To show something of their line of thought and actual legislation we quote from the beginning of their Constitution a few clauses only:

"We, the representatives of the Philippine people, lawfully invoked, in order to establish justice, provide for common defense, promote general welfare, and insure the benefits of freedom, imploring the aid of the Sovereign Legislator of the Universe in order to attain these purposes, have voted, decreed, and sanctioned the following

POLITICAL CONSTITUTION OF THE PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC.

"Article I. The political association of all the Filipinos constitutes a nation, the estate of which is denominated Philippine Republic.

"Art. 2. The Philippine Republic is free and independent.

"Art. 3. Sovereignty resides exclusively in the people. "Art. 4. The government of the republic is popular, representative, alternative, and responsible, and is exercised by three distinct powers, which are denominated legislative, executive, and judicial. Two or more of these powers shall never be vested in one person or corporation; neither shall the legislature be vested in one individual alone.

"Art. 5. The state recognizes the equality of all religious worships and the separation of the church and the state."

See pages 107-109 of Senate Document No. 208 of the 56th Congress.

Their constitution contains the same safeguards for freedom as are to be found in the constitutions of our American States.

It was promulgated on January 23, 1899, at Malolos, Island of Luzon, and can compare favorably with our

own.

CHAPTER IX.

FILIPINO CIVILIZATION IN LUZON.

Naval Cadet Leonard R. Sargent and Paymaster W. B. Wilcox, U. S. N., who traveled through the Island of Luzon by Admiral Dewey's permission during the months of October and November, 1898, wrote a report which received Admiral Dewey's official endorsement, as follows:

"Approved and respectfully forwarded for the information of the Navy Department. Especial attention is invited to this interesting and carefully prepared report, which, in my opinion, contains the most complete and reliable information obtainable in regard to the present state of the northern part of Luzon Island.

"George Dewey, "Rear-Admiral, U. S. Navy, Commanding Asiatic Squadron."

Mr. Sargent also wrote two articles for the Outlook of September 2 and 23, 1899, and we quote a few sentences from them as follows:

"At that time the military forces of the United States held control only in Manila, with its environs, and in Cavite, and had no authority to proceed farther. In the meantime the native population, taking matters into their own hands, had declared their independence from all foreign jurisdiction and had set up a provisional government with Aguinaldo at its head. Although this government has never been recognized, it can not

be denied that, in a region occupied by many millions of inhabitants, for nearly six months it stood alone between anarchy and order. It was the opinion at Manila during this period, and possibly in the United States, that their condition was something akin to anarchy.

"I can state unreservedly, however, that Mr. Wilcox and I found the conditions to be much at variance with this opinion.

"We visited seven provinces, of which some were un

der the immediate control of the central government at Malolos, while others were remotely situated and accessible only by lengthy and arduous travel.

* * *

We

"As a tribute to the efficiency of Aguinaldo's government and to the law-abiding character of his subjects, I offer the fact that Mr. Wilcox and I pursued our journey. throughout in perfect security and returned to Manila with only the most pleasing recollections of the quiet and orderly life which we found the natives to be leading under their new regime. * * * We traveled first across the province of Nueva Icija, by far the poorest and least interesting of all the provinces we visited. And yet even here we were greatly surprised by the intelligence and refinement of the inhabitants. were particularly struck by the dignified demeanor of our hosts and by the graceful manner in which they extended to us their welcome. We had unlimited opportunities for conversation with the citizens of the towns, and we found everywhere a class that gave evidence of considerable culture and a certain amount of education. * * * The Spanish language, Spanish history, church history, and the dead languages evidently formed its leading features. The natives of this class seemed to have made use of the opportunities offered them, and they had the subjects above mentioned completely at command.

"Our route carried us through the valley of the Rio Grande Cagayan-probably the largest area of level country in Luzon Island. Its towns throughout give evidence of the labor that has been expended on them. Each town has an elaborate church and convent, usually built of brick. Our entertainment in the different towns varied according to the facilities at hand, but in all cases music was the leading feature. The towns of Ilagan and Aparri, with their wealthy and pleasure-loving population, provided a most elaborate entertainment. These towns are laid out in regular streets, and have many squares of substantial frame buildings. They have each a population of between ten and fifteen thousand. We spent three days at Ilagan, and I think it was here that we were brought into closest touch with the Filipino character. The cultured class which I have spoken of

before was strongly in evidence, and I think before leaving we had discussed views with nearly every member of it. They all realized that they were passing through a crucial period in the history of their people, and were eager to acquire all possible knowledge that might assist them to think clearly in this crisis. On the evening following our arrival a ball was given in our honor, which was attended by all the elite of the town. There were present about fifty young women and twice that number of men. All were dressed in European fashion. The girls were pleasant, and the men comported themselves in all respects like gentlemen. It was hard to realize that we were in the very heart of a country generally supposed to be given up to semi-savages.

"During our stay at Ilagan we lived at the house of the mayor. This building was of great size, and was built of magnificent hard wood from the neighboring forest. The reception room was very large, with a finely polished floor. It contained a piano and set of excellent bamboo furniture, including the most comfortable chairs and divans imaginable. The Filipinos pride themselves on their cookery, and it is indeed excellent. There is no suspicion of the greasy and garlicky flavor that characterizes a Spanish meal. The shortest of three dinners given in our honor numbered fifteen courses, and seemed interminable. In addition to fish, rice, chickens, and other domestic products of the country, there was served game of many sorts, including doves, snipes, deer, mountain buffalo, and boar. It was astonishing how many of the dishes were "comida del pais," and must be sampled by the visitor to secure a just conception of the Filipino talent in matters of the palate. The Filipino's table is always set, at least when guests are present, with a tablecloth and napkins and the customary supply of knives and forks. He is very temperate in his use of liquor. I have never seen an intoxicated Filipino."

From such law-abiding, liberty-loving, reliable citizens of the Philippines were recruited the Masons and Katipunans who started the insurrection, and the men who formed the Filipino army in their fight against the friars.

CHAPTER X.

AMERICAN CIVILIZATION IN LUZON.

Before passing from this testimony as to the temperate habits of the Filipinos we wish to call especial attention to this point, and to emphasize it by the following evidence presented by General Whittier to the Paris Peace Commissioners, to be found upon page 501 of Senate Document No. 62 of the 55th Congress:

"I talked with Spanish prisoners at Tarlac, an important military station on the line of the railroad, and they said they had had good treatment only. The wives of two officers had lately visited their husbands in jail (one at Dagupan, 123 miles north), and gave same testimony. Aguinaldo, in a letter of August I to our late Consul at Manila, Mr. Williams, said, 'Say to the Government at Washington that the Filipino people abominate savagery; that in the midst of their past misfortunes they have learned to love liberty, order, justice, and civil life.' I believe the natives to be brave (under good leadership), most tolerant of fatigue and hunger, and amenable to command and discipline, if justice and fair dealing rule. They are very temperate, as most natives of the East are. I have never seen a drunken one, and this with the example of our soldiers, whom they imitate in everything else; very quiet, no loud quarrels, very good house servants and cooks."

Before Messrs. Sargent & Wilcox took this tour of investigation, General Wesley Merritt, the American Commander then, made the following memorandum, to be seen upon page 23 of Senate document No. 208 of the 56th Congress, which is as official as any endorsement could be:

"For myself and the officers and men under my command I can say that we have conceived a high respect for the ability and qualities of the Filipinos, and if called