Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-04-04

WIN Probably End the Fighting.
The War Department had received
cahlesram from Gen. Macarthur at
Manila, stating that Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo, leader OF the Philippine
revolutionists, had taken the oath of
allegiance to the United States.
1t is altogether probable that this
act on the Fart OF the leader of tho
patriotic revolution will put an end to
the war, and from one point OF view
this will be we'll. 1t will prevent
further loss Of life. further destruction
OF property and further enormous war
expenditures.
But the surrender OF the revolutionary
leader does not alter the situation with
respect to the course pursued by this
country, nor relieve us of the disgrace
and ignominy brought upon US by the
Mckinley administration. When, three
years ago, this country engaged in q
war with Spain for the purpose of
freeing Cuba-but Cuba is far from
free yet. the great heart Of the Ameri-
can people was fired with the idea that
the war was patriotic movement for
the freedom OF people who had for
years been oppressed and outraged by
the cruel rule of a despotic monarchy.
Congress voted money without re-
Rtriction and by unanimous vote, and
the call for volunteers met with such a
response fiom patriotic and sym
pathetic people that the supply far ex-
ceeded the demand.
When, in the course of this war,
Admiral Dewey smashed the Spanish
fleet and Notifications at Manila, he
was welcomed with joyous acclaim by
the Filipinos, who had for three
centuries been fighting to free them
selves from the cruel yoke of Spain.
They were of great help TO the Ameri-
can forces in subduing the Spanish
army at Manila, and Admiral Dewey
publicly and officially recognized their
valuable aid. They looked upon the
advent Of the United States as their
signal deliverance from tue rule of
Spain, and as the first step towards
that liberty and self-government for
which they and their forefathers had
been fighting so bravely and SO long.
But not long did their reioicings
continue They soon learned that free
dom and self-Rovernment had been de.
MED them. That, at treaty between
the representatives OF Spain and OF
this country, they had been sold by
Spain, who had no right to sell, to
this country, which had no right to
buy, for the sum of 900, 600, 600. That
instead OF being a free people, they
were simply subjects transferred. by
purchase and without their consent,
from one country TO another. Mean
while they had been harassed and
gradually driven back from the city
that they aided the United States
forces to capture, until finally, made
desperate by outrage and indignity,
they found themselves ouoe more fight.
ing for liberty and Independence, but
this time against the great United
States of America. That they con-
tinued for nearly three years, fight
against heavy odds, that they could
not help knowing from the first was
hopeless, is proof not only Of their
bravery. but of the depth and sincerity
of their sentiment in favor Of In.
dependence.
Then came the browning act Of
infamy, the capture of the leader of
these brave patriots, by treachery most
foul, and contemplate practices that
are in absolute contradiction OF the
acknowledged rules of warfare. And
with his capture, followed by the be.
trayed captive taking the oath Of
allegiance, it ia reasonable to predict
that the war is practically at an end.
But what picture 1t is. govern
ment founded upon the blood Of
patriots who gave their lives that
their descendants might. have liberty
and Independence, gives its powerful
aid to crushing people who fought
for like privileges years before this
government was ever thought of. By
every instinct OF freedom, Eby every
sentiment expressed in the Declaration
of Independence. We should have aided
these people, instead of purchasing
them and compelling them to submit
to the purchase. We should never have
raised hand against them, much less
resorted to treason, perjury and
treachery, and every other sneaking
and unmanly device, for the purpose
of capturing their leader. s
What chapter OF history for the
children of future generations in the
United States to read They will never
thrill and enthuss over it as over the
glorious stories of Bunker Hill, Treu-
ton and Yorktown, the splendid naval
achievements Of the second war with
Great Britain, the wonderful victory
Of jackson az New Orleans, and the
grand conflicts of the Civil War. They
will hang their heads in shame and
wolder why such things were per-
mitted to be.