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           Heaccepteditinthebenightedwayofmen,who,thoughmadeinGod’simage,arelikestoneidolswithoutsensebeforethesmokeofcertainburntofferings.Hewasruinedineveryway,butamanpossessedofpassionisnotabankruptinlife.DonJoseAvellanosdesiredpassionatelyforhiscountry:peace,prosperity,and(astheendoftheprefaceto“FiftyYearsofMisrule”hasit)“anhonourableplaceinthecomityofcivilizednations.”InthislastphrasetheMinisterPlenipotentiary,cruellyhumiliatedbythebadfaithofhisGovernmenttowardstheforeignbondholders,standsdisclosedinthepatriot.

           ThefatuousturmoilofgreedyfactionssucceedingthetyrannyofGuzmanBentoseemedtobringhisdesiretotheverydoorofopportunity.HewastoooldtodescendpersonallyintothecentreofthearenaatSta.Marta.Butthemenwhoactedtheresoughthisadviceateverystep.Hehimselfthoughtthathecouldbemostusefulatadistance,inSulaco.Hisname,hisconnections,hisformerposition,hisexperiencecommandedtherespectofhisclass.Thediscoverythatthisman,livingindignifiedpovertyintheCorbelantownresidence(oppositetheCasaGould),coulddisposeofmaterialmeanstowardsthesupportofthecauseincreasedhisinfluence.ItwashisopenletterofappealthatdecidedthecandidatureofDonVincenteRibieraforthePresidency.