The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-29
A PLEA FOR AGuINALDo.
Time to Quit Gloating Over That
Gentleman's Misfortunes.

Gentleman's Misfortunes.
From the Manila Times.
| Is 1t not just about time, if the slang
phrase may be pardoned, to ring OFF,
on this constant making mock of
Aguinaldo and holding his name up to
ridicule and laughter? Surely we are
not such u puny people as to take de-
light in growing over and humiliatlng
fallen and vanqushed enemy! Surely
we can afford to leave AguinaldO with
| his own humiliation and refrain from
| intruding our jibes and scores upon
his solitude! Surely we have taunt-
cd and tormented him long enough!
Surely there is no joy in again bruis-
| ing the broken reed! If we have not
the maniness and consideration to rec
| ognize such virtues as he possesses, let
us a. least call halt to this perennial
rarading OF his shortcomings and
weaknesses. AS nation, we have not
been given to such littleness; and it Ill
| becomes us to bemean ourselves to ii
now. Even the felon who lies in a
| rnurderer's cell is accorded some meas
ure of pity! Even the hound disdans
to wound and worry it's helpless quarry!
| And what great sin has Aguinaldo
CoiIliHlllSl! Ills TeCOEu, us IcCOIuS 30
in these islands, is Il clean one. Even
his worst enemies, those who have torn
his reputation to tatters, pilloried and
pelted his character, and glee'd and
gloated over his downfall and misfor-
tunes, can point to but one dark blot
the Luna assassination-and even his
implication in that is cloudy. Then in
the balance with this let us place that
incident of the coup which led to his
capture, when, hearing that several
American prisoners were being brought
in triumph before him, he ordered that
they be taken to the nearest United
States army post, set at liberty, and
each given fifty pesos.
But it is not the Luna assassination
which seems to be the prime cause for
the ridicule or condemnation poured
upon him by his detractors. 1t appears
that something in the way Of contrast
between his former high estate and his
present degradation gives the motive
for jest. But surely Aguinaldo, humble
and disesteelned. has tended to redeem.
If redemption be necessary, ASuinaldo
haloed and triumphant. Since his re-
tirement and seclusion, the fallen hero
of a fallen republic has maintained
himself in manner which must COM
mand respect. Bitter as must be the
reflections and experience of his pres
ent life, he has yet preserved calm
ness and dignity foreign to many in
like place--a calmness and dignity as
becoming as ever his glory and great
ness. Where one would expect q rail-
ing at fate and eXecration at fortune,
he finds an equaninity and resignation
which compel sympathy and enforce
respect. Just night or two ago, when
pressed once mora to eXhume some of
the interesting but evil-smelling skele-
tons of the insurrection days, he re-
piled with dignity: ~ do not care to
talk about those Things which are past"
Have we eulogized Aguinaldo too
much? Perhaps we have. But when
we See this constantly contemplate
splitting Of ridiCule and abuse upon his
name, we cannot help the expression of
q feeling Of protest and disdain. Sure
ly we can now bear to leave the fallen
leader alone in the valley Of the sha-
dow of his humiliation, and not on any
and every occasion lead him forth to
make spectacle for the thouEhtless
and ieering multitude. We have surely
outgrown such pitiable rejoicing as
came from the Roman triumphs ana
the days OF the Philistnes, and can
forego the gloatngs which belong only
to the ignoble victor!