RUINS OF MANILA CATHEDRAL AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE.
In 1867 the “Guardia Civil” was formed, for the purpose of capturing the bandits who overran the country. These bandits had come to be as great a source of danger as the pirates had been, and in 1869 the peril of the situation was increased by a proclamation made by Governor-General Torre. This proclamation offered free pardon to all bandits who should present themselves to the government within three months. This was a great opportunity for the ill-disposed people of the provinces. Hundreds of them became bandits and entered upon a three months’ term of robbery and outrage, sure of pardon at any time they might present themselves before the governor. It became necessary to organize a special guard, which was called “Torre’s Guard,” to go against this great mob of outlaws.
QUEEN ISABELLA II. AS A CHILD.
But in spite of murmurings, discontent, and suffering among the people, the work of building up the city, and of making improvements in and about Manila, went steadily on. The palace was rebuilt, work was begun upon the cathedral, and many public works were undertaken. In 1865 a municipal school, in charge of the Sisters of Charity, was founded, and a normal school for teachers was opened in Manila under the charge of the Jesuits, who had returned to the country in 1859, after an absence of nearly one hundred years. The civil government, which had recently been formed in Manila Province, supported this school.
In 1868 Queen Isabella II. of Spain was deposed, and the government that followed her was of a revolutionary nature, founded on republican principles. While this government prevailed, an Assembly of Filipinos and Mestizos was formed in Manila. Its members, who were persons born in the islands, hoped to bring about certain reforms in the local government. They had the power of voting reforms for the colony, subject to the will of the home government. They outlined many reforms which were needed in the islands, and tried to gain for them the attention of the home government. But the influence of the conservative party, both at home and in the colony, prevailed. It was not long before the monarchy was again in power, and then this Philippine Assembly died.
The Filipinos had had a taste of self-government, and it was hard for them to go back into bondage. It was not possible that they should again submit patiently to the oppression which they had borne for so many years. The spark which Spain herself had kindled no power on earth could extinguish, and the little fire of liberty burned on, waiting for the moment when it should burst into a great flame.
Summary.—The situation in the Philippines was becoming desperate. There was lack of trust between the Spanish and the Filipinos, and this kept them from understanding or helping one another. More and more severe measures were taken by the rulers to keep down revolt. By the middle of the century the ravages of pirates along the coast had nearly killed all trade. The merchants of Manila now brought steam trading ships from Spain, and these, being swifter than the craft of the pirates, escaped capture; but towns along the coast were still subject to raids. In 1848 an expedition went against the pirates and punished them severely. Other expeditions followed up the work of that one, and at last, in 1860, eighteen steam gunboats were sent from Spain. With the aid of these the Spanish forces were able to put an end to piracy in those seas.
In 1854 there was a serious uprising, headed by a young Spanish Mestizo named Cuesta. This was put down, and a number of Filipinos who had taken part in it were executed. This uprising greatly increased the anxiety of the government in the islands. In 1860 a civil government was founded for Manila Province. In this same year the Parian, the building where the Chinese lived within the walled city, was destroyed. In 1863 a great earthquake in Manila killed thousands of people and reduced the city to ruins. In 1867 the Guardia Civil was formed, and efforts were made to capture and punish the bandits who overran the country. Much work was done during this and succeeding years toward rebuilding the city. In 1865 a normal school for teachers was opened in Manila. In 1868 Queen Isabella II. was deposed, and for a time the government in Spain was revolutionary in character. While this government was in power, the more enlightened Filipinos and Mestizos in Manila tried hard to bring about reforms at home; but the new order was short-lived, and the monarchy was soon restored to power in Spain.