The Advocate and news., 1899-02-01

der to you everything but our liberty
and independence. It Is very dear to
you in America; why not to us in the
Pacific? With your industry, your per-
severance, and your sense of justice,
which hope will in the end prevail,
you might in time gain every point you
wish; but 1t will come much easier
through diplomacy and fairness, than
through force or fighting.
I'VE, the Filipinos, are united in our
desire for independence; surely to Amer
leans this should not, seem so great o
crime. We have determined people
led by able and patriotic men, who know
how to use to advantage the material at
hand. General AguinaIdo, though but
20 years OF age, is the chosen represen-
tative Of nine-tenths Of the inhabitants
Of the archipelago. In two revolutions
against the rule of Spain he has proven
himself an excellent organizer and a
skillful military commander. He won
the esteem and confidence Of the Fill
pinos when holding the position Of
mayor In one of the smaller cities, under
Spanish control, by refusing to enforce
DEGREES which emanated from the cap
tain general at Manila, and which were
so manifestly unjust and illegal that
even the Spaniards smiled in contempt
as they read them. He Immediately re-
signed his position and fled a protest
against the proposed outrages, which ac-
tlon caused his arrest and Punishment
from the country. It gained for him,
however, the love and gratitude of the
Filiplnos, and they lost no time In get
ting him back again, where he soon be-
came the recognized leader Of system
attic revolt against the authority Of Spain
in the islands.
Surrounding himself with able coun-
selors, he formed cabinet, and pro-
ceeded to lay the foundations of a re-
public, toward which form Of govern
ment every liberty-loving people natur-
ally leans. was at the time In Hong
kong, China, looking up the interna-
tional possibilities of the situation. Gen
eTal Aguinaldo wrote and urged upon me
the necessity of getting rifles and car
tridges to him at once. was fortunate
In procuring some 1000 flrst-class mod
ern magazine guns and large amount
Of ammunition; but when | reached the
lnsurgent army with them, found he
had succeeded, by capture and purchase,
In securing about $4,000 rifles, as we'll |
rs large quantities OF war material, from
the Spaniards themselves.
General Aguinaldo Is not an adven-
.urer, as Is frequently stated by his ene-
mics, but is simply man Of the peO-
pie and patriot. His parents were Of
good, but not of a great, family which
las been true of many noted men. AL
though enjoying only two years Of
he is remarkably well in
ormed upon affairs OF the world at large.
His wife and little 2-year-Old boy are
devoted to him, and follow his fortunes
n person, not only in exile, but onto the
ield Of battle as we'll.
General AguinaldO Is our idol, our
Washington. So far he has never failed
Is, and to him and his associates whom
We have elected we are looking to be led
through the troublesome times which
confront us at the present moment. 1t
s the earnest prayer Of every Filipino,
Ind should be that of every American,
hat wise councils may prevail, and that
)loodshed may be aVerted.
"To accomplish this end we are willing
ng to sacrifice almost everything but the,
me sacred principle for which we have
o long fought--absolute liberty and po-
itical independence"