There are only two alternative futures this country faces, he says. One is that it remains a Spanish colony but is treated with respect. There is good reason to believe that is possible. The liberal elements in Spain have become strong, and the voices calling for reforms in the Philippines, from both the civil authorities and the local intelligentsia, even stronger. "The Philippines will remain Spanish if she enters the path of rightful and civilized life, if the rights of her people are respected, if the liberal policy of the government is carried out without shackles and meanness, without subterfuges or false interpretations."

Two is that the country cuts off its umbilical cord with Spain through violent means. There is even more reason to believe that is possible. How did the Filipinos get to where they are in the first place? Rizal asks at the beginning of his article.

He answers: For centuries under Spanish rule, the Filipinos demeaned themselves. "Little by little, they lost their old traditions, the mementos of their past; they gave up their writing, thei

Some topics in this essay:
Rizal Filipino, Century Hence, America Filipinos, Filipinos Rizal, Spain Americans, Filipino Spaniard, Filipino American, JOSE Rizal's, Jose Rizal, century hence, , writing songs poems, lost traditions mementos, little little, history record enduring, record enduring, history record, spanish rule, writing songs, traditions mementos, ashamed own admire, mementos past, record enduring rule, lost traditions, enduring rule,