The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-26
ONE OF OUR NEW ACaUAINrAxcEs.


The American people are gradually get
ting acquainted with some of the personal
characteristics and pecuiarties of several
distinguished foreigners with whom circum-
stances have recently brought them into
contact 1t remains to be seen whether the
acquaintance will prove mutually agreeable
and profitable. Among the number is Senior
Emilio Agunaldo, of the Philippines or to
give him his full military designation, Gen
eral Emilio Aquinaldo Y Fami. This, how
ever, is not his only title, for a few months
ago he styled himself Dictatorial Governor
of the Philippines. and recently. having
proclaimed republic, he calls himself Pres
ident 1t would seem that General Aguin-
aldo is as fond of titles as he is of decora-
distinctive badge of office gold collar with
a gold triangular pendant, engraved with
the sun and three stars, also a gold whistle
and a stick with gold handle and tassel
of gold. This is not exactly in accordance
with the American idea of presidential dig
nifty and Jeffersonian simplicity, but it must
be remembered General Aguinaldo is new
agination. But the general is no fool. On
the contrary, he has shown himself a shrewd
and able leader Of men, smart enough to
outwit the Spanish Governor General of the
Philippines and cheat him out of large
sum of money, and capable of heading an
instruction that mas given the Spanish
government an immense amount of trouble
a.
the ending of Spanish rule in the Philip
pines. If it is true as stated that he pocket
ed 900 which the Governor General gave
him to divide among the other insurgent
leaders as a. bride to leave the islands, the
wonder is that the Spanish government did
not recognize his fitness for Office and make
him Governor General in place of the man
he had swindled. This and other incidents
justify a belief that General or President,
Aguinaldo possesses a large amount of
worldly cunning though, having been edu-
Gated for priest, one would naturally ex-
pect him to be free from that quality. But
it must be remembered he was born and
reared under Spanish rule, and even Poly
nesian morals may succumb to such sur
rOuIIulHSS. "A recent proclamation or his
whether the latest or not we are not quite
certain, as the Philippine climate is very
prolific in proclamations-was printed in the
Sunday Journal. In 1t he said:
The great North American Nation the
repository of true liberty and therefore the
friends of freedom for our nation, oppressed
and subjugated by the tyranny and despot-
ism of its rulers, has come to afford to the
Inhabitants a protection as decisive as it is
undoubtedly disinterested, regarding our I'M
fortunate country as possessing sufficient
civilization and aptitude for self-govern-
ment; and in order to justify this high con-
ception formed of us by the great American
Nation, we ought to reprobate all such acts
as may derogate from that conception, such
as pillage, robbery, and every class of out
rage against person or property. In order
to avoid international conflicts during the
period of our campaign, / order as follows,
etc.
No fair minded person can read this with
out admitting that General, or President,
Aguinaldo is a very able person, and very
friendly to the great North American Ma
ton, since he is willing to furnish it with
a Philippine policy ready made to hand. Per-
haps, as time passes we shall get better
acquainted with General, or President,
Aguinaldo.