The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-28
The Personal Character OF Aguinaldo.

The Singapore Free Press recently printe ed
an astonishing estimate OF the intellectual
and moral qualities OF AGrINALDo. This
sketch Of the leader of the Filipino insur-
gents might nave been drawn by WILLIAM
LLOYD GARRISON or EDWARD ATKINSON or
+. LAWRENCE GODKIN, but it is signed by
one HOWARD W. BRAY, whom we take to he
I'll Englishman in the employ OF AGUI-
NALDo, perhaps his private secretary and
the author of his bombastic proclamatOns.
Mr. BRAY says Of his chief;
lie is a born leader OF men. like wAsHlNGroS.
E,roIroN, FL cid. SALApIN. Cha,R. MoHAMMED.
sAKY,Mt ~. and the Founder OF Chrisendon; one Of
those whO have always risen from the people at the
critical stage Of their respective countrys history.
He has accomplished what few have accomplished.
and will 90 down to history as one of the world s
heroes. every inch man"
The truth about AGrINALDO Is as well
known in Hong Kong as anywhere in the
world. OF tn" disgusting eulogy published
in Singapore hy BRAY, the china Mail of
May 1, 800, remarks:
= What is most pulling Is the utter stupidity Of
any newspaper with any prrtcnce to seriousness ad
hitting into its columns such rubbishy nonsense,
blasphemous and utterly untrue. every word OF IT,
or AGUiShtpo the following has appeared recent
estimate of him: A deihed. ignorant Indian with \
swollen head. but empty for all practical purposes.
Timidity vergng cOwarlice is his chief character
istic. He never fought battle in his life. and Is
much afraid to leave his for fear of being
knitted ry some kiud country man whom lie has
wrongcd"
The Cind Mall proceeds to recite the
chief events of AGUINALDos career with a
view to exhibiting him as a selfish and ava
nj riu oh VT mi in al
and ignoble way, and utterly and irrcdecm.
ably corrupt. 1t accuses him OF having
sold himself and his followers in the for
mer uprising against the Spanish. for
money. Instead Of being a WASHINGTON,
II NAPOLEON or a SALADIN, he has neither
personal courage nor military ability. The
China Nail goes on to say:
In the eight with the Americans the credit of
any is due to others fire eaters M,BINI
LuS., Pho DEL Pillar. BUESC,MISo. McNrExEGRo
and few Others of the stamp--of question.
able reputation but clever organizers and authors Of
the furious articles that have from time to time ap.
peared in the rebel papers lawyers and medicos by
profession. most of them. AGUiSALpo had also by
his side about four hundred Spaniards dessrters of
whom CELso MAYOR ia n principal officer. and their
handiwork is plainly visible in the eXcelIently
structed trenches around Malolos. Calumpit and
neal never have surrendered"
The truth about AuUINALDo Is manircstly
somewhat nearer to the Chinn Mairs DOr-
trait than to that drawn by the absurd or
dishonest Mr.. BRAY. Yet low opinion OF
the moral qualities of the insllrgcnt leader
is not inconsistent with an impartial recog-
milton Of his smartness Of mind. Whether
his ability is exercised at first hand, or con-
sists simply of a knack Of using to good
: advantage the brains and courage of 9TH
ers, AGUINALDO certainly has not shown
himself fool. Nor is it likely that mere
charatan could have impressed Admiral
DEWEY AS a person of Importance.
As a further and very enlightcning con-
tributiOn Of truth about AGUINALDO and his
rause, we reprint from the Christian Adro-
rate letter written with personal knowl-
edge by Dr. SEAMAN A. KNAPP, formerly
President of the Iowa State College. The
reckless statements of Senator HoAR re-
speeding AGUISALDo's title to American
sympathy drew from DR. KNAPP this letter.
1t should be read by every American.