to the integrity of Spain. Finally, under Spain
our future is clear, and with all certainty we shall be free and
rule. Under the Americans our future is cloudy; we shall certainly
be sold and lose our unity; some provinces will become English,
others German, others French, others Russian or Chinese. Let us
struggle, therefore, side by side with Spain, we who love the
Philippines united and free. Long live Spain!

_Pedro Alejandro Paterno_.
_Manila_, _31st of May_, 1898.

This _Manifiesto_ was replied to a week later by the rebel party,
who published a Refutation, of which the following is a translation:--

_Refutation_ of the _Manifiesto_ of Senor Paterno.

"Actions speak louder than words."

A better phrase, or idea, could not be found with which to reply
to the _Manifiesto_ of Don Pedro A. Paterno, published in _El
Comercio_ of the 2nd instant, than the epigraph which heads
these lines.

Senor Paterno begins by saying that he loves his country as
none other does; he wants it to be great, free, and happy,
and to shape its own destinies according to its own desires and
aspirations. _Would to God such beautiful language represented
the truth_, for it is just what we wish and what we have, long
ago, been aiming at, at the risk of our lives and property,
as proved by our actions and our arguments, especially since
the middle of the glorious year of 1896, the period in which we
commenced the conquest, by force of arms, of our most cherished
liberties. May Senor Paterno forgive us if we cite a little of
the history of this movement, so that he may see that neither
are we ungrateful, nor are we acting with precipitation, but as
a logical and undeniable consequence of the vile conduct and bad
faith of the Spanish Government.

For over 300 years the country slumbered in ignorance of all that
referred to its rights and political liberties. It was resigned to
the Spanish governmental system of spoliation, and no one thought
of reforms. But when the Revolution of September, 1868, broke
out in Spain and overthrew the throne of Isabella II., the first
revolutionary leaders, inspired by ideas of humanity and justice,
caused an Assembly of Reformists to be established here, one of
the members of which, if we remember rightly, was Don Maximo Molo
Paterno, father of Don Pedro