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.

308 INDEPENDENCE CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

by the upper class in ascending the high administrative posts.
Magnificent edifices the world over are the product of their
hard and strong muscles. They, together with the mixers of
sand and lime for cement-from their sweat the filthiest home
could be cleaned. Their strength is used as the pounding base
for all stones lying dormant on the shores for life's happiness.
Now that we are talking of liberty and the way by which
we can show America our true aim, our fervent desire and fitness to run our own government, the laborers are disposed to
help not only as tools and instruments as were once regarded,
but are ready to stand on their feet and prove that yesterday
and today they have never lost their love for liberty, the redemption of their country, known as the "life" of their souls.
Even in America, the independence of the Philippines has become an interesting subject. The working class there, who has
experienced innumerable hardships and has suffered the scorch
of the burning sun, tells the American nation that we deserve
freedom because the Filipino laborers are ready to face the
world by all honest and reasonable means.
Yesterday, the laborers were no more than the slaves of
Egypt during the time when the great Pyramid, which still has
traces of the blood of the poor, was being erected. Because
yesterday, besides the presence of foreign oppressors, there were
still the rich and the great who tried to press down the poor
and the weak. The laborers learned to stretch their muscles
and to open their eyes. In other words, they learned to die
fighting for their rights. The great answered the call of the
poor; the laboring class which was the source of wealth of the
rich stood up; they bathed in their own blood and learned to
clear away the cloud of misfortune of their Mother Country.
Then, Oh, pity for the rich!.Things were inverted. The
cruel crawled in front of the once unfortunate class. From
every part of the Philippines was heard a unanimous cry-the
unique voice of the oppressed-and they armed together like
one man to redeem the suffering people.
Confusion among the rich took place; those who possessed
great wealth could neither stand nor sit for fear of losing their