- Oct 2024
-
www.britannica.com www.britannica.com
-
After three years of costly fighting, the insurrection was finally brought to an end when, in a daring operation on March 23, 1901, led by Gen. Frederick Funston, Aguinaldo was captured in his secret headquarters at Palanan in northern Luzon. Aguinaldo took an oath of allegiance to the United States, was granted a pension from the U.S. government, and retired to private life.
With the overwhelming forces of the United States, it's reasonable for Aguinaldo to surrender by taking an oath of allegiance to his captors. From the start until the end of the insurrection, Aguinaldo was courageous to serve his motherland. Although this may seem he's surrendering the country and his honor also, this was a courageous act for honor's sake. Aguinaldo admits that the United States overwhelmed them, and to continue fighting will only lead to more lives lost to a losing battle. Aguinaldo's courageous act to preserve his men is courage in itself and an honor to their lives. He knew the condemnations he will receive, yet to courageously act in fear of them is not honoring what could've been lost and a courageous act to begin with.
For although brave men are passionate, nevertheless they choose courageous acts (in part) for honor's sake, knowing the perils which lie ahead (Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics, book 3).
-
By the morning of February 5 the Filipinos, who had fought bravely, had been defeated at all points. While the fighting was in progress, Aguinaldo issued a proclamation of war against the United States, which immediately sent reinforcements to the Philippines. The Filipino government fled northward. In November 1899 the Filipinos resorted to guerrilla warfare.
The "courage" of the citizen-soldier, who faces danger because he is ashamed of the reproach of his peers and wants to win honor (Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics).
Aguinaldo demonstrated the courage of a citizen-soldier by facing a superpower, United States, to avoid the shame of being a subject of it. Due to the firepower of the United States, the Filipino government, led by Aguinaldo, had to flee northward and resort to guerrilla warfare. This course of action was not a cowardly one but a wise decision to keep their numbers and prepare to fight the Americans through guerilla warfare.
At times courageous soldiers do not stand their post but withdraw to attack later, as the Spartans at Platea (Plato, Laches, 191c).
-
Aguinaldo's leadership in the insurrection from start to his surrender was a demonstration of moral courage. He fought for the nation's independence from both Spain and United States, even though he lost to the latter. His passion for the country motivated him to lead the fight. And by surrendering, he demonstrated his honor to the lives of the men who would've been lost if they kept fighting. This is a demonstration of moral courage which our modern leaders should learn from. Leaders, even with passionate intentions, must lead his followers with courage to honor the efforts they've given. To surrender when it's outright impossible to accomplish is not a foolish decision, but a courageous act to honor what could've been lost.
-