Madrid
He appreciates highly Rizal’s congratulations on his article – Lete, editor of España en Filipinas? – Criticizes the policy of the new publication – He and Ceferino de Leon are not on its staff.
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Madrid, 6 March 1887
Mr. Jose Rizal
My dear Friend Rizal,
I acknowledge receipt of your esteemed letter of the 1st instant. I received very many congratulations on my article from Filipinos and Spaniards, yours for being the most spontaneous, I consider the most valuable of all; thanks for your letter.
Here the manga insic[1] have established a weekly magazine named España en Filipinas whose editorial direction is entrusted to Lete. Undoubtedly upon hearing this you would exclaim, “Lete, editor of a magazine!” Well indeed, friend Rizal, Lete is editor, he who said that he had nothing to do with the Filipino colony, not even in patriotic functions, now edits a publication, organ of the colony. The political tendencies of the magazine must be polite and very moderate. Judging the articles that will be published in the first issue that I had the curiosity to read, there is everything in the magazine; but as to colonial policy, a homeopathic dose; for that reason the policy of the magazine is that of complaisance, so that I say to myself that it seems that there is truth in what Quioquiap says of “Castilas standing up and Filipinos kneeling down,” considering the political color of this new publication planned for the Filipinos. When the Castilas challenge us to a fight, we reply with a smile; when they exploit us, we fete them. I am not connected with that publication, the same with Ceferino de Leon, because the manga suyas do not like my radical and revolutionary methods as if Prim[2] without his radicalism, Martos without his Cimbris(?), Castelar[3] and Pi y Margall[4] without their socialism, could have carried out the Revolution of 1868; as if the Americans without their energy could have attained their independence. Thus, then, Graciano has nothing to do with the publication of España en Filipinas.
Graciano
01-201 [Family]
[1] The phrase refers to the Filipinos.
[2] General Prim, leader of an abortive revolt in 1865 against Queen Isabella II of Spain.
[3] Emilio Castelar (1832-1899), distinguished Spanish man of letters, and president for a period of the Spanish Republic (1873-1874).
[4] Francisco Pi y Margall (1821-1901), Spanish statesman, one of the presidents of the Spanish Republic (1973-1874), and friend of the Philippines.