The development of Philippine politics

THE PERIOD OF SUPPRESSED NATIONALISM

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Mabini on the Federal Partti
The more radical nationalists did not join the Federal
Party, even in its original organization. Foremost among
them was Apolinario Mabini. Upon the publication of the
Federal Party platform in December of 1900, Mabini wrote
an article in one of the papers, entitled "The Federal
Party". He was then a prisoner but was allowed to write
for publications. "This significant name," he stated in his
article, "is the first one which presents itself to my eyes.
Its founders answer my inquiry agreeably by saying that
the original name is the ideal of the party, which is that
these Islands might in time be one of the States of the
American Union. That is perfectly satisfactory, I say;
but you must take into account that it is more compatible
with the interests and habits of the Americans that we
be given a limited independence than the condition of a
state, because, as Mr. Root said, we are far from the American continent, and I may add that we have different color
and different customs. I hope that I am wrong, but I am
afraid that you are harboring a hope that can never be accomplished and for that reason you will foment the impatience first and the desperation afterwards of the people;
and I am afraid also that while you call other people idealists, you are the ones who are committing that sin. Moreover, you who want to shorten the way to peace should be
the first ones to advocate independence in the future, for
who knows if those who advocate independence and who
want independence, in view of the present circumstances will
be willing to get it after a certain time." The above is prophetic of what actually happened in the Philippines, namely,
the repudiation of the annexation plan and the growth of the
conviction that the Filipino people could not be a part of
the American Union. In another article, which showed still
more his continued leanings towards revolutionary ideals,
and which caused his deportation to Guam, Mabini said;
"I understand that those who are still in the field are convinced that they are fighting not because they have lack
of confidence in America but in order that the United