13 October 1891

Paris

Rizal knows about del Pilar’s ambition to outshine him and knock him down so that he would become sole leader – But he is not resentful – He withdraws to leave the ground free for del Pilar – He considers this decision a blessing to him – His esteem for del Pilar undimmed – He agrees with del Pilar’s opinion that El Filibusterismo is inferior as a novel to Noli Me Tangere.

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4 bis Rue de Chateaudun

Paris, 13 October 1891

MR. MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

Madrid

MY DEAR FRIEND,

I have just received your letter, I have read it, and I am going to answer it in order to put things in their places before I leave Europe. Between us two we can explain ourselves clearly because fortunately our relations date far back and our displeasures are of recent date, perhaps a product of that Madrid atmosphere. Let us explain ourselves then.

You were the one who said that the review Solidaridad belonged to a private enterprise, which dealt with you alone. You said this when I wanted to give the Responsible the power to prevent the publication of this or that article. I told you then that I believed it was a national enterprise. Witnesses are the Filipinos present at the discussion of the by-law. Whether it is a national or private enterprise, you fear that my active and rightful interference in its policy will outshine yours. If this is not little confidence in my political leadership, then I do not know to what to attribute it. I prefer to give this explanation rather than search for another, offensive to the feelings of both. You say: it’s not this, it’s not this. I answer you: Let it be that, because it is not desirable to look for another reason, in my opinion at least.

I am not offended that, impelled by others, you have wanted to overthrow me. It is natural for every one to seek his glory, precisely we were in a country where everyone dissents in order to make himself head of a party or a group. Before, the way you allowed yourself to be used to overthrow me hurt me; but now, when I am more calm, I smile and I consider that your opposition to me has been for my own good, because, if they had elected me unanimously, I would have remained, and in what hardships I would be afterwards! My power being curtailed due to systematic opposition, which so many cares and duties incompatible with the few rights that they wished to leave me, with advisers hostile at bottom, what would have become of me? I would have conflicts and I would be completely discredited. Today I give thanks to Providence who has sought my welfare, and I am grateful still to those who continued voting against me until the last moment in order to give me the unanimous vote that I was wishing! You are right in saying that time makes one see clearly many things. Today I see clear and what I considered bad, now I consider a benefit. Well, I would have had not a few conflicts with the students who had been suspended from their schools, with debts, gambling, and pawn! With my firm and impatient character I would have broken with everybody before allowing any regulation to be ignored!

What a pity that the work we two have undertaken has been cracked! I understand that at bottom you esteem me and I esteem you always, even more than you perhaps believe, because with all feelings, all affection, hate, or grudges are lasting, I do not say eternal! I have this defect, I forgive but I forget with difficulty and no, as I do not forget that you had been my best defender and my best champion, likewise I remember that you had been the first man whom they have wished to use to knock me down. What a pity that we have not been able to continue side by side, and though I represented until a certain point the head of the Filipino colony, you have wished to beat me down and raise yourself and become the first leader! But this is natural in human condition.

My policy, if the life I lead has a policy, is to withdraw gradually from Philippine politics and leave you at its head. So that I would write again for La Solidaridad it is necessary for the representatives of the Filipino people to order me and tell me that I submit my policy to yours. Otherwise, no. By my own will no. I cannot, I ought not to commit suicide. I await my execution. La Solidaridad in these last months has treated me like a stranger. I cannot therefore go to it and humble myself. I await orders from Manila.

I appreciate what you say about my work and I value highly your opinion that considers my Filibusterismo inferior to the Noli. I, too, frankly, without irony or words with a double meaning, share your opinion. For me the Fili as a novel is inferior to the Noli, so that I receive cum grano salis[1] the opinion of those who tell me that the Fili is superior to Noli. Blumentritt, all those at Paris and Barcelona, for their benevolence towards me, say it is superior. I attribute it only to their benevolence. You are the first one to tell me that truth and you coincide with my manner of thinking. This flatters me as it proves that I still know how to judge myself. Well, now with respect to unity, ideas, depth, etc., it is another thing. I understand that you find it strongly written. I have done it on purpose, so that the objectives of La Solidaridad may stand out and appear less red: I believed that I would not need to give you these explanations, but this gives you the key. So that I believed it might even be desirable that you attack it. For this reason, I say that I work along parallel lines with La Solidaridad. Reflect on it well.

I am not abandoning you or leaving you alone; on the contrary, I believe that you are now better accompanied than ever before. The clay idol that a bottle of champagne has melted, if it is really of clay, what does it matter if it disappears? Time will tell who is right. I want to make it of record that never do I oppose the rise of anyone, even though it may cause my downfall. I leave the ground free to all those who want to triumph and I withdraw.

May this currishness that seems like the quarrels of slaves disputing among themselves about the relative merit of their chains not erase altogether the remembrance of past years when we had not yet met under the sky of Madrid! I will continue keeping my esteem and friendship for you, rather friendly than indifferent to La Solidaridad, and you rest assured that never will I join any plot or conspiracy to overthrow you or to kill your periodical. For me to withdraw is not to wage war against you.

I will write Naning from Marseille.

An embrace, and let there be peace among old friends.

Yours,

RIZAL

03-663 [Reformists]