The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-05
ADMIRAL DEwEY.s MISTAKE.

ADMIRAL DEwEY's MISTAKE.
1t is disappointing to have a popular hero
make a mistake. At least II is disappoint-
ing TO the American people who. in their
impulsiveness and generosity, invest their
popular heroes with every conceivable vir-
tue. including that of inerrancy. When
Admiral Dewey decided TO another the
house which the people had given him
personal testimonial and souvenir of
their admiration. thus divesting the gift of
the sentiment with which they had in
vested it. they first censured and then for
gave him. They were grleved that he at
tached so little Importance to the personal
aspect of the gift, but they quickly for
gave him the ground that he was con-
fused by the strangeness of his environ
ments and had been led by new emotions
into error of judgment that he would
not have committed in other circum-
stances.
The mistake he has made in declaring his
willingness to become a candidate for Pres
ident is more serious and more disappoint-
splendor of Admiral Dewey's exploit at
Manila or the magnitude of his service
TO the country, but one of the things they
most admired in him was his apparently
simple devotion to duty and his complete
self-abnegation. AS they read his action
and character they were absolutely devoid
Of personal exploitation or self-seeking.
For this as much for his actual serv-
ices they were ready to overwhelm him
with such honors and rewards as were due
to a great and modest naval hero-prize
money. promotions. popular ovations. jew
eled swords, costly gifts, houses-nothing
was too good for the hero of Manila bay.
The people admired him the more because
when. on his return to the United States.
the subject OF the presidency was preached
to him he put 1t away with the remark
that he was a sailor, that all his training
had been i'm that direction, that he knew
nothing about politics. and why should he
desire any more honors than those the peo-
pie were heaping upon him? This was the
substance of his remarks on different &C.
TEEN. The people were glad to have
naval hero who was content TO be that
alone and not to aspire to an office which.
in the popular mind, is more or less con-
nected with political combinations and
management They would have been glad
to have had Admiral Dewey remain on
the pedestal where they had placed him
and to have stepped from that into the
unique place they had reserved for him
I'm history-that of a distinguished Ameri-
can and popular hero who would not be
President. But Admiral Dewey has dis
appointed this expectation. To put it
stronger, he has made a great mistake.
The time of the announcement of his will
ingness to accept a nomination for Presi-
dent is i'll chosen and the manner of 1t is
in bad taste. 1t is untimely because neither
party is looking for a candidate and the
office is not seeking him. 1t is absolutely
certain that the Republicans will renomi-
nate President Mckinley and almost equal
ly so that the Democrats will nominate Mr..
Bryan. Admiral Dewey's announcement
leaves III 10 De inferred tnat he would ac-
cept nomination from either party. Per-
haps his unacquaintance with practical
politics and with political issues, princi-
Piles. policies and platforms leads him to
think this a consistent and dignified posi-
ton to take. but he is mistaken. A very
large majority in both parties will resent
1t because their minds are made up in ac-
cordance with the logic of the situation
i'm favor of other candidates. Admiral
Dewey could not be Democrat IL he tried
ever so hard. and Republicans will regard
1t as an ungracious act on his part to put
himself i'm position of seeming antagonism
to the President under whom he has won
his honors. He has been badly advised.
Either political schemers have gained his
ear and filled him with new ambition
or some potent and unfortunate influence
still nearer has been exercised TO induce
him to seek an Office for which in his wiser
moments he declared he had no training.
He has made a great mistake.