Note 7 — Chapter XVII · RESULTS AND INFLUENCES
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With other evidences of gratitude the legislature sought to bestow a pension on Rizal’s mother. The character of this extraordinary woman was revealed again in her response. She declined the pension on the ground that it would lower the standard of patriotism observed in her family. The Rizals, she said, did not serve Filipinas for money.
José Rizal’s father died soon after José’s murder. His mother lived to see the Spanish flag pulled down and the power of the friars annihilated. Paciano Rizal was living in 1923, a prosperous farmer. Mrs. José Rizal joined the insurgent army after her husband’s death and for a short time appeared with rifle in hand in the trenches. Soon afterward she retired to a hospital, where she served for a time as a nurse. She then made her way to Manila, where she had a heated interview with Governor-General de Rivera.—(Foreman, p. 388.)
“What did you go to Imus for?” inquired the general.
“What did you go there for?” rejoined Josephine.
“To fight,” said the general.
“So did I,” said Josephine.
“Will you leave Manila?” asked the general.
“Why should I?” asked Josephine.
“The friars will not leave you alone if you stay there, and they will bring false evidence against you. I have no power to overrule theirs.”
“Then what is the use of being governor-general?”
Because of her adopted father’s nationality, she was now under American protection; otherwise she would have experienced the vengeful feeling that still possessed the reigning powers. She made her way to Hong-Kong, where, after a time, she remarried and so passed from history. ↑