Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-01-13
WHAT THINK YOUP

Col. Watterson, of the Louisville C0uyISr
Journal, one Of the boldest, most vigorous
aud aggressive thinkers and journalists of
the country, at the same time, with as much
of political sagacity and experience as any
of our modern writer's, has very recently
offered a suggestion In relation TO the presi
dental nomination for 1900, which has re-
verberated throughout the whole country
and awakened perfect storm OF favorable
criticism.
The Colonel's proposition is that the
Democratic ticket and platform for 1900
should be Admiral George Dewey, OF Yer.
mont, for President, and General FItzhugh
Lee, of Virginia, for Vice President, TO run
on the platform: "The Stars and Stripes /;
God bless them"
Colonel Watterson never writes without
thinkiDg, he never gives 10 the public
single utterance unless be has carefully con-
sidered all the attendant circumstances, and
while thousands Of old politicians may wrig-
gle and twist, and thousands of young poll
ticians may smile at his suggestion, there are
many thoughtful people 10 this country who
will appreciate the fact that such ticket on
such platform might run like wild6re on
prairie and sweep the country 10 the next
national battle. There Is nothing now 70
Indicate that such ticket would be wanted,
but the presidential nominations are year
aud a-half distant, and We make history 90
fast these days that none can forecast the
political situation in this country In the
midsummer OF 1900.
Admiral Dewey 10 TO day the most revered
and beloved hero produced by any OF our
recent wars with the single exception Of
Gen. Zack. Taylor, who was made Presl-
dent because he whipped Santa Anna at
Beuns Vista, where he fought Mexican
army four times the number OF his own and
routed its horse, foot and drsgoon. Like
Dewey, he WIS II silent man on political and
public affairs, and that endeared him to the
masses of the people. He was nominated
and elected President without having had
any part in il or knowing how or why II
was done, and the official notification of his
nomination by the Wing national conven.
ton was not received by him because the
postage was unpaid. At that time the pre-.
payment OF postage was not obligatory and
every political crank In the country was
writing to Taylor and he turned back to the
dead-letter Office all letters which taxed him
with postage.
The Philadelphia Times, one of the great
leading Democratic journals Of the Key
stone State Of the Federal arch, IN recent
editorial upon the suggestion Of Col. Wat
terson, says:
al, is quite possible that the political con
ditions OF 1900 might mako Admiral Dewey
not only very formidable candidate Tor
President but an omnipotent one. aud he
could have no better running mate than Fitz
hugh Lee. We are just upon the threshold
of political dsputation rs to the manage.
ment of our newly.acquired possessions. II
the Mckinley administration shall be sue.
cessiul in ruling the Spanish territories we
have acquired, and In demonstrating that
they will be an advantage rather than a
curse to US, and the present business pros.
perity Of the country shall continue, no po
litical combination can prevent McKinley's
reelection but If dissatisfaction shall pre-
vail by the gathering of the fruits OF the
war, the presidential field would open the
way Tor just such ticket as Dewey aud Lee.
an the present political confusion Il might
be very wise for an opposition party to &C.
cept Colonel Wattersons platform-"The
Stars and Stripes, God bless them" That
means everything that lie American aud II
means nothing as to the cardinal doctrines
of party faith
"The Wings elected two Presidents dur.
ing the existence OF that party aud had three
candidates defeated, and the only times that
they were successful was when their na.
tional conventions adopted no platforms at
all. The Harrisburg convention that nom
mated Harrison and Tyler 10 December,
1899, and the Philadelphia convention that
nominated Taylor and Fillmore. 10 ls4S,
adopted no platform, gave M expression |
whatever on national Issues, aud their nomi-
nees were the only ones elected BY the Wing
'srty in its entire history"