Evening star., 1899-04-10
DEWEY NOT A CANDIDATE.
SAWS He Would Not Accept NOmina-
fDr

Admiral Dewey has given to the Manila
correspondent of Leslie's Weekly inter-
view regarding the suggestion that the ad-
miral be made a candidate for the presi-
dency next year. Lesl!e's correspondent
says:
After talking of the previous days ex-
perience of the war, and Of minor mat
ters asked Dewey if he objected to speak
upon the subject that was interesting the
millions of people to whom his name was
"a household word-upon the subject of his
possible candidacy for the presidency OF
1880
"'No, l have no objection to talking Of
that subject, but, you see, they want TO
know whether l am d democrat or re-
publican.
And which, then, are you? 1 said.
Dewey looked at me for moment ana
smiled.
"'Well, you see am sailor. A sailor
has no politics. The administration is his
party, and, republican or democratic, 1t
makes no difference. Then, again, l come
from Vermont, and you know what that
means. To be anything but a republican in
Vermont is to be a man without a party.
My flag lieutenant comes from Georgia.
He tells me that to be anything but demo-
crat in the south is to be a nobody. If l
lived south L would probably be a demo-
Crat.'
Have you ever voted :! l asked.
Yes. years ago; but my vote was usual
}y influenced by personal preference or
local conditions l am not a politician, have
never held political office, and am totally
ignorant Of party intricacies and attilia-
tons
- I understand Senator Proctor says Fer-
mont will propose you for the presidency
l continued.
Is that so? How DO you know? the
admiral questioned me.
Il then read him article referring to
an interview to that effect. Had Senator
Proctor reason to think you would accept
such a nomination" | said.
The senator is an old, stanch friend of
mine the admiral replied i have known
him all my life. He has written me on
this subject. Others have asked perInis
sion to my name. Don't You think it
would be presumptuous to accept nomina
ton before it is offered-perhaps it would
be equally previous to reject it?'
But l hadn't received an unequivocal an
swer yet, 50 ! again referred to the question
of presidential candidate An entire half
hour the admiral talked on this subject. L
will not quote his words. 1t is too momen-
tous question to dispose of in few SEN
tences. No man, however strong in his pur-
pose, can throw the thought of such a pos
sibiity over his shoulder lightly Nor did
Admiral Dewey. He discussed it gravely
and seriously He dwelt upon the great re-
sponsibilties of the office the necessity of
a life's training to equip the most able of
men to occupy such an exalted and ardu-
Gus Office. And, finally, he said that neither
by vocation, disposition, education or train
ing was he capacitated to fill such a posi-
ton. He said that he was too well along
in life to consider such a possibility. His
health would not admit it. All his life's
work was in different lines of effort. and
that while the kindness and enthusiasm of
his friends We're grateful to him, and the
generous tributes of the American people
were dear to him, he could not and would
not be a candidate for the presidency of
the United States under any conditions. 1
make this statement with the full consent
and on the authority of Admiral Dewey.
If there is such a tide of sentiment, it
must be stemmed,' the admiral concluded