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(Governor General Maria de la Torre)
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<p>
Unusual were the circumstances of his coming and epoch-making were the events of his administration. The Philippines had been loyal to the royal 

family of Spain during the Napoleonic wars and the withdrawal of their representation in the Cortes, which occurred at intervals for a third of a 

century, had not disturbed that loyalty. Yet now there had come a governorgeneral who represented a government in power through the expulsion of 

their sovereign. It was revolutionary, and the excitement over the news was increased by De La Torre's reversal of all precedents. 
</p>
<p>
The stately guard of halberdiers was dismissed and the highest official of the land mixed in society unceremoniously. A proclamation announced him to 

be at the people's service at all hours for whatever complaints they might have, and deeds promptly followed his words. 
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<p>
The alleged outlaws, who were really persons who had been wronged in the land troubles, were pardoned and from their number under their former chief 

was organized a corps of rural guards which speedily brought a theretofore unknown tranquillity. No wonder the Filipinos gave to the new 

administration an honor unknown to his predecessors, the spontaneous tribute of a popular serenade. 
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<p>
Twenty-one months passed and De La Torre was replaced by <i>Rafael de Izquierdo y Gutierrez</i>, for whom he conscientiously compiled an explanation of his administration that 

the new authority might intelligently carry on the work. But reaction came, those who had applauded De La Torre for that reason found themselves in 

disfavor.

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<p>
As a precaution Governor De La Torre had had all foreign mail examined and the list of men of liberal ideas thus obtained was the basis of the 

persecutions which followed the executions and wholesale exiling nominally connected with Cavite. 
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<p>
An old man, he retired to his family estates, once broad but sadly shrunken through his years of liberality. There from Pozorubio he wrote his 

defence against the charge of being responsible for the uprising of Cavite. 
</p>
<p>
Contrast the brave words of the Governor-General upon his first coming to the Philippines, and his expressions after the conclusion of his office 

when he was upon the defensive. 
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<p>
"As good, honored and loyal,you are recognized as our brothers. *** I shall indicate to you the salient features that will characterize my 

administration, which I hope will be as my character dictates, foreign to all kinds of repression, because command is more pleasant when it is chosen 

by those who are under the necessity of being affected by it." 
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<p>
And on the defensive: 
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<p>
"I have governed with justice and honesty, conformably to the 

special laws of that country, without consenting or permitting the slightest alteration in them, and what is more, without permitting in the 

newspapers of Manila any discussion nor even any allusion as to whether or no it were desirable to alter or modify those laws." 
</p>
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<p>
Yet that was the most liberal period of Philippine history under Spanish rule. Twenty odd years later another liberal Governor of the Philippines 

defended himself against the charge of too great humanity by telling of how many men he had ordered shot. 
</p>
<p>
Sorry indeed was Spain when a De La Torre had to save himself with his countrymen in the Peninsula by exaggerating his despotism and a <i>Ramon Blanco</i> found 

his only defense in magnifying his brutality. There's a contrast with the present regime which marks 1898 as the beginning of different days, and the 

men of the old era are entitled to the charitable consideration which belongs to those who come out of great tribulation. 
</p>
<p>
Biographical details and incidents of De La Torre's administration would detract from the one great lesson which paints the past in its true colors 

and reveals how the Filipino people found themselves without hope and came to resort to the weapon of despair, insurrection. The outcome of the 

events of 1869 was the origin of the events of 1896. 
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<p>
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<b>Reference:</b><br/>
Philippine progress prior to 1898, by Austin Craig and Conrado Benitez, Philippine Education Company, Inc., 1916
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De La Torre, The liberal Governor-General of 1869-1871