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

331

so full of aspiration and vigor, a new generation to lead to
its happy consummation the task that the Fatherland has entrusted to us all.
At this time of our life, when selfish ambitions have ceased
to have their wonted urgency, and earthly honors and material
reward have lost their wonted lure, a certain urge for disinterested counsel based on the accumulated wisdom of mellowing years springs more naturally from the heart. I too, have
my counsel to give to my people in this critical period of our
history. And that is, we should never give up the fight for
the independence of the country, for there is no other way to
attain her happiness and aggrandizement; that we should live
in harmony and peace among ourselves if we want to insure
the respect of our fellowmen; and that we discourage all elements of discord in these days of anxiety and struggle, which
make our greatest enemy from within and which discredit
the work we have in hand and can doom-it to failure.
The last plenary session was concluded by the
Independence Hymn and the Philippine National
Hymn sung by students from the Centro Escolar de
Senioritas.