The
influx of Liberal Ideas
These liberal ideas,
contained in books and newspapers, were ideologies of the American and French
Revolutions and the thoughts of Montesquieu, Rousseau, Voltaire, Locke,
Jefferson, and other political philosphers.
The Spanish Revolution
of 1868. In the year 1868, Spain was swept by a revolution led by Genreal Juan
Prim and Francisco Berrano against the autocratic rule of Isabela II (1833 –
68), the beautiful but tactless queen.
The Suez Canal and the
Filipinos. The opening of the Suez Canal to world shipping on November 17, 1869
stimulated Philippine progress.
De
la Torre, Liberal Spanish Governor (1869 – 71).
He was Genral Carlos
Maria de la Torre, an able soldier and true democrat. The Filipino people and
the Spanish liberals welcomed him. They rejoiced as he took office on June 23,
1869
The
Liberty Serenade of 1869
The serenade was led by
prominent residents of Manila, including Jose Cabezas de Herrera (Civil
Governor of Manila), Father Jose Burgos, Maximo Paterno, Manuel Genato, Joaquin
Pardo de Tavera, Angel Garchitorena, Andres Nieto, and Jacobo Zobel.
Liberty
Parade and Red-Ribbon Reception
The pareade was
jubilant affair with colored lanterns, banners and music. The paraders wore red
ties which Mrs. Sanchiz had made fashionable. These red ties were emblematic of
liberty.
Governor De la Torre
again entertained the Filipino leaders, who prepared the liberty parade, at a
magnificent reception in his palace. The vivacious Mrs. Sanchiz acted as a
palace hostess, because the governor’s wife was an invalid. “Mother of the
Filipinos” Mrs. Sanchiz
Liberalism
and the Filipino Patriots.
The success of the
Spanish Revolution of 1868 and the liberal regime of Governor De la Torre
encouraged the Filipino patriots to discuss political matters and aspired for
reforms.
Achievement
of De la Torre
He abolished the strict
censorship of the press and fostered the free discussion of political problems.
He recognized the freedom of speech and of the press, which were guaranteed by
the Spanish Constitution .
De la Torre’s greatest
achievement was the peaceful settlement of the agrarian trouble in Cavite.
Restoration
of the Reactionary Regime
The Provisional
Republic of Spain which was founded by the Spanish revolution in 1869 came to
an end of 1870.
Izquirdo,
Autocratic Governor (1871 – 73)
On April 4, 1871,
General Rafael de Izquierdo assumed the governorship succeeding De la Torre.
Izquierdo’s first
official act was the disapproval of the school of arts and trades which was
being organized by the Filipinos of Manila.
The
Cavite Mutiny of 1872
On the night of January
20, 1872, about 200 Filipino solider and workers in the Cavite arsenal
mutinied. Their leader was Lamadrid, a Filipino sergeant.
This mutiny was
magnified by the Spaniards into a “revolt” to implicate the Filipino priest and
patriots.
