Note 70. The idea that the Liga was but an introduction to the
Katipunan is not borne out by the facts of the case. The Liga
Filipina was a foundation of Rizal, whilst the Katipunan was a
conception of Pilar who, finding Rizal was carrying all before him,
determined not to be out-done by his former companion. The very fact
of the enmity existing between the two leaders is proof enough that
the two societies were not one and the same thing, although after
their foundation they walked arm in arm. The Liga, as an association,
was eventually dissolved, and from it was formed the Compromisarios
(see note 63) and this body continued its functions till the outbreak
of the revolt. The vicissitudes of the Liga did not lessen Rizal's
influence. Ever ready to tell a lie or act one if it were to his own
advantage, Rizal permitted the free use of his name in connection
with the Katipunan also. To the vast majority of the oath-bound,
the Katipunan was but the Liga under another form; and in order that
the people should not know of the rivalry existing between himself
and Pilar, Rizal gave no signs of disfavor towards the foundation of
the new society; in fact he rather favored it, seeing that under the
circumstances it would make him figure as its "hero," and he would thus
be enabled to take the wind out of Pilar's sails. The only objection
raised by Rizal to the work of the Katipunan, was that which he made
to Valenzuela: that the time had not yet come for armed rebellion.
As long as he held supreme influence Rizal was satisfied; but as the
separatist element was becoming weary at the long absence of its
"Moses" and had begun to worship the "calf" (not a golden one, by
the way) "Moses" got angry and threw down, in disgust, the "tables
of the law."
In its beginning, Rizal was the idol of the Katipunan, in the same
way as Morayta (note 13) was the idol of the rebellious Filipinos
in Madrid, and others parts of the Peninsular. Isabelo de los Reyes
[60] would have us believe that the foundation of the Katipunan
was a result of the indignation of the people, consequent upon the
deportation of Rizal. This, in the face of facts, is a very poor
argument and demonstrates either the ignorance or the bad faith of
Reyes. And he himself contradicts it a few lines further on by saying
"that without knowing Rizal, the Katipunan acclaimed him its honorary
President." This latter they certainly did but not "without knowing"
him. They did so because they knew nothing of his disagreement with
Pilar, the real founder of their society, and because the aim of the
two societies was practically one.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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