The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-07
HuMrL1Ar1oN FOE pEwFv.


Admiral Dewey for the first time in
his life takes the field too late But it
is evidently not of his own choosing,
and only a feeling of sorrow comes to-
the hearts of the American people be-
cause the great admiral should be made
a lamb for the slaughter by certain de-
signing eastern politicians. His serv-
ices at Manila certainly entitle him to
a better fate than that Of football on
the political gridiron.
No one can dispute Dewey the right
to become a presidential candidate if
he so desire. Roosevelt rode into po~
liticaI prominence through certain
achievements around Santiago. there
fore the naval hero Of the Spanish
American war cannot be denied the
same privilege.
But is it a wise move? Prior to this
presidential announcement George
Dewey was the greatest living Ameri-
can and foremost citizen of the repub-
lie. He had won such a degree of fame
and was so enshrined in the hearts of
his countrymen that it was difficult to
see what more honor could be gained
The bay wreath crowned his brow.
Why should it now be torn and
trampled in the dust?
There is no indication today-nor has
there been any-of a great popular de-
mand for Admiral Dewey's election to
the chief magistracy. The people had
given him mansion at the nations
capital as a mark of grateful homage,
where he was expected to round out a
noble life in. peace and contentment.
While Dewey proclaims himself a
Democrat, there is little reason to be-
lieve that party will nominate him as
their presidential candidate. In fact,
expressions from a majority of the
prominent politicians in both Republic
can and Democratic parties have set
tied the matter.
1t is as certain as anything can be in
the future that Mr.. Mckinley will be
renominated by the Republicans and
Mr.. Bryan by the regular Democrats
and Populists. Even Vermont, the
home state of the admiral, wants the
Nebraska man. So what is there left?
Only the few husks the Gold Democrats
may have to offer. The hero of Manila
should not be made to suffer the humili-
alton that befen Palmer and Buckner.
There is an old saw that when "a
man nlarries his troubles Begin Never
has this been illustrated so aptly as in
Admiral Dewey's case Few citizens of
this country but think the designs
of an ambitious and scheming woman
| assisted by a few similarly constituted
/ politicians brought the aged warrior in
| to a trap which at all hazards should
! have been avoided.
Dewey is not politician He is the
greatest naval commander of his day.
He has earned that niche in history. He
is not fitted for the presidency. He
truly said so himself His training has
been ia different lines.
Nothing could convince the public so
clearly and so emphatically that Dewey
was originally right on this proposition
as the statement he himself made this
week that he thought the Office of presi-
dent an easy one to fill; that there was
little to do except to execute the laws
Of congress; and that he believed that
he could execute these congressional or
ders as he had all his life executed the
orders Of his superiors.
The high Office of president has other
duties. Great emergencies are sure tc
| come, and do come, to some presidents
The magistrate of this nation must Their
act without congressional orders and
often times without precedent. The life
VI the welfare OF the uallOn nlnSe or
what the president does at these import
ant times. The greatest act in Dewey's
own life was a feat which he perform,
ed largely upon his own responsibility
He was equal to the emergency. All his
life he had been trained up to just such
a crisis and he met it. Dewey but g
short time ago said he was not fitted
for the presidency; he spoke truly. Why
| did ne change his mind or permit am
bilious others to change it for him
The sorrow of it far overshadows thai
unfortunate incident when he decided X
another, however dear she may be, the
home given Dewey by a loving people
Let the curtain be rung down quickly
on this last and only blunder of fighter
and not a politician.