Hong Kong
Determined to go back to the Philippines – “I cannot live knowing that many are suffering unjust persecutions on my account.” – “Seeing my people persecuted like criminals” – “I offer my life gladly to free so many innocent persons” – “Let those who deny us patriotism see that we know how to die for our duty and convictions.” – “What does it matter to die, if one dies for what one loves, for the Native Land?”
* * *
Hong Kong, 20 June 1892
TO THE FILIPINOS:
The step that I have taken, or I am about to take, is undoubtedly very perilous, and I need to say that I have pondered on it a great deal. I realize that everyone is opposed to it; but I realized also that hardly anybody knows what is going on in my heart. I cannot live knowing that many are suffering unjust persecution on my account; I cannot live seeing my parents suffering in exile, and their friends; I cannot live seeing my brothers and their large families persecuted like criminals. I prefer to face death cheerfully and gladly give my life to free so many innocent persons from such unjust persecutions.
I know that at present the future of my country gravitates in some degree towards me, that at my death, many would rejoice, and consequently many are longing for my downfall. But what to do? I have duties of conscience above all else; I have moral obligations towards the families who suffer, toward my aged parents whose sighs pierce my heart; I know that I alone, even with my death, can make them happy by returning them to their native land and to the tranquility of their home. My parents are all that I have, but my country has many sons still who can take it to advantage.
Moreover, I wish to show those who deny us patriotism that we know how to die for our duty and our convictions. What matters death if one dies for what one loves, for native land and adored beings?
If I know that I were the only pillar of Philippine politics and were I convinced that my countrymen were going to make use of my services, perhaps I would hesitate to take this step; but there are still others who can take my place, who can take my place to advantage. Furthermore, there are perchance men who find me superfluous and my services are not needed, inasmuch as they reduce me to inaction.
I have always loved my poor country and I am sure that I shall love her until my last moment, should men prove unjust to me, I shall die happy, satisfied with the thought that all I have suffered, my past, my present, and my future, my life, my loves, my joys, everything, I have sacrificed for love of her. Whatever my fate may be, I shall die blessing her and wishing her the dawn of her redemption.
Publish these letters after my death.
JOSE RIZAL
01-749 [Family]