so important a question demands and, after suitable deliberation,
the following declarations were unanimously adopted:

The Philippine Revolution records on the one hand brilliant feats of
arms, realized with singular courage by an improvised army almost
without arms, and on the other the no less notable fact that the
people, after the combat, have not entered upon great excesses nor
pursued the enemy further; but have treated him, on the contrary,
with generosity and humanity, returning at once to their ordinary
and tranquil life.

Such deeds demonstrate, in an indisputable manner, that the Philippine
people was not created, as all believed, for the sole purpose of
dragging the chains of servitude, but that it has a perfect idea of
order and justice, shuns a savage life, and loves a civilized life.

But what is most surprising in this people is that it goes on giving
proofs that it knows how to frame laws, commensurate with the progress
of the age, to respect them and obey them, demonstrating that its
national customs are not repugnant to this progress; that it is not
ambitious for power nor honors nor riches aside from the rational
and just aspirations for a free and independent life, and inspired
by the most lofty idea of patriotism and national honor; and that in
the service of this idea and for the realization of that aspiration
it has not hesitated in the sacrifice of life and fortune.

These admirable--and more than admirable, these wonderful--deeds
necessarily engender the most firm and ineradicable convictions of
the necessity of leaving the Philippines free and independent, not
only because they deserve it, but because they are prepared to defend,
to the death, their future and their history.

Filipinos are fully convinced that if individuals have need of
material, moral and intellectual perfection in order to contribute
to the welfare of their fellows peoples require to have fullness of
life; they need liberty and independence in order to contribute to the
indefinite progress of mankind. It has struggled and will struggle,
with decision and constancy, without ever turning back or retrograding
before the obstacles which may arise in its path, and with unshakable
faith that it will obtain justice and fulfill the laws of Providence.

And neither will it be turned aside from the course it has hitherto
followed by the unjustifiable imprisonment, tortures, assassinations,
and the other vandal acts committed