The hero of the Filipinos The story of José Rizal, poet, patriot and martyr
Catholic. Do you not think it will be very hard for you to die outside
of their chosen religion?” To which Rizal replied:
“Mr. Attorney-General, you may be sure that I have no intention of
closing the gates of eternity upon myself.” Piñana, p. 79.
[220] Craig, p. 240.
[221] Retana, p. 428.
[222] Clifford, in “Blackwood’s Magazine.”
[223] Retana, p. 429.
[224] Retana, p. 431; Craig, p. 248. The details of the last scene in
Retana’s account followed here were supplied to him by Dr. Saura, who
said he followed the death-march and tried to hear all that was said.
[225] Foreman, “The Philippine Islands.” p. 386.
[226] Retana, pp. 430–432; Craig, pp. 247–250; Derbyshire, pp.
xlvii–xlix; Clifford in “Blackwood’s Magazine”; Mr. Tavera’s
corrections; Piñana; Foreman, Chap. XXII.
[227] Craig, p. 251.
[228] Craig, p. 259.
[229] He rose from the ranks to the grade of brigadier-general.
[230] General Monet (Spanish) operated in the north against the rebels
with Spanish and native auxiliary forces. He attacked the armed mobs in
Zambales province, where encounters of minor importance took place
almost daily, with no decisive victory for either party. He showed no
mercy and took no prisoners; his troops shot down or bayoneted rebels,
non-combatants, women and children indiscriminately. Tillage was
carried on at the risk of one’s life, for men found going out to their
lands were seized as spies and treated with the utmost severity as
possible sympathizers with the rebels. He carried this war of
extermination up to Ilocos, where, little by little, his forces
deserted him. His auxiliaries went over to the rebels in groups. Even a
few Spaniards passed to the other side, and, after a protracted
struggle which brought no advantage to the government, he left
garrisons in several places and returned to Manila.—Foreman, p. 390.
[231] Treaty of Biacnabato.
[232] Fernández, p. 251.
“That Spanish circles in Manila as well as the Filipinos were in
expectation, late in 1897, and early in 1898, of the announcement of
some comprehensive scheme of Philippine reform is apparent from the
press of that time.”—Blair and Robertson, Vol. LII, pp. 200–201.
[233] For a full account of these difficulties, see “The Outlook for
the Philippines,” pp. 77–98.
[234] Barrows, “History of the Philippines,” p. 308.
[235] Incredible as it may seem, when the first anniversary of his
death came, December 30, 1897, the implacable Interests made it an
occasion of public holiday and rejoicing.
[236] With other evidences of gratitude the legislature sought to
bestow a pension on Rizal’s mother. The character of this extraordinary
woman was revealed again in her response. She declined the pension on
the ground that it would lower the standard of patriotism observed in
her family. The Rizals, she said, did not serve Filipinas for money.
José Rizal’s father died soon after José’s murder. His mother lived to
see the Spanish flag pulled down and the power of the friars
annihilated. Paciano Rizal was living in 1923, a prosperous farmer.
Mrs. José Rizal joined the insurgent army after her husband’s death and
for a short time appeared with rifle in hand in the trenches. Soon
afterward she retired to a hospital, where she served for a time as a
nurse. She then made her way to Manila, where she had a heated
interview with Governor-General de Rivera.—(Foreman, p. 388.)
“What did you go to Imus for?” inquired the general.
“What did you go there for?” rejoined Josephine.
“To fight,” said the general.
“So did I,” said Josephine.
“Will you leave Manila?” asked the general.
“Why should I?” asked Josephine.
“The friars will not leave you alone if you stay there, and they will
bring false evidence against you. I have no power to overrule theirs.”
“Then what is the use of being governor-general?”
Because of her adopted father’s nationality, she was now under American
protection; otherwise she would have experienced the vengeful feeling
that still possessed the reigning powers. She made her way to
Hong-Kong, where, after a time, she remarried and so passed from
history.
[237] In the life of Rizal the note of physical love is scarcely
perceived. Don Isabelo de los Reyes has written:
“I have said that he sacrificed even his natural passions for his
country, because if Rizal would have stretched forth his hand for
better favor from the Philippines, he would easily have received it;
and yet he did not marry, undoubtedly so as not to bring misfortune on
his family because of the horrible end which he foresaw, and only ‘in
articulato mortis’ married a foreigner who had been his sweetheart.
Thus he made patent the fact that he did not hate the white race, as
his enemies the priests claimed. They are very much interested in
having it believed that the insurrectionists do not hate them directly,
but the entire white race, which is a calumny, as are so many others
that they are wont to invent to help obtain their ends.”—Retana, p.
338.