The people of the Philippines, their religious progress and preparation for spiritual leadership in the Far East,

THE SPANISH REGIME

99

the spirit of Europe an ardent patriotism such as they had not
felt while in the Islands. Behind the closed doors of Masonic
halls things were said and planned which would have been
suicidal in the Philippines.
Spanish and Portuguese Masonry had become common in the
Far East. It was first introduced into the Philippines at
Cavite, in I86o, under the name "Luz Filipina." Liberal
Spaniards and Filipino propagandists in an Independent Grand
Lodge in Barcelona directed the organization of lodges in
Filipino towns. In Manila many of the wealthy Filipinos
were admitted to the Masonic order called "C. Cadosh y Cia."
At first confined largely to Spanish liberals in a few centers,
Masonry increased rapidly after 1886 and became so active
and important that "all secret organizations" were forbidden
in 1888. In the Philippines no man dared speak his mind.
Dark emissaries of the suspicious government shadowed men
with or without cause. In that noxious atmosphere "bootlickers" and informers throve, while free spirits longed for
a better day.
Men of principle, if they could afford to do so, went to
Spain where they might speak their minds with less peril. One
of these men, Graciano Lopez Jaena, started a most important
organ called "La Solidaridad," in Barcelona in I889. A few
months later it was taken over by the gifted Marcelo H. del
Pilar, who continued it in Madrid until I895.11 In the beginning del Pilar advocated making the Philippines a province
of Spain with all the rights of Spaniards. This he hoped
liberal Spaniards might achieve by peaceful means. As months
passed he became convinced that nothing would bring the
Filipinos their rights save resistance. The liberal government
in Spain seemed on the wane. The wealthy classes in the
Philippines, too, seemed well satisfied with their present lot.
Del Pilar decided to come home and appeal to the masses of
his countrymen. While on the way to the Philippines in 1896
he died without having seen the revolution which broke out
that same year. of t li br-al
11Pilar had worked ardently for refor-dtiuninj t;ie days of the liberal
Governor-General Terrero, but when ia 1889 General Wler (of bloody fame
in Cuba) became Governor-General ofie-Phitipples,'el Pilar fled to Spain.
i t X c;; X:~'.,; r, ga s e:
'" ' 8