The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-03
DEWEY. MArrERsoN,s CHOICE.

DEWEY, MATTEHSON'S CHOICE.
Admiral Dewey is Hon. Henry Waiter
sons choice for President. in 1900, He
stated some time ago that ne believed that
the Democratic party could elect the next
President provided it would abandon the
silver issue and nominate Admiral
Dewey for that position. After spending
five weeks in Washington, and talking
with men from all parts of the country
and of all shades Of political belief, he
reiterates that opinion. 1t makes no diff
ference he says whether Dewey Is a
Democrat or not. Taylor was not a Wing
and Grant was not Republican
Mr. Watterson feels sure that Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines are with
us to stay. He has no doubt about that,
The treaty viii be ratified and the Mica
ragua canal will be built Isolation is i'm
possible. Expansion is bound to take
place. It is not in the power of any po-
ltical party TO prevent it. The fight of
the Nineteenth century is for liberty That
of the Twentieth century will be for the
markets of the world. If the Democratic
of the Chicago platform with an anti-ex-
,pansion plank added It will meet with a
far greater defeat than it did in 1896.
The foregoing is a very brief statement
of the views of Mr.. Watterson, formed af-
ter a very thorough study of the political
situation a the national capital Are they
valuable views? Are they views which
will command the attention of the leaders
of the Democratic party? 1t is certain
that the Democratic leaders in Congress
are not acting i'm accordance with them.
Now and then a leader like Mr.. Croker of
New York shows sympathy with them.
Mr.. Croker, who is in touch with the great
trade and moneyed interests of the coun-
try, looks at the political situation pretty
much as Mr.. Watterson does. Will these
two men, and other Democrats holding
like views, have much Influence in the
next national Democratic convention? 1t
would not be surprising if they should.
They voice the sentiments of many Demo-
Gratis who are not prominent In the coun-
ellis of their party, but who yield a pow
erfql political influence
Mr.. Watterson seems to think that the
South would be especially benefited by
the policy of expansion, which includes
the building of the Nicaragua canal The
reason he gives for this belief is that a
great market for cotton, the South's chief
product, would be found in the Philippines
and in the Far East. Possession of the
Philippines he regards as the door which
leads to the markets of China.
1t is TO be noted that Mr. Watterson
has nothing to say of the evil effects
which the policy of expansion would have
upon our institutions. He considers sim
ply the question of Democratic success
in the next national campaign. Appar-
emily it Is matter of no consequence
what becomes of the principles upon which
our institutions are founded. He does
not give those Democratic leaders who are
against extending our sovereignty over
the Philippines credit for patriotic mo-
tives-for a desire TO preserve the integrity
of our institutions. He does not think 1t
more important to save the country from
Imperialism than it Is to open to our
manufacturers new markets
Mr.. Watterson makes clear the lines
which will. in all probability, divide the
political forces in this country In the
very near future, and he is satisfied that
nothing can prevent the success of the
party which favors expansion except an
epidemic which would sweep into their
graves the great majority of our soldiers
in Cuba and the Philippines, and crop
failures which would bring our people to
the verge of poverty. In other words, he
thinks that calamity alone can beat the
party of expansion in 1900 Mr.. Waiter
son hasn't the reputation of being a po-
litical prophet, but there is no doubt that
he has the ability TO state his views force
fully and picturesquely.