And State Papers 317 



is now one of. the instruments through which Gov 

 ernor Taft does his admirable work. The civil 

 government, of which Governor Taft is the head, is 

 supreme, and will do well in the future as it has in 

 the past, because it will be backed up in the future 

 as it has been in the past. 



Remember always that "in the Philippines the 

 American Government has tried and is trying to 

 carry out exactly what the greatest genius and most 

 revered patriot ever known in the Philippine Isl 

 ands Jose Rizal steadfastly advocated. This man 

 shortly before his death, in a message to his country 

 men, under date of December 16, 1896, condemned 

 unsparingly the insurrection of Aguinaldo, termi 

 nated just before our navy appeared upon the scene, 

 and pointed out the path his people should follow to 

 liberty and enlightenment. Speaking of the insur 

 rection and of the pretence that Filipino indepen 

 dence of a wholesome character could thereby be 

 obtained, he wrote : 



"When, in spite of my advice, a movement was 

 begun, I offered of my own accord, not only my ser 

 vices, but my life and even my good name to be used 

 in any way they might believe effective in stifling 

 the rebellion. I thought of the disaster which would 

 follow the success of the revolution, and I deemed 

 myself fortunate if by any sacrifice I could block the 

 progress of such a useless calamity. 



"My countrymen, I have given proof that I was 

 one who sought liberty for our country and I still 

 seek it. But as a first step I insisted upon the de- 



