The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-29
CAREER OF AGUINALDO
HE WAS AN INsURGENT EVEN IN HIS
DEBUT on THE WORLDS STAGE.
An Intense Personality Inspiring I'm
lOwers--A Dangerous Force.


noted for its religious professions. 1t was
the occasion of the feast of the twelve
apostles. well-dressed mestizo youth of
medium height and slender figure stood in
the crowd that surged through the little
plaza, thinking strange thoughts and look
ing on the expectant throng with curious
eyes.
The church doors swing open, and the pro-
cesslon, for which all have been waiting,
comes out, native band in front playing
lively air, while behind, with gorgeous
banners and jeweled images, walk the happy
participants. A murmur of applause breaks
from the crowd. The village cure is in
front, his eagle eye. Notwithstanding his
humble mien, on the lookout for such delin-
quents among his flock as may be in the
crowd
The image of Christ borne on the Shout
ders of twelve sturdy natives, passes by
and all the onlookers fall on their knees,
crossing themselves with simple reverence
all but one. the mestizo youth, who remains
standing with covered head, while a mock
ing smile plays around his determined lips.
The priest observes him and stands STILL
staring at the refractory native with flash
iEg eyes. With an imperious gesture he
motions to him to kneel. but the youth an
is still playing. and the musicians, uncon-
scious of the halt in the rear, are stepping
briskly forward
The procession has been stopped, and
those behind are stepping on the heels of
those in front Confusion is imminent, and
the priest is in a towering rage. AS he can
not make himself heard. on account of the
din, he motions TO two of the village guards
that they seize the youth. These proceed
TO DO so, and struggle ensues. They are
unable 10 oVerpoWer MIN, and 1T is not until
they are reinforced by two of their fellows
that they are able to take the struggling
mest1zo to the village prison.
Meanwhile many of the worshipers have
arisen They watch the affair with keen
interest, and not few show sympathy for
the prisoner, though none venture to aid
him. The priests eye is still upon them.
Again the procession moves forward and
makes its customary round without further
annoyance.
The next day Emilio Aguinaldo of Cavite,
late student at the University of st. 1hom-
as, Manila, is brought before the village
tribunal. Ills accuser is a priest, and the
crime Is blasphemy. The prisoner attempts
no defense, and smiles the same bitter smile
as he hears the sentence of perpetual BAN
ishment from Slang pronounced against
nm lew years before his fate would
have been a much harder one But even
then this young man had given evidence of
great popularity, and 1t was known that
most OF the villagers were in sympathy with
HIM. Aguinaldo left for his home III Cavite
the same day.
OF MIXED BLOOD.
Emilio Aguinaldo is about thirty years of
age. He is a mestizo-that is, of mixed
Spanish and native bIood-of obscure origin.
His father was planter in the province of
Cavite, who, having great faith in his son,
sent him to the university in Manila. Here
the youth, however, attained no distinction,
and he gave but little promise for the fu-
ture. In fact, he was considered so inept in
the theoretical studies of the madiaeval cur
riculum Of that university that he was sent
back home as hopeless case. The father;
however, had not lost faith in the boy, and
next sent him to the Jesuit College in
Manila. Here he made great progress; but
naturally fond of things military, he took
the first opportunity to enlist as a petty
officer in the Spanish army. But after the
little incident narrated above occurred
AguinaldO became a marked man.
When DIR. Jose Rial, that most learned
patriot, was organizing the Society of the
freeing of the islands from Spanish tyranny,
Aguinaldo was his most trusted lieutenant
and his most ardent supporter. Rial was
banished, and all the world knows of his
tragic end. Aguinaldo, loo, was suspected,
and was at his home when squad of ma
tive soldiers, headed by Spanish officer.
reading the warrant the incipient rebel
promptly blew out his brains, and then, with
In1llIlnR
melting them to join him in revolt. His
words were effective, and they escaped to
the mountain forests, where they were soon
joined by thousands of sympathizerS.
This was the celebrated rebellion of 1896,
which made such Roadway that the Span
iards convinced of their inability to .quell
it by force resorted to their usual trickery.
All of the reforms demanded by the natives
the chief of which was legislative repre-
sentation and the expulsion of the friars-
were promised. Aguinaldo. having the good
country heart terms
proposed, and disbanding his army went to
Hong-Kong, the headquarters of the Phil
ippine junta, to watch the march OF events.
He had been paid by the Spaniards a large
sum of money-several thousand dollars
which was to be used for the education
abroad of the sons of the executed Philip
pine leaders. 1t was, however. held for a
probable emergency, and the emergency
came. The Spanish, with characteristic
disbanded insurgents, slaughtered their
leaders, and welded the letters of the peo-
pie only the more tightly. The friars were
at the bottom of this, and they knew no
mercy: The result might have been fore
seen. The people were driven into very
frenzy and another revolution was precipi-
tated-a revolution which became an ava
lanche of retribution which nothing could
stop. 1t was at this time that the Ameri-
can fleet came to the aid of the struggling
F1lipinos: Deweys grand victory tolled the
knell of Spanish tyranny in the Philippines.
and Aguinaldo at once entered into relation
with the victorious Americans.
II y LII OE O0lA0M.
The money at his disposal was spent for
arms, and with these and other munitions
of war received from his American allies
he returned to the islands. An enthusiastic
welcome awaited him here. He was Joined
by thousands, and in a few weeks had no
less than fifty thousand natives under his
command Only few thousand of these
were armed with modern accouterments,
but they were all ablaZe with enthusiasm
and town after town was taken. / think
him to be a pure and sincere patriot. Be
IeVe me- from what l know of the man.
ne VIII nght even the Americans themselves
rather than see the islands or any part of
them given back to Spain. He is intensely
bitter against the frairS as he has reason
to be, as they have been the most cruel
oppreSSors. OFTEN when the government
tive reforms ii was they who thwarted
every advance.
Aguinado has unbounded influence with
his countrymen, and, Notwithstanding $25.-
WO has been offered for his head, not one at
tempt has yet been made upon his life He
OF his power; The Filipinos will never fol-
low coward. They are naturally fataliSts
and Indifferent to death and have the great
est contempt for man who shows the
so despiSe the Chinese. Aguinaldo is al
ways a the head and is a born leader. He
takes the initiative in every case, and
consults with mo one. He will brook no
opposition. and his followers know this. He
has had one or two would-be rivals but
they cannot withstand him. He is supreme
in the affection and in the confidence of the
people. and | believe him to possess Won
derful administrative talent. His one con-
Stunning passion is liberty. his one thought