"HE AIN'T NO FRIEND."
Of course, the death of Aglipay became noised abroad. Indeed,
the Jesuit took no pains to keep it from being known, because he
felt that the death of the leader would have an important effect in
ending the schism. The death was a matter susceptible of proof from
the fact that the body was found, but that he was buried alive could
not be proven save from the participants in the tragedy, who were
not required to testify against themselves. Rumors as to the horrors
of the fate of Dr. Obispo Maximo spread through Manila and Luzon,
and aroused the people to a high pitch of indignation. In a sense,
it was for the time beneficial to the revolt, because hundreds now
flocked to Saguanaldo, bringing their own weapons and ammunition, and
every region through which he passed was eager to feed the soldiery,
so that opposition to the friars gained strong headway again. It became
impossible for the Americans to ignore the matter. In order to appease
the inhabitants of Manila, the three soldiers were arrested and placed
on trial, before a court martial, for killing a prisoner. They were
found guilty and ordered shot.
It was then that Violeta appeared before Judge Daft.
"You must pardon these men," he said.
"Must is a strong word," returned the Judge, flushing.
"The reasons behind it are strong," continued the Jesuit. "The
deed they did, while irregular, has simplified matters amazingly,
by removing the head and cause of the schism, so that they did you
an inestimable service. You can not afford to show ingratitude toward
what they did."
"But it was murder."
"Manslaughter, perhaps. America is at war, not only with Spain,
but also with this schisms, and all war is manslaughter. Rainey's
victory was manslaughter. Manslaughter among soldiers is not a crime."
"It seems to me you assume a great deal in saying that we are at war
with this schism."
"You will be, which is the same thing. The Aglipayans over all the
archipelago are in arms."
"Yes, and this deed precipitated it."
"Precipitated it, perhaps; that does not mean that was the cause of
the revolt. It was bound to come anyhow, and the sooner it comes the
cheaper it will be for America; the quicker you win, the greater your
reputation will be. The United States could not occupy the archipelago
and leave the Philippine republic intact, you know that."
Judge Daft thought in silence, pacing the floor. Then, seating himself
at his desk, he wrote:
"Commander of American Forces:
"Sir: Manslaughter in war is not a crime, though, if irregular,
may be an offense. You will place the slayers of Aglipay in the
guard house until you judge they have learned the lesson and until
discipline is conserved, then release them for service.--Benjamin
Daft, Governor."
News of this transaction did not set well with the people of
Manila. There was an old song sung in the island, and that night
clumps of stragglers paraded the streets, noisily singing to that
tune the improvised words:
He may be a brother of Governor Daft,
But he ain't no friend of mine. [18]