shall miss and the risks and difficulties
which we shall encounter with separation; because we are convinced that no matter how light is the yoke that weighs on
our shoulders it is no less a yoke; that no matter how great
the benefits received or to be received, these benefits could be
easily withdrawn in the same way as they were granted; that
there is nothing definite in the present situation and that the
permanent and lasting interests of the two countries-the United
States and the Philippines-demand a just and immediate
solution.
Nothing is gained by the further prolongation of our association with the Americans. After all, the present political
relations between the two countries have always been considered
to be of a temporary character. Now more than ever our
political relations should be terminated inasmuch as there is
seemingly a growing incompatibility of economic interests between the Americans and the Filipinos as shown by recent
events. It would not be fair on the part of the United States
to sacrifice for her benefit the interests of the people of the Philippine Islands, because that is tyrannical, nor would it be proper
for the people of the Philippines to depend indefinitely on the
generosity of the United States, because that is shameful and
humiliating. Hence, the necessity for a peaceful and friendly
separation of the two countries to the end that they may govern
their respective interests and shape their destinies in accordance
with the requirements of their own well-being.
The experiment undertaken by the genius of America in
this country should be ended before she is charged with hypocrisy. She imposes her authority over the inhabitants of this
country with the avowed purpose of promoting their welfare