Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-11
That Filipino Petition.

Who wrote the petition signed by two
thousand F'ilipinos which was read in the
Senate yesterday? 1t Is clearly not OF
Asiatic origin. 1t lacks the fustian and
tropical wealth of figure which character
lees he oriental style While fervent, 1t
does not soar at all. Had Aguinaldo or
of his Heutenants prepared 1t a
flight to heaven and back again would
have been required of every one perusing
It, No educated Filipino would express
himself in such terms, even with the aid of
a coach. With liberty for his topic, no
human agency could hold him down to
earth. Scar he would, and through all
space. No ordinary vocabulary would con-
tract his powers. but the whole boundless
wealth of the east in the way of eloquence
and poetry would be laid under tribute TO
properly fit him out. The heads of senators
yesterday would have whirled under the
strain.
The paper Is of other origin. 1t gives
every evidence of foreign preparation. 1t
Is in what the critics call the oratorical
style. Observe this:
We have not hesitated therefore, to
present this appeal to the United States
Congress, trusting that the latter may bet
ter understand the real aims and aspira-
lions of our people. Therefore the Filipino
nation bearing IN mlQO not only the heroic
history of America, but also her sacred
traditions. her humanitarian doctrines and
her democratic institutions. asks OF Ameri-
ca to cease her persecution of men strug-
CLING TO be free against greater odds and
greater wrongs than those which inspired
the fathers of the American republic. We
ask this of Americans in the name of
Washington. in the name of Jefferson in
the name Of Lincoln. In the name of JUS
tice and In the name Of God Eternal, Judge
of the World
Note particularly the last sentence. How
redolent that is of the American stump!
How strongly it suggests the perfervid gen.
tleman who buttons a Iong-tailed coat
around impressive person and beseeches
his fellow citizens to bestir themselves and
save the country, And how trippingly
those names are rolled off, And how accu-
rate their arrangement! Observe also that
the shade of Jackson is not invoked, The
author feared to do that! He remembered
Old Hickory's record in Florida. and knew
that IL he were alive today and in COM
mand at Manila he would make the archi-
pelago rock with his exertions to put down
all armed resistance to American author
ity!
Let us have the name of the gentleman
who drew this petition and sent it to Ma
Mia for signatures Today's cables show
that squabble Is in progress between
Agoncillo and Apaciblo in London as to
the control of the European juntas. That
is of little Importance to us. The ques-
ton of greater concern is. what lilo or
"Iblo is in charge Of the American junta
and what are his American connections?
Likewise, would II not be we'll to forward
TO General Macarthur at once the names of
the signers of the petition for his informa-
ton and protection? Filipino residents of
Manila who are enjoying the security of
American authority there and yet are in
league and sympathy with their armed
brethren in the bush, may need looking
after
Meanwhile the country will applaud the
attitude of General Joseph R. Hawley and
wish him many more years of usefulness