[213] The other, in rime, excellently done by Mr. Derbyshire, will be found in the Appendix. The blank verse translation printed above was once heard in the American House of Representatives and gave rise to a memorable scene. A debate was on concerning Philippine independence. In a speech of great power and eloquence, Representative Cooper, of Wisconsin, supported the plea of the Filipinos. In the course of his argument he told how he had indifferently picked up at a book-stall a book containing the farewell poem of José Rizal, of whom he knew next to nothing; how he had read it and been so seized with its beauty that he had bought the book and committed the poem to memory. Then he recited it. After the first few lines a profound silence fell upon the chamber, unbroken to the end. As Mr. Cooper uttered the last great line in this wonderful composition, there was an exhibition of emotion unwonted in that place. One of the oldest and most famous representatives, little given to sentiment, afterward admitted that the poem and Mr. Cooper’s speech had converted him to the Philippine cause. He said that a race capable of producing a man of such character and attainments was a race entitled to and capable of its freedom. [214] Retana, p. 417. The newspaper represented was the “Herald” of Madrid. [215] His letters show this. [216] Craig, p. 244. Mr. Derbyshire (p. xlvi) does not indorse this opinion, and Retana (p. 287) recounts a discussion between Rizal and a Jesuit priest in which Rizal seemed to repudiate the doctrine of the eucharist. But Dr. Craig came to the conclusion that in faith Rizal never wavered from the foundation principles of the church. Whosoever reads now attentively the passages in his writings that seem to express his convictions on this subject can hardly fail to be impressed with the noble and exalted piety that breathes through them and is not likely to believe that this could be otherwise than sincere. [217] Craig, p. 244. [218] This would be insisted upon first of all. [219] The obvious lies that have been piled high over all these matters must fill every investigator with disgust. The friars promptly issued (from Barcelona) what purported to be a circumstantial account of Rizal’s last hours. Almost every statement in it susceptible of any examination has been shown to be false, or impossible. The liars have even managed to make doubtful the ecclesiastical marriage with Josephine. They said that the record of it was in Manila Cathedral, but it is not and never has been discovered. They said that Rizal signed in a book of devotions his full acceptance of the articles of faith and gave it to his sister. His sister afterward could not recall having seen it and it was never found. They said that he was fully reconciled to the church, but his burial was not in accordance with the church’s rites.