The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-04-28
DEWEY AND THE PRESIDENCY
Great Naval Hero Has No Political Aspira
tions-Says Politics is q Profession.

offer. Prominently among these is Adj
miral George Dewey, the hero of Manila
Bay, and whether this sentiment is re-
suit of the great naval commanders SER
vices to the country or that he is quail
fed to guide the ship of state, matters
not, so IT as he is conc 9rned. Admiral
Dewey declared that he would not be
a candidate for the Presidency, and his
extreme modesty was never more ap-
parent than when he made that declara-
ton.
The first authentic interview with the
great naval hero regarding his political
inclinations was obtained recently by
Edwin Wildman, Especial CORES ondent
for LeSlie's Weekly. The result OF this
interview is given in Mr. Wildmans own
words:
l asked him If he objected to speaking
upon the subject that was interesting the
millions of people to whom his name was
household word-upon the subject of
his possible candidacy for the Presidency
in 1900.
mo, have no objections to talking
of that subject" the admiral replied"
''but, you see, they want to know
whether [ am Democrat or Republi-
can"
Then he read from paper an article
which advocated him for the Presidency,
but ended with the remark that perhaps
it would be we'll to find out whether
Dewey is a Republican or Democrat be-
fore nominating him. The admiral
laughed heartily, for the point was well
taken.
"And which, then, are your" l said.
Dewey looked at me a moment and
smiled.
"Well, you see, am sailor. A
sailor has no politics. The administra-
ton is his party: and Republican or
Democratic, it makes no difference.
Then again, come from Vermont, and
you know what that means To be any,
thing but Republican in Vermont is to
be man without a party. MY flag
lieutenant comes from Georgia. He tells
me that to be anything but Democrat
in the South Is to be nobody If |
lived South [ would probably be Demo
GRAFT"
''Have you ever voted?" I asked
eyes, years ago; but my vote was
usually influenced by personal preference
or local conditions. | am not poll
tician, have never held political office,
and am totally ignorant of party intrica-
cies and affiliations.
81 understand Senator Proctor SAYS
Vermont will propose you for the Presi-
dency," | continued.
sis that so? How do you know" the
admiral questioned me. l then read him
an article referring to an interview to
that effect. Had Senator Proctor
reason to think you would accept such
a nomination." l said.
THE Senator is an DID, stanch friend
of mine. have known him all my life.
He has written me on this subject.
Others have asked permission to use my
name. Don't you think it would be pre-
sumptuous to accept nomination before
it is offered-perhaps it would be equally
previous to reject it?"
"But the newspapers are associating
your name with the office, and every one
is anxious to know your sentiments l
persisted.
THE administration is IN good hands
strong tried, and able hands | do
not desire to see any change. When |
go home | hope to spend the remainder
of my days in peace and rest. am get.
ting to be an old man. | desire no DO
litical preferment. am not ungrateful
no, am deeply grateful to the Ameri-
can people. / am not insensible to their
kindness. | reverence their loyalty, and
prize above all things their admiration
and commentator, but [ am not and
will not become a public mana poll
tician."
do you think a man whose life has
been spent in. the army or navy suited to
the Presidency
'The army is a profession, the navy is
a profession, politics is another. l am
too old to learn new profession. Per-
haps, if there is such sentiment afoot
should better stay out here"
No man, however strong in his pur-
pose. can throw the thought of such a
possibility over his shoulder lightly. Nor
did Admiral Dewey. He discussed it
gravely and seriously. He dwelt upon
the great responsibilities of the office, the
necessity of life's training to equip the
most able of men to occupy such an ex-
allied and arduous Office. And, finally,
he said that neither by vocation, DISPOSE
ton. education, or training was he capaci-
tated to fill such position. He sal
that he was too well along in life to con-
slider such a possibility His health would
not admit it. All his life's work was in
different lines of effort, and that. while
the kindness and enthusiasm of his friends
were grateful to him, and the generous
tributes of the American people were
AOdI W MN, lO OOuANA LOl ll1O WOulu nOl
be candidate for the Presidency of the
United States under any conditions
make this statement with the full con-
sent and on the authority of Admiral
Dewey. eff there is such tide of senti-
ment it must stemmed," the Admiral
concluded.
Whether this interview will stem the
tide or not it is not within my province
to contemplate. | believe, though, that
what Admiral Dewey said to me was
with all sincerity. That he does not be-
lieve himself suited for such preferment.
nor is he DESTROYS to enter into the battle
of politics. | think politics and politicians
are distasteful to him, and while he ad-
mires simplicity, honesty and manhood
in all calllngs, he would not condemn or
criticise any class or community as a
whole. He prefers to let the people fight
their battles at the polls He disclaims
all credit as an administrator, and said
that while Manila was in his power from
the 1st of May until the troops arrived,
he simply acted upon his best Judgment,
and not with the trained skill of an adj
ministrator
Admiral Dewey is truly great man,
a lover of truth, simplicity, straightfor-
wardness, and discipline. 81 am too
honest man to be great administra-
for - he said 70 me. HDOn't misunder-