The Friar's Daughter: A Story of the American Occupation of the Philippines — John Shaqi
The Friar's Daughter: A Story of the American Occupation of the PhilippinesPhifer, Charles Lincoln
History
The Friar's Daughter: A Story of the American Occupation of the Philippines
Phifer, Charles Lincoln
Philippines -- History -- 1898-1946 -- Fiction; Philippines -- Politics and government -- 1898-1935 -- Fiction
Again the boat pushed from shore, this time bearing, not Saguanaldo,
but Mrs. Rizal. When they arrived at the American flagship the
woman introduced herself to Admiral Rainey and gave a history of
her husband's struggle and his fate. There was more feeling in her
recital than there had been in Saguanaldo's and the admiral was
clearly touched by it. When she had finished the story she said:
"And, Admiral, our enemies are your enemies. The men who are fighting
us are warring you also. I do not ask you to take my word for it,
but I bring you a circular which is being distributed over the island
by Friar Lonzello, which I ask permission to read to you."
The admiral gave his consent and the woman read, translating from
the Spanish as she proceeded:
There appeared at dawn, on a sad day for this country, my beloved
sons, mastering our beautiful bay, the North American squadron,
that in a few months, and in spite of the heroism of our sailors,
destroyed our ships and raised upon one of our plazas, blessed
soil of the nation, the flag of the enemy. Do not ignore who
it is and what he attempts, who with such haughty pride, would
trample right under foot and impose himself upon us. It is the
alien, who wishes to subject us to his hard yoke. It is the
heretic, who desires to snatch from us our religion. It is the
insatiable commercialist, who, with the ruins of Spain and her
possessions, wants to swell his fortune. Unhappy Spain, if the
invader achieves his purpose! Poor Filipinos, the day that the
North American establishes here a permanent government! Very
soon you will see an impassible barrier between you and your
proud masters. You would then have neither office, employment
nor participation in the government or administration of the
cities. You would soon form a separate class, reviled as pariahs,
exploited like miserable serfs, reduced to the condition of day
laborers, and even to that of a beast or a machine fed with a
pinch of rice or corn, that your master would throw in your face
as a daily ration, in order to not see himself deprived of the
product of your labor and sweat; he regaled with the treasures
and fruits of the country that is yours and not his. You would
soon see your temples in ruins. The cross would disappear from
your cemeteries, the crucifix from your schools.... Fortunately
the Filipinos recognize all the perils that threaten. Perhaps us
a unit for your defense, and as a single soul raise to heaven
your ardent supplications. To arms, to arms, and to prayer! To
arms, for Spanish people, when its patriotism is wounded and its
religion attacked, is capable of great achievement. To prayer,
because the victory is with God and against infidels.
Jose Lonzello, Bishop of Manila. [8]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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