New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-08
DEWEY 4 DEMOCRAT.

People who feared that Admiral Dewey polit-
ical principles Were like Zachary Taylor's may
be treasured by the Admrars own declaration
that he is and always has been a Democrat.
General TaylOr's primary principle was oppo-
sition Andrew Jackson and, having found
party which years before had opposed Jackson,
he ready 10 adopt It's ideas on more practi-
cal matters of craftsmanship But Admiral
Dewey did not have to found his platform on
opposition to President Mckinley as a prospec-
tive rival and nil in planks TO suit the party
against the President. He already a Dem
ocrat. and always had been. though il must be
confessed he was somewhat slow to it,
perhaps ont of consideration for the Republi-
cans who had Joined in receiving him a
National hero. and who might cOnceivably be
disappointed if he did not give them at the
launching of his candidacy fair chance
his own partisans TO take him up. But. having
allowed fair bidding and discovered that there
would be no hard feeling among Republicans if
he follows his own bent. the Admiral announces
his firm and unvarying political principles
His Democracy appears TO he something of a
surprise Members of his own family have for
more than year been reported saying that
he had always agreed with them in their Re
publican opinions though Il naval officer he
had taken no part in politics Ever since he
entered politics Mrs. Dewey has been quoted as
saving that while she was a Democrat her hus-
band a Republican: but this was evidently
one OF the many untrue reports published on
the subject. else she aS ignorant of his
politics as she WAS innocent of his ambitions
Whatever he may have been thought 10 be. in
reality we now know he is Il Democrat. and as
a Democrat his Presidential prospects are be
considered His nomination. If he secures one
instead of being elected 10y the suffrages OF The
American people without the medium of the
usual machinery. must come from Kansas City.
II has been suggested that the Admiral was not
put forward much by his own Ingenious and
engaging frankness which prompts him when
he something he wants 10 ask for il. as by
designing politicians who are legaiees of ex-
President Cleveland's political stock in trade
But there are difficulties in the way of that
theory. Clevelandism would not find the eli
mate OF Kansas City healthful. and even the
Admiral knows enough Of politics not Ia appeal
10 the Bryanite forces 10 abandon their idol and
nominate him a. the representative of Mr..
Whitney. Mr.. German and the other Democrats
of irregular gold prir cpes and regular silver
practices Theirs * not the sort of regularity
thai the Kansas City Convention is likely to
honor If the Admiral expects Mr. Bryan 10 get
out Of the way for hiin he must adopt some of
the modern Democratic principles. Having al
ways been a Democrat Is nor delnlie enough.
considering the way Democracy has changed
since Mr.. Cleveands time. Mr. Bryan might
make way for "A popular hero who stood for
free silver and the res; of the Chicago platform
But the cause is too sacred 10 BE- sacrificed to
enthusiasm or unselfishness
The Admiral would seem 10 be more at home
with the Gold Democrats if they had a nomina-
ton worth taking. But third party is poor
thing for the really ambitious anyhow. and this
year would amount 10 nothing unless the Gold
Democrats who object 20 Mckinley could be re-
inforced by other people. free silver or what not
who are anti-expsnsionists But, except for the
died in the wool Palmer and Buckner men who