CHAPTER XXII

TWO TYPES OF PATRIOTS

Mabini and Paterno the Representatives-The Former
Deported for a Time-The Latter Seeking Reform by
Evolution-Advice to a Leader of Ladrones-Mod-
esty of a Filipino Trained in Europe.

WITH

ITH the capture of Aguinaldo the American Government found it had to deal with two classes of patriots: those who were loyal to the "Lost Cause," and those who, by profession at least, were delighted that the insurgents had lost their cause. The one contented itself with holding secret meetings and placing responsibility for the failure of the insurgents upon this or that leader, and the other stood in front of the desks of the officials, with hat in hand, ready to receive any cocoanuts or bananas that might be falling that day. It is true that certain followers of the silent class tried to bring about by brigandage what their leaders had lost by insurrection, and the charge is made that some of the amigos were secret instigators of open brigandage.

Reference has been made already to the statement current in the Philippines that Apolinario Mabini, and not Emilio Aguinaldo, was the "Brains of the Revolution" against the Americans. Mabini refused to take the oath of allegiance after the crushing of the insur

ATTITUDE OF MABINI

221

rection, and was sent to Guam, where he remained until 1903, when he landed in the Philippines, having at last taken the customary oath. Shortly after his arrival in Manila he died from cholera, and was followed to his grave by a great procession of men whom, because of his chronic infirmity-paralysis-he had never seen on the battle-field.

The true attitude of Mabini toward the American Government, after he acknowledged its authority over him, may be gathered from a letter which he sent to one San Miguel, a bandit, who professed to be the appointee of a junta representing the Filipino Republic. San Miguel drew his forces from the purlieus of Manila and from well-known ladrone fields and other criminals to be found in the towns and provinces which were disturbed by his marauding bands. In one of the engagements with the Constabulary and Scouts more than sixty ladrones were killed, among them their leader, San Miguel. Upon the latter's body was found the visiting card of Mabini, who had written the bandit in response to his request for advice, that he had not been long enough in the islands to answer, but that he would write him a letter. Mabini's card was sent to Governor Taft, and forwarded by him to Señor Pedro Alejandro Paterno, to whom reference will be made later in this chapter; the Governor expressed surprise that so soon after taking the oath of allegiance Mabini should open communication with men in arms against the Government.

The following is the letter which Mabini had sent to San Miguel on March 27, 1903, but which did not reach him before his death:

"Since you ask me my opinion concerning your action,

I will clearly inform you in accordance with my method of thinking.

"I do not consider that the liberty enjoyed to-day in this archipelago can be followed by independence through means of arms at the present time. The people do not move because they have no arms, and even if they had them they would have nothing to eat. Although you might find another nation that would like to furnish arms and supplies, this nation also would like to annex this territory, and if this should happen our misfortune would be still greater.

"If we should proceed gradually, as, in fact, you are doing, the war would continue and possibly our nation never would enjoy prosperity, because the war would finally turn into a poisonous disease which would greatly increase our weakness. Understand well that we are now killing each other.

"It seems to me that at the present time we should endeavor to secure independence through the paths of peace. Let us cease that the people may rest, that it may work to recover from its recent proprietary losses. Let us conform to the opinion of the majority, although we may recognize that by this method we do not obtain our desires. This is, I believe, the surest and most fit method in obtaining the welfare of all.

"Let us deliberate and hold an assembly to treat of these matters. In case you are in conformity with this and return to peace, determine upon the necessary conditions that you should ask in order to save yourselves from any vexations, and if you think that I should transmit your petition to the constituted authorities I am disposed to comply at any time.