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

329

and liberation. Even under the policy enunciated by Presidents
Roosevelt and Taft that it will require a generation before the
Filipinos could be permitted to decide whether or not they want
their political emancipation, they are now entitled to demand
their political separation from the United States in view of the
fact that the period of one generation has already elapsed.
When the Filipinos have become convinced that they have
complied with the terms and conditions of their convenant with
America, any effort to prolong the political dependence of the
Philippines on the United States will only serve to check normal
and permanent progress of the country. From now on the
control of the United States over this country will be felt more
keenly and less tolerable by the Filipinos and the agitation for
independence will be carried on with greater vigor and decision
until the desired results are attained.
Mark this now, gentlemen of this Congress, mark this! We
must consider the present campaign as the final and decisive
stage of our fight for liberty. We should make a direct appeal
to the people of America in view of the fact that our previous
demands addressed to the administration and Congress of the
United States have not been heeded. This campaign must necessarily be long and costly. But we should not be discouraged
in launching it. We know that every American is absorbed
in his own business, that in all likelihood he would not lend
an attentive ear to our demands. But we should make him
listen and act. We know too that the American continent is
large and to cover and move it we must station our best men
there and provide them with the means to carry on the campaign. We should send men and money until the campaign
matures and produces results. It is folly to believe that independence will come simply because we desire it without imposing on ourselves all sorts of sacrifices.
No, gentlemen of the Congress, we need to give and give
"until it hurts." The call of the hour is one of generosity, of
abnegation and of sacrifice. We cannot evade it. If we desire
to be consistent with ourselves, if we want to deserve the destiny to which we aspire, if we not only cherish our ideal in