Ghent
Resentments and disagreements? – Let us not talk of the non-existent – Reasons why Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad – “I fight for the nation, the Philippines.” – Alejandrino and Evangelista are studying – On Sunday they eat together in Philippine style and talk about Philippine problems, mathematics, and politics.
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MR. MARCELO H. DEL PILAR
[Madrid]
MY DEAR FRIEND,
I am extremely surprised at your letter, telling me about resentments, disagreements, and reconciliations, etc. I believe it is useless to talk about what does not exist, and if it has existed, it ought to have evaporated in the past. I think like you do, that there being nothing, one ought not to waste time talking about it.
If I stopped writing for La Solidaridad, it was because of several reasons: 1st, I need time to work on my book; 2nd, I wanted other Filipinos to work also; 3rd, I considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work; and as you are already at the top and I also have my own ideas, it is better to leave you alone to direct the policy such as you understand it and I do not meddle in it. This has two advantages: It leaves both of us free, and it increases your prestige, which is very necessary, inasmuch as men of prestige are needed in our country. This does not mean to say that I need not work and follow the course of your work. I am like an army corps who, at a needed moment, you will see arrive to descend upon the flanks of the enemy before you. Only I ask God to give me the means to do it. Besides, frankly I do not want to waste time attacking and fighting private enterprises like that of Fr. Font, Quioquiap, and others. I fight for the nation, the Philippines.
If Ponce still has copies of the Noli, I beg him to send one with the enclosed letter to Mr. Vigil;[1] and if this gentleman asks for one more copy, please send him without asking for payment. In case he has no more, do me the favor of informing my cousin Rianzares who ought to have still some copies.
Here we are well. Alejandrino and Evangelista[2] are working and studying. On Sunday afternoons we foregather and eat in Filipino style and we spend the evening talking and discussing Philippine problems, mathematics, and political principles. Until now it has not occurred to us to buy playing cards or play chess.
This is all, regards to all our friends there, and command your friend,
RIZAL
03-640 [Reformists]
[1] The director of the Biblioteca -Museo de Ultramar, See Juan Luna’s letter, dated 24 July 1890.
[2] Edilberto Evangelista (1862-1897) was born in Santa Cruz, Manila; studied at San Juan de Letran College and Santo Tomas University, then at the University of Ghent, graduating in 1895 as civil engineer. Returning to Manila in September 1896 he was arrested and detained for several days on account of copies of Noli me tangere and El Filibusterismo found in his luggage. Immediately after his release he joined the KATIPUNAN and enlisted in the revolutionary army. Assigned to the engineering corps as director-general he was the builder of remarkable fortifications in Cavite and Muntinglupa . He died in action in the Batte of Zapoote Bridge, 17 February 1897.