Paris
Typographical errors in La Solidaridad – Rizal’s photos – P. Roxas and the patriotic movement – In the crusade we are engaged in I should not like comedians and merchants to take part – Do not ask for heroism from the purse – Drop the pseudonyms; whoever wishes to take part in the crusade should have renounced beforehand life and fortune – The persecution of Rizal and Plaridel is due to the fact that they are isolated men – The day when they shall bound, they can live peacefully – God did not support those who fought for their own interests – Force will be the last resort.
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10 Rue de Louviois, Paris
22 June 1889
[Mr. Marcelo H. del Pilar]
MY DEAR PLARIDEL,
Above all I request you not to forget to call attention in the number 10 issue of La Solidaridad to two errors which slipped in my article which are difficult for the reader to correct – one is typographical and the other due to my pen – and they are Orillas del Pais for Orillas del Pasig; Expedicion de Villalobus for Expedicion de Loaysa.
With this letter will probably go my photos.
I have already written you that, according to my information, P. Roxas will go directly to Spain passing through Barcelona and soon afterward from there will come here to stay for some ten years. If he comes here, you can be sure that I shall do everything possible to come to an understanding with him.[1] If he is a man who truly loves his country and wants to do something for her, rest assured that I shall get much. Well now, if in reality he does not want to do anything but only wishes to pretend, as soon as I find it out, I shall not take the slightest step, because in the work we are undertaking I should not like comedians and merchants to take part, but only men of spirit and valor. But it seems that fortunately this gentleman is not so, but is one of the most worthy of the rich Filipinos, for I know that he has defrayed the cost of the education of several persons, etc. in my opinion we ought not to bind him to any commitment or demand heroism from him. One must not ask from the purse the qualities of the steel blade or even of the leather or wooden scabbard. Let each one contribute according to his ability and inclination.
Is the Solidaridad received in Manila? Luna is going to begin a series of articles signed with his name. Leave out the pseudonyms. Henceforth, it its necessary that we start another policy, the policy of courage and genuine solidarity. The periodical is becoming important. Imagine if there should appear in it such signatures as Blumentritt, M. del Pilar, Jaena, Luna, etc. our compatriots, seeing our courage, not the courage of one alone but of many, seeing that Rizal is no exception but the general rule, will also become courageous and lose their fear. There is nothing like example. Our enemies will be terrified upon encountering a youth that fears nothing when it comes to serving his country, a youth that is not deterred by the vengeance currently practiced. What I said will be fulfilled, that the more vexations are committed the more Filipino liberals will emerge. Besides, whoever wants to take part in this crusade ought to have renounced beforehand life and fortune. Henceforth then, let them see that the more compromising an article is the greater courage of its author. An indifferent or literary article whether signed or not with a pseudonym may pass; but a serious political article should bear the name of its author so that they may see that our generation is different, that it is not the generation of the author of Diputado por Filipinas.[2] At any rate they will take revenge on us, but at least let our death or our misfortune be a brilliant example to the rest. Be convinced, moreover, that if life in the Philippines is dangerous for the author of the Noli or for that of La soberania monacal, it is because they are isolated cases; but the day when the Rizals and the Plaridels abound, the day when Ponce, Panganiban, Graciano, Apacible, Icasiano, Llorente, and others publish other works and return home, we shall live there as peacefully as here. When only one single column supports a weight, it can break; but if there are many columns, the danger is not so great. Be convinced that for every good example a Filipino gives, thousands and thousands in geometrical progression are won, for God or Destiny is on our side, because justice and reason are on our side, and because we are fighting not for selfish reasons but for the sacred love of our country and our compatriots. The men who had preceded us fought for their own interests and so God did not support them.[3] Novales for the question of his promotion, Cuesta for revenge, Burgos for the curacies. We, on the other hand, fight so that there may be more justice and more liberty and for the sacred rights of man. We ask nothing for ourselves, we sacrifice everything for the common good, what have we to fear? We are not revolutionaries, neither do we want blood nor do we hate anyone, and we shall resort to force only when we have exhausted every other means, when they drive us to the wall, to fight or die, when then God gives every man the right to defend himself as best he can. Then we shall be within our cause, and we shall triumph. What have we to fear? You see that foreigners applaud us and already esteem us. Our cause finds defenders. The Filipino youth should wake up and show the foreigner that we are better than they have depicted us, that we have conviction and courage. Besides, as they are beginning to attack us, it is necessary not only to be frightened but also to double our courage and fortitude, and every time they attack us the rest may see that our number increases, new authentic names appear, more champions, more fighters. The example will spread and our enemies will be afraid, and as we shall be united by a common cause, we shall help each other.
The two articles of La Nacion[4] are so silly and so . . . that I loathe to answer them. Besides, in the book that I am going to publish – when I receive funds – the matter is treated adequately. Write me, however, if you want me to answer it.
When you go to Madrid, what will be done with periodical?
Regards to all
Yours,
RIZAL
02-411 [Blumentritt V.1]
[1] Rizal and his fellow reformists had enough practical sense to realize that their patriotic efforts needed financial backing; hence their eagerness to enlist the support of the wealthy Mr. Pedro Roxas.
[2] By Antonio Ma. Regidor.
[3] Rizal alludes to the numberless uprising which occurred during the Spanish regime.
[4] The author of the articles was a woman, Antonia Rodriguez de Ureta. One of the articles, Una observacion (An Observation) was answered by Blumentritt with an article, Una overtencia (A Warning) in La Solidaridad , 31 May 1889. About the woman author see Rizal’s letter to Blumentritt, 23 June 1889.