Washington sentinel., 1899-10-07

President Mckinley would nc
doubt be charmed to have Admiral
Dewey accompany him on his
Western trip and arouse enthusi-
asm among Republicans who are
looking askant at the Administra-
tion's policy of imperialism. But
the Admiral is too wise a man and
has too keen a sense OF the propri-
cites to permit himself to be used
as a vote getter for a political
party. The Admiral occupies a
peculiarly pleasant position so far
as his relations with his fellow
Americans are concerned. He is
not a partisan or a politician,
neither Republican nor a Demo-
crat. but an American whom all
Americans delight to honor. He
belongs to branch of the Gov
ernment service in which there is
no politics, except upon the rarest
occasions, when Navy Department
officials display unwarranted fav-
oritism. The situation would
change very quickly if Admiral
Dewey should attach himse to
the politicians and should, even
indirectly, seek to influence voters
in behalf OF the candidates of either
party. He would no longer be the
idol OF all the people, but would
be the representative Of faction.
For this reason the Admiral, who
is as shrewd as he is brave, should
refuse to be drawn into party poll
tics, preferring to be the friend Of
all political organizations rather
than the champion oi one of them.
The honors which the Admiral
won so gloriouslv and wears so be-
comingly were not bestowed upon
upon him by political faction. but
were the spontaneous tribute OF all
parties. He owes no debt Of graf
itude to the Republican party tor
the distinction conferred upon him
that he does not owe in equal meas
ure to he Democratic party. He
could not with propriety, therefore,
lend his assistance to one party at
the expense OF another, without
detracting from his dignity and the
fine sense OF justice which should
characterize his attitude toward
the American people. 1t would be
a severe shock to the AdmiraPs
innumerable admirers il he should
descend from his present proud
position to be used as vote getter
BY politicians. The idol would be
shattered, and instead oi being the
object OF universal esteem and re-
spect Admiral Dewey would fall
to the level Of that most common
place OF Americans, the practical
politician" trading upon his pop .
ularItY to gain votes for the Ad-
ministration.
Ohio politicians are never iet-
tered by considerations Of pro-
priety. II votes could be made in
that way they would parade Ad-
miral Dewey throughout the State
with brass band accompaniment.
They would claim that the victory
at Manila was a Republican trI'
umph, and thatIfit were not for a
high tariff and other Republican
Legislation the Spaniards would
have sent the Olympia and all the
rest OF the American ships to the
bottom of Manila bay. That is the
Ohio politicians way, but it is not
Admiral Dewey's. II he should
be urged to accompany President
Mckinley on his Western trip-a
trip notoriouslY in the interest oi
the Republican party he will
know how to decline so question
able an honor. The Admiral needs
rest and he should have it. When
the politicians endeavorto draw him
int o a campaign as "spell-binder'
for any political party, he can pleac
fatigue. He is too discreet mar
to forfeit the regard Of any OF hi.
fellow citizens merely to swell the
Republican majority in Ohio
The man who caught the Span.
iards Mapping at Manila. is no
likely to be caught mapping in turr
by Ohio politicians. although thei
are phenomenally adroit persons