The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER XLIX 228
with attention to all you have said. But, after all, my friend, I believe that we are looking at things through
rather impassioned eyes. Here, less than in other parts, do I see the necessity for reforms."
"Is it possible, sir," asked Elias, extending his arms in a gesture of despair, "that you do not see the necessity
for reforms, you, after the misfortunes of your family?"
"Ah, I forget myself and my own troubles in the presence of the security of the Philippines, in the presence of
the interests of Spain!" interrupted Ibarra warmly. "To preserve the Philippines it is meet that the friars
continue as they are. On the union with Spain depends the welfare of our country."
When Ibarra had ceased Elias still sat in an attitude of attention with a sad countenance and eyes that had lost
their luster. "The missionaries conquered the country, it is true," he replied, "but do you believe that by the
friars the Philippines will be preserved?"
"Yes, by them alone. Such is the belief of all who have written about the country."
"Oh!" exclaimed Elias dejectedly, throwing the paddle clown in the banka, "I did not believe that you would
have so poor an idea of the government and of the country. Why don't you condemn both? What would you
say of the members of a family that dwells in peace only through the intervention of an outsider: a country
that is obedient because it is deceived; a government that commands be, cause it avails itself of fraud, a
government that does not know how to make itself loved or respected for its own sake? Pardon me, sir, but I
believe that our government is stupid and is working its own ruin when it rejoices that such is the belief. I
thank you for your kindness, where do you wish me to take you now?"
"No," replied Ibarra, "let us talk; it is necessary to see who is right on such an important subject."
"Pardon me, sir," replied Elias, shaking his head, "but I haven't the eloquence to convince you. Even though I
have had some education I am still an Indian, my way of life seems to you a precarious one, and my words
will always seem to you suspicious. Those who have given voice to the opposite opinion are Spaniards, and as
such, even though they may speak idly and foolishly, their tones, their titles, and their origin make their words
sacred and give them such authority that I have desisted forever from arguing against them. Moreover, when I
see that you, who love your country, you, whose father sleeps beneath these quiet waters, you, who have seen
yourself attacked, insulted, and persecuted, hold such opinions in spite of all these things, and in spite of your
knowledge, I begin to doubt my own convictions and to admit the possibility that the people may be mistaken.
I'll have to tell those unfortunates who have put their trust in men that they must place it in God and their own
strength. Again I thank you--tell me where I shall take you."
"Elias, your bitter words touch my heart and make me also doubt. What do you want? I was not brought up
among the people, so I am perhaps ignorant of their needs. I spent my childhood in the Jesuit college, I grew
up in Europe, I have been molded by books, learning only what men have been able to bring to light. What
remains among the shadows, what the writers do not tell, that I am ignorant of. Yet I love our country as you
do, not only because it is the duty of every man to love the country to which he owes his existence and to
which he will no doubt owe his final rest, not only because my father so taught me, but also because my
mother was an Indian, because my fondest recollections cluster around my country, and I love it also because
to it I owe and shall ever owe my happiness!"
"And I, because to it I owe my misfortunes," muttered Elias.
"Yes, my friend, I know that you suffer, that you are unfortunate, and that those facts make you look into the
future darkly and influence your way of thinking, so I am somewhat forearmed against your complaints. If I
could understand your motives, something of your past--"