Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-02
APKOPOs TO DEWEY DAY.

In response to a joking question why
ne had not decorated with bunting in
honor of Dewey Day a we'll known gen
tleman of decidedly patriotic proclivi-
ties, remarked yesterday: While 1
hope l am as patriotic as at least the
average American citizen and honor
Admiral Dewey from the bottom of my
heart most sincerely as a great sailor,
a great patriot and splendid citizen
worthy of all honor and regard his vic
tory a year ago as the greatest of
naval history, yet l cannot separate in
my mind that glorious act from the
inglorious surrender of American prin-
ciples which it has since led to. sir,
on the part of our administration. |
have read the patriotic comments of
your paper on Dewey Day this morn
ing, and while l heartily join in their
spirit l must say that it were far bet
ter for this country and the American
people, sir if Dewey had kept out of
Manila bay, or, as your paper also re-
marked this morning, if after smashing
the Spaniards he had up steam and
sailed away content with finishing his
splendid job by sending the enemy's
ships to the bottom of the sea. l am
an opponent of Imperialism, sir 1t is
the most dangerous departure this
country ever made"
And the little group-meneof both po-
litical parties-of which the speaker
was the centre, applauded his words to
a man.
This is one incident Of many con-
stantly occurring showing the way the
popular wind blows.
When Dewey's electric name cannot
command enthusiasm for it, imperial
ism has little chance among the level
headed American people.
In this connection it is as well to
bear in mind that Admiral Dewey him
self, was opposed to the imperial policy
and that his policy of dealing with the
Filipinos on the basis of leaving them
ed by the government at Washington.
1t will be borne in mind that Dewey
in many ways recognized and was con-
siderate of the Filipino government,
which the imperial authorities at Wash
ington have since declined to recognize.
Had Dewey'S advice been taken, or
rather had his plain hints on the sub
ject been needed by the powers that be
at Washington, or had the honorable
policy which he inaugurated been fol-
lowed, we would to-day be at peace
and millions of treasure would have
been saved, while the United States
would have had in coaling and naval
stations all the advantages and none
of the expense, loss and worry of COM
plete ownership and control of the
Philippine archipelago.
How inconsistent is the policy of the
administration is shown by the words
of Dewey twice uttered in different re-
ports to Washington to the effect that
the Filipinos were more capable of self
government than the Cubans. Our
Inconsistent administration in obedi-
e1ice to Wall street, which controls it.
while proposing to give independent
government to the Cubans, who are not
fitted for it and whose island ought
to and sooner or later must be annexed
to the United States as a portion of
this continent, deny the similar right
to the Filipinos, who have a better
right to demand it, and decline to recog-
nize the Filipino government, which
is better established than was that of
the Cubans, declining to treat with
them unless they first abjectly yield