Note 9 — Chapter XV · THE KATIPUNAN

What took place at their meeting was long in dispute. Enemies of Philippine independence have asserted that in wrathfully rejecting Bonifacio’s appeal Rizal declared himself against any effort for national freedom. This is in accordance with a common process of over-emphasizing (for propaganda effect) Rizal’s dislike of force and doubt of the present readiness of his people for self-government. It is certain that he declined Valenzuela’s proposal and with some heat;9 we may also believe that with all his might he strove to dissuade his countrymen from violence. Yet there is testimony extant that when he found all his pleadings were useless and the violence he feared was but too likely he admitted that he could not in any event separate his sympathies from his struggling countrymen.