The times., 1899-09-29
Leave 1T to Dewey.

1<CAft Z n ~
One of the things that strikes the world
at large. as well as the people of the United
States, in connection with the national
triumph accorded by the combined action
of the American Government and populace
to Admiral Dewey is that the enthusiasm
over the hero of Manila is UNIVERSAL A
great country, as to its domestic policies,
rent with political and economic strifes, is
one in glorifying its great sea commander,
not for himself SO much as for what he has
done.
The national ovation to Dewey is a recog-
milton at once OF the mighty change his
capture Of the Philippines has wrought in
the position of America among the powers
and of the bravery and military genius he
displayed in effecting it, as well as of the
high diplomacy and administrative talents
he developed during the crucial thirteen
months he was practically prisoner to
duty on board the Olympia in Manila
Harbor.
Men of all shades of opinion in the
Union have believed and do believe in
Dewey. All have been from the beginning
convinced that his view of the facts and
ethics of the situation in the far East
must be the correct one. 1t is today pat
ent that if the Admiral were to recite
the history of our attack upon the Span
ish feet; of the weary blockade before the
troops came to occupy Manila; of the ar
rangements with the Tagal leaders to as
sist in establishing our flag and soEer-
eighty; of the outbreak of hostilities, and
the plot of arson and massacre which ac-
eompanied it; and were to propose policy
and programme based on knowledge, ex-
perienee, and his conclusions from them,
the American people would accept the
same as gospel, and a dissident voice
would not be heard, because an over
wheIming public opinion would drown it.
II is plain that there is one man who has
the whole nations confidence Nowhere
is there the suspicion Of carping criticism
of the honors paid the great Admiral. No
where is there seen the least evidence that
people of every class. of every kind of po-
IitieaI tendency. or afiiliation, of every
sort Of doctrine idea, or political concep-
tion. would not accept his judgment on our
rights and duties in the Philippine Islands
as finalityi
Then why not by common consent make
him the umpire of the question? Why
should not the settlement of the difference
which exists between expansionists and
expansionists be left to him and his
decision accepted by all citizens, whether
they belong TO the elements honestly differ
ing on American policy, or to the small
subdivision of provincials, malcontents,
sedltionists, and lunatics?
The anti-expansionists have persistently
claimed Dewey as of their cult. The ex-
pansionists have confidently believed him
incapable Of opinions dishonorable to his
flag and country, without stopping to en-
quire into particulars. The latter at least
would be willing to accept his doctrine as
that of the highest authority on the sub
ject of our sovereignty and destiny in the
Philippine archipelago. and act accord
ingly why win not the former do as
much?
Why would it not be grand thing to
delegate to the commander who brought us
this rich empire, and whose single minded
patriotism and love of humanity cannot be
questioned, the arbitration of the question
Of expansion as it now divides, not parties,
for both are more or less divided in the
connection. but individual American opin-
ion? Why not leave the matter to Ad-
miraI Dewey and take it out of politics?