Philippine independence: speech of Hon. Manuel L. Quezon of the Philippines in the House of Representatives, Thursday, March 2, 1911.

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pinos to resist with all their force the new American domination and to
submit to it only when they fully understood that they might be independent in a more or less short period. The efforts of the Filipinos in
defense of that government, the blood which its soldiers shed, and the
money which was employed in the service of the Filipino flag, recalls to
them constantly that short period of its happiness and makes them consider the present as a temporary situation which they desire to abbreviate as much as possible in order to acquire the satisfaction of their
national ambitions and their intentions of elevation and enrichment of
-the country. They wish to consider that the American people have been
guided providentially to these islands to save its people from oppression; they recognize that the American people has horne itself with
liberality toward the Filipinos after the latter had been conquered; but
they believe at the same time that if there existed the providential designs these have been completely realized; that after 12 years that
North America has governed these islands under its flag and has made
clear to its inhabitants those theories and practices of a free people, the
Government has terminated its mission with honor and glory for itself
in these islands and may confide the government to the Filipinos with
'complete security for the interests of the latter and to all those that
live in the country. The Filipinos at all times have shown a broad
spirit of progress, a high interest in assimilating all ideas and practices of civilized people, and are not doubtful that they will operate In
accordance with those ideas and practices on occupying their position
among the nations of the earth.
For all these reasons, Mr. Secretary, we respectfully charge you to be
the interpreter of the feelings of the Filipinos to President Taft, to
whom we desire to transmit a copy of this document, and to the Ameriican Congress, to each one of whose Members we likewise desire to
transmit copies of the same.
Respectfully,
THE EXECUTIVE CENTER OF THE NACIONALISTA PARTY,
By SERGIO OSMERSA, President.
Certified:
MAXIMINO MINA, Secretary.
This is not the first time, Mr. Speaker, that the Filipino people, by means of memorials, petitions, and resolutions, have addressed the Government of the United States for the purpose of
securing their political freedom. When President Taft, as
Secretary of War, visited the Philippines in 1904 with a party
of Senators and Representatives, another memorial was then
sent, through him, to Congress, wherein this legislative body
was urged to declare that it was the purpose and intent of this
Government to grant the Philippines independence.
The first Philippine Assembly, in its first regular session in
1907, adopted a resolution requesting Congress to terminate
the present colonial relationship between this country and the
Philippines, and when, in March, 1910, a petition signed by a
large number of prominent American citizens favoring Philippine independence was presented in the Senate by Senator
WILLIAM H. CRANE, of Massachusetts, that petition was enthusiastically indorsed by every Province in the islands and
by almost every town.
Again, when I had the honor of presenting and supporting
before this House on May 14, 1910, the resolution of the first
Philippine Assembly heretofore mentioned, my action was indorsed by my countrymen, and demonstrations of their deep appreciation of my efforts to bring about the realization of their
most cherished ideal were made in every place which I visited
during my recent stay in the islands.
All these facts Bhow in the most striking manner that the
day has now arrived when it is absolutely essential to the happiness, welfare, and tranquillity of the Filipino people that a
declaration regarding their independence be at once made by
Congress. There was a time some years ago when it was said
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