The evening times., 1899-10-04
GuIIiyer and the LiIIiputians.

There is some fear and trembling in GER
tain quarters that Admiral Dewey will
take the advice of certain persons and
accept nomination to the Presidency.
II is rather amusing to observe the ways
III which this trepidation is expressed.
An article which recently appeared on
the editorial page of a Chicago newspaper,
ia regard to- this matter, is a fairly goo1
example of such expressions of opinion.
The writer first holds up as horrible exam
pies the various military gentlemen who
have in times past succumbed to political
ambition, and expresses the hope that
Dewey will not tread in this dangerous
path. He explains that il will be much
nobler and more heroic for the Admiral to
conquer himself and resist the tempta-
ton to ''let a lot of scatterbrains spoil a
good sailor to make a poor politician" 3"
He then goes on TO say that if the hero OF
Manila should happen TO yield to this a.
legged temptation, he would have to shuttle
truckIe and compromise. and probably
taste the disappointment which embittered
the life of Grant. 1t is quite a nice little
Sunday-school lesson just as it stands. and
will no doubt edify Admiral Dewey consid-
erably if his eyes chance 10 fall upon it.
The real reason for all this sort of thing
is, of course, that great many scheming
political gentlemen are desperately afraid
that Dewey may take it into his head to
mix in political affairs, and if he should
it would be something like the famous ad-
vent of Gulliyer among the Lilliputians.
But that is the Admiral's own affair, and
he is perfectly competent to decide what
he wants TO do in the matter. 1t is not
necessary for anyone to pour advice into
his ears. He knows perfectly well that the
American people are willing to make him
President if he will accept that honor, and
that nothing in the world would stand for
a minute against him should he care to
become a candidate. He is the one man in
public life today in whom all of his coun-
trymen, from the least to the greatest.
have confidence. His record is thus far
clear, not only of crimes, but of blunders
He has shown not only bravery and execu-
tive ability, but practical common sense
and lively sense of humor.
anything which may be offered him, just
as he sees fit.
But there is one thing which the public
in general, and these political quakers in
particular, ought to understand, and it is
for their benefit, not that of Dewey, that it
may be well to mention it, If Admiral
Dewey were to accept the nomination for
President it would not be in the least rec-
essary for him to truckle or compromise.
The people would pardon him anything
but that. He would not, as this shivering
prophet says, have to give up steering
straight, honest course" because that is
precisely what he would be expected to do,
and all that he would be asked to do. There
is nothing which would make him, or any
other President, more Overwhelmingly
popular than exactly such a course of
action. II a candidate with a reputation
for executive ability, straightforward, un-
compromising honesty, and possession
in the literal sense of the word-a man not
mortgaged TO any political or financial
syndicate-is nominated as our next Presi-
pie will do about it,. All that they will ask
of him will be to go on being honest and
straightforward, and show favor 10 nobody
The time has come for the cutting of
Gordian knots. The shifty ones know it,
and that is why they are shaking in their
shoes. They are afraid that Dewey win
make Use of the sword presented to him by
a grafeau lcountry, TO cut some of those
knots, and that all their schemes will there.
by be sent flying to the four corners of the