The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-02
WEDNESDAY. MAY 2. 1900.
Dewey in Chicago.

Dewey in Chicago.
The unlimited enthusiasm which marke
the greeting of Admiral Dewey by tn
in Chicago yesterday, on the second ami
versary of the Battle of Manila, is sufflcien
evidence of the hold which that simple
Straightforward sailor has on the hearts o
his eountrymen. 1t is evidence, also. tina
the efforts of the Hanna machine during
the past few months TO loosen that hold
in underhand and dubious ways, have ut
terly failed. Dewey is as much a popular
favorite today as ever he was; and he de-
serves 10 be. A more honest and open man
never walked tie quarterback, damned the
torpedoes like Farragut, or said, You may
fire. Gridley, whenever you are ready"
No one need ask better proof of the Ad-
miral's status before the people than is
contained in the painful efforts of Repub-
lican newspapers TO belittle the effects of
his journey through the West and South.
The chief metropolis OF the trans-Alle-
ghany country goes wild over him. Ban
ners hailing him as cur next President
are stretched across the streets of the
Windy City; two hundred thousand coun-
try patriots rush in from the neighboring
counties and States to see the great and
loved little man, Yet. if We were to be-
lieve the Administration organs, the event
is disappointment and a deadly frost
They unite in swearing that few strangers
were in Chicago, that those who were there
came in response to green goods cir
cuiars. and that the crowds were apathetic
and cherries.
1t is far from our intention to blame the
Republican press or party managers for
this attempt to minimize grave menace
10 their hopes. But they cannot indulge in
1t without exposing the truth of their
precarious situation 10 the country. The
masses everywhere are impressed with
the fact that it is the Republican, and not
the Democratic party which is perturbed
by the appearance of Admiral Dewey in
the field of national politics.
The reason why this should be is not far
to seek. As The Times ventured to predict
on the first announcement of the Dewey
Presidential postulancy, it has become an
Administration nightmare. 1t has rendered
impossible any reliable calculation of pos
sibilities or of expense in doubtful or even
formerly certain States. Ii has not wor
ried the Democratic organization in the
smallest degree. Nothing, humanity speak
ing could be more certain than the nomi-
nation of the Hon. William ]. Bryan at
the Kansas City Convention, in July. On
the other side, nothing. but death or
Hanna, could interfere with the nominal
ton of the Hon. William Mckinley at
Philadelphia in June. Sc far the. honors
ere even. but when the Dewey factor is
introduced into the equation, the evenness
disappears.
In the event that the Admiral should be
induced to bolt the party to which he de-
ciares his allegiance, he would still be a
naval hero in the eyes of every American.
He would not be execrated by Democrats |
as Cleveland was. and is. for the same ac
tion. The masses would call it case of
Jack ashore and keep on liking him just |
the same. Suppose he should decide to set |
up housekeeping for himself as an indie
pendent Presidential candidate: what
would be the effect of that? This is a
question not hard to answer. and one that
is causing more grief at trust headquarters
than anything else in sight.
There is small and dwindling coterie OF
alleged ex-Democrsts who would vote for
the Admiral because they are unwilling to
vote for Mr. Bryan. They counted for one
hundred and thirty-three thousand votes
in 1896 for Palmer and Buckner Since
then many Of them have died. Their ranks
have received no accessions They could
not hope to muster more than half their old
vote this year. But against the impossi-
bility OF any Democratic detection i'm
portant enough to change the result in a
single State, we NAV set over huge and
growing element in the Republican party
which believes in justice and the Consti-
tuition. and which could not be humbugged,
bribed. or buIlied into voting for William
Mckinley the candidate of the trusts.
From that element it is reasonably certain
that on an Independent ticket, Admiral
Dewey would draw enough strength 10
make Mr. Bryans election possible.
While we do not believe in sacrificing
principle or plain duty" to expediency, it
must be said that. from the latter point OF
view. no better thing could happen TO the
Democratic party thar to have Admiral
Dewey run as an independent candidate for
the Presidency. That Mr.. Hanna. Mr..
apd the remainder of the Ad-
syndicate completely agree
with this view is clearly demonstrated in
the attitude OF their press toward the GAL
liant sea fighter, who won an empire for
his country between sunrise and luncheon
m Nav Nav 1898