The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-08
AGUINALDO.

Rochester Demo crat and Chronicle.
A disposition has been manifested in
some quarters to make contemptuous and
derisive remarks about the gold collar
said to be worn by Aguinaldo, the chief
of the Philippine insurgents. This mark
OF authority or leadership may have a
hmorous aspect to those unaCquainted
with its meaning or symboical siEnih-
canoe, but persons thus easily amused
might also see funny things at any as
semblagc of the various apparelled for
eign legations in Washington. OtiiCial
costume and personal adornment are
matters of taste and habit, of national
usage. and even of ironCad rule in some
countries. There is no more reason to
make fun of one than of another, and a
Philippine collar is not more iesitimately
subject to criticism than is anything
worn by a Turk. a Persian, a Frenchman
or Russian. So Aguinado's gold collar
is absolutely out of the discussion so TAR
as it may be supposed to have any rela-
tlon to the quantity and quality of Agul-
| naldo's brains and mental equipment.
There is also a dis position in some quar-
| ters to hoot at Aguinado; to call him an
upstart, an adventurer, a mischief-mdkel
and a rogue; to dencunCe him for Keep
| ing his army in order and for showing a
| combative disposition. But there are two
| things worth remembering: First, all me
| stories of Agunaldo's threatening talk
and belligerent behavior toward the
Americans have turned out to be Ill
| founded. lie has not made any trouble.
| He has submitted to American direction
| and suggestion. Events have not Justi-
| fed the portraitures of him as an uncon-
| trollable wild man, nor have they exhibit
| ed him as a disturber and a nuisance. lie
| has, In fact conducted himself with sur
prising moderation when all the CirCum-
| stances are considered. Second, Aguin1l-
| do is the leader of a movement to deliver
| his people from Spanish systems of op-
| preston more terrible even than those
| which have afflicted Cuba. He and his
| followers were filled with new hope and
| energy when Dewey eXtinguished Span
| ish power in the Philippines lie is ready
| to cooperate with the Americans in max
| ing the deliverance permanent. lie is
| ready to fight again If a renewal of
| Spanish rule is attempted. No such at
| tempt can be successful without the con-
| sent of the American government. There
| are mugwumps and flaS-naulerS in this
| country who are in favor of giving such
| consent-not many of them. to be sure,
| but enough to spread their perntcious
| views abroad and enough, perhaps, TO
| make Agunaldo suspicious of the inten-
| tions of this government If he Is dis
trustful, he is justified in maintaining a
| certain attitude of reserve and in being
| prepared for emergencies. If he did other
| wise he would be false to himself and his
people. He is true to himself and them
| so far as he is determined to resist to the
utmost any effort to re-establsh Spain in
| the Philippines.
| The intention Of the United States gov
ernment will soon be definitely knowh
and then it is altogether probable tina,
| Aguinaldo will be unreservedly on the
American. side For it would be mon
strous to suppose that our government
| will fail to make the expulsion of the
Spaniards complete and final. Such taii
ure would be against the dictates of hui
manity; it would in fact. be so abhorrent
| to American sentiment that it may be
set down as an impossiblity.