Emilio Aguinaldo's First State of the Nation Address

by Emilio Aguinaldo

Gentlemen:

My joy today is so great that i feel like being in Heaven, now that I am witnessing the gathering of the defenders of mother Philippines, my tongue seems lied because of my extreme joy.

However, i will force myself to speak in order to tell you what i feel. I am like one who fell asleep since August 30, 1896 up to now, and dreamed of having seen the delivery, with aid of Heaven, of our suffering Mother from the cruel Spanish domination. I saw the flower then the fruit, which blossomed into Liberty and Freedom.

And you, my dear brothers are here to give effect and testimony to the fruit of our struggle for freedom, by establishing our Congress.

I am deeply grateful to you for coming this Congress, I can say that with the establishment of this Congress, our battle for freedom is at an end. Let all nations take notice that we have an Army, A Congress and a Government, three things needed to replace the Spanish rule in our beloved Philippines. All progressive nations like America, France and England, also availed these three things to attain liberty, wisdom and wealth

There are those patriots only in word, and others who advocate annexation. These kind of men will destroy our nation. I plead for unity. We are all brothers, and we alone can help each other. I call upon the educated, the intelligent, and the wealthy to come forth and cooperate with our Army which so gallantly and heroically fought for our freedom. Come all of you, and hasten the complete independence of the country including Visayas and Mindanao.

Thank you.