ABSTRACT
In the long conflict character shone forth and latent ability, refuting old slanders on the race. The Filipino disclosed himself. By ancient repute the Malayan was cruel and treacherous; the test of warfare showed him to be much more humane than the Spaniard and more sensible of honor and faith. Men whose talents had never been suspected because they had never had a chance to function arose in the Filipino ranks to astonish their enemies and overwhelm prejudice. Great commanders appeared like Luna and del Pilar; statesmen and thinkers like Felipe Calderon; and profoundly philosophical and illuminating intellects. Much than Jose Rizal he seems to have seized the fundamental facts about man's capacity for self-government and the only way to uncover and develop that capacity. He was not influenced by Bonifacio, of whose existence he seems to have been unaware until 1892. Of the ground he had tilled in Dapitan, surrounding the little house where he had taught his school.
