31 January 1889

London

Condolence on the misfortunes of Austria — Blumentritt accepts the presidency of the International Association of Philippinists — We wish to obtain the happiness of the Philippines through noble and just means — “If I had to commit a villainy to make her happy, I would decline to do it.” — Casal’s book is not veracious.

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37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W.

London, 31 January 1889

Dear Friend,

I am writing you to tell you first of all that I join you and Austria in your sorrow.[1] Even the people here sympathize with the Austrian people for the misfortunes they have recently suffered. But there are peoples much more unfortunate for whom this kind of mishap would be luck.

I have received your letter and I am most grateful to you on behalf of my country for having accepted the presidency. Do not be afraid that we would embarrass you, even if it were a matter of asking for the welfare of my country. We want the happiness of the Philippines, but we want to obtain it through noble and just means, for right is on our side and therefore we ought not to do anything wrong. If I have to act villainously in order to make my country happy, I would refuse to do it because I am sure that what is built on sand sooner or later would tumble down.

Fear nothing then. If we always confine ourselves within our rights, reason shall be on our side, despite the friars and the others: and if it impossible for us to defeat our enemies now, one morning will come and another day will appear, for there must be a God of justice, otherwise we shall become atheists.

I have already read Casal’s book and I am very sorry that he had signed it. They have written me from Madrid that the author was a friar. Casal knows neither the Philippines nor her inhabitants. He left the Philippines as a child. He was educated in Europe, and when he returned to the Philippines, he stayed for short a time — shorter than I did — that he could not have obtained a sufficient knowledge of the condition of her inhabitants. Moreover, Casal is a happy man and he has only mingled with the happy and powerful. For that reason he is satisfied with the conditions obtaining there. He has a large income and he does not live there. Therefore, why should he undertake a quixotism to set aright wrongs and defend the helpless? His descendants will certainly be Spaniards and it would be folly to fight for the Philippines when one has his hopes pinned on Spain.

I have already sent to Mr. Schadenberg a copy of Noli me tángere. Although I have sent it by registered mail, I doubt, however, if he will receive it.[2]

José Rizal

03-354 [Reformists]