Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-06-21
Admiral Dewey Not in the Weld

Admiral Dewey Not in the Field.
Admiral Dewey has again upset the call
culations Of not a few politicians by an
nOuncing his conclusion that he is no lon
ger factor in the presidential race or in
connection with the presidential
contest. Upon his return to Washington
from his trip to the Northwest, lie talk
ed frankly and freely with the newspaper
men in Washington. He admitted that he
was not politician and said that he mad
been asked 10y various political leader. to
allow the use of his name in connection
with the presidency. and that after hold
ing the matter under consideration for
ness to serve in that capacity if the people
wanted him. He added that he had de-
clined to make formal announcement Of
his decision not to accept a nomination for
second place on the democratic ticket, on
the ground that the honor had not been
rendered to him.
- That Admiral Dewey has ceased to re-
gard himself as a presidential candidate
is evident from the freedom with which
he discusses national and political issues
as compared with his recent extreme rcti-
cence. While not posing as a political
prophet he predicts that w j. Bryan will
fail to secure an election at the hands of
certainly not have made if he had expect
ed to be a possible candidate for second
place on the Bryan ticket.
Admiral Dewey is somewhat familiar
with the conditions prevailing in China
during the past few years and ne is free
to say that he regards the present situa.
ton as serious indeed. lie sees but one
outcome as a result of the conflict now in
progress in the Fiowery Kingdom, and
that is the adoption of the open door pol
icy for American goods on equal terms
with all the other commercial powers of
the world 1t is for the American nation
to say to the nations of the world that we
are IN this deal. a position which would
have been Impossible but for the results
of our war with Spain. lie thinks Provi-
dence has been working in our cause, and
points to the presence of our large army
of men and a formidable fleet of ships
right ON the spot for the enforcement of
our demands. He thinks we must retain
possession of the Philippine Islands, and
build up an enormous commerce in the
Far East Ii Admiral Dewey is correctly
quoted, therefore, he is am ardent expan-
sionist.
But while the hero of Manila has ceas-
ed to regard himself as a presidential
probability, he is certain of one comfort
ing thought and that is that he has the
love and affection of the American peo-
pie. No one will question this statement
for the demonstrations on the part of the
people wherever he has travelled in this
country have proved conclusivey that lac
is still a popular idol. Admiral Dewey is
not the first man to win world wide fame
in war only to be drawn into the mael-
strom of politics. as the admirers of the
late Gen. Grant have reason to remem-
Der, but he has been fortunate in realizing
his situation before the politicians hac
done their work with him. He has gone
just far enough to justify his fervent
thanks TO God because the people did not
appear TO want him to be President.
Admiral Deweys host Of friends ant
admirers in Vermont and elsewhere, who
regretted TO see him descend from the pc
destal to which he had been raised il
popular esteem for the purpose of engag
ing in presidential politics will rejoice ovo1
the assurances that he no longer aspirel
to any position in the gift of the nationa
convention of the democracy or of an!
other party. As the hero Of Manila alone
he is sure of an abiding place in the low
and esteem of the American people anC
it is to he hoped that he may never agai:
be lured from his proud place by the fas
cinating glamour of politics.