Madrid
15 January 1889
Antonio Luna
Dear Rizal,
That I have written you that you take charge of collecting the quotas of the subscribers in Barcelona must have been a phenomenal lapsus plumae.[1] The reason is that on the same day, and moments before it, I was writing a letter to Barcelona. Therefore it must be understood that I was referring to London rather than to Barcelona. Aliquando dormitat Antonius.[2]
I see that you are not quite in agreement with the A.H.F.[3] Neither do I have much faith in it, because, laying aside the questionnaire, I find no response from persons in general to whom the welfare or the misfortunes of the Philippines does not matter a straw. I consider it doubtful that the Spaniards would come to offer us rights and liberties that they enjoy. Those are for them, for us duties. Nay, our countrymen themselves, all almost all, are terrified to give their names to the association. This and many other circumstances may bring this association to an early end. However, we shall try to make it advance, for its purposes are laudable.
About national representation. If this is the reason why you do not want to accept the post offered to you, we could arrange it. You will note that the questionnaire is still under study and consequently it cannot be said that what is written in the constitution (which is not the by-laws) is all the aims of the association. It could have others, who doubts it?
I send you newspapers which describe our meeting which was brilliant – most brilliant. More than 2000 persons, more than 500 women filled the halls.
Yours,
Antonio
P.S.
Tell me which book about the Philippines you are translating from the French.
I received the papers, I shall send proxies in sealed envelope by mail.
03-350 [Reformists]
[1] Slip of the pen.
[2] Even Antonio sometimes nods, a paraphrase of Horace’s “aliquando bonus dormtat Homerus” (even good Homer sometimes nods).
[3] Asociacion Hispano-Filipina