The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-05
SEATTLE. THURSDAY. APRIL 8.


GIOul fICTo W
1t Is with sense of loss that every
American citizen will read the definite
announcement this morning that Ad-
miral Dewey consents 10 become a
candidate for the presidency. He has
lost his hero. The man who stood upon
an emInence that lowered above the
dignity of the chief executive has stoop-
cd TO pick at a bauble lying In his path.
The first report OF his decision was not
discredited 70 much because II came
from the wholly unreliable columns OF
the New York World as II was because
II was unlike Dewey. Men said 1T is
impossible. The old man Is not 80 fool
ish as that" And they viii be unfeign-
eddy sorry. for his sake. to learn that
II Is true.
While Admiral Dewey himself Is Gu
rlously silent on one point. 1t must be
assumed that his candidacy IL for the
Democratic nomination. Republicans
piece. Besides. there is other evidence
that makes the underlying meaning of
this startling announcement perfectly
obvious. II has been for more than
year the pet scheme OF Eastern Demo-
cratic leaders. We value their political
sagacity too highly 10 believe that they
contemplated Dewey's election as a pos
eibility. But they have found the domi-
nation OF Bryan unbearable Some one
must be found who could wrest from
him his dictatorship. The unbounded
popularity OF Dewey seemed an lnstru-
ment equal to the task. They attempt
ed to secure his consent while he was
on his way home. and after his return.
Then he refused. Now. won by what
arguments we know not. he has recon-
sldered. And the Democrats Of the
East. whom Mr.. Bryan on his last visit
found cold and alienated. have made
their plans to nominate the admiral at
Kansas City.
Considered as a bit OF party strategy
the movement Ia folly. II Admiral
Dewey Is nominated. there will be two
candidates calling themselves Demo
Gratis. Nothing on earth can prevent
MIR. Bryan's nomination Nothing now
visible can prevent II from bearing at
least the outward stamp OF regularity.
Tits friends have control OF the party
machinery In practically all OF the
states. Frankly they have avowed that.
" antl-Bryan delegates are selected
anywhere. eoptestlng Bryan delegations
win so 90 the convention and viii be
admitted. They are not meaiy-mouthcd
OF sgentle-hapded They viii give Mir.
Bryan The nomination, ana tt viii be
one that can at least be called regular.
The nomination Of Admiral Dewey
could be brought about only by bolt,
And he could not hope 10 POLL
haif as many votes as Bryan, For
Democracy has been committed In ad
vancc 10 1ryanism, to doctrines that
Dewey would not represent Il he would
We DO not believe that even for the
presidency he would assent 20 approve
dishonest dollar. And then. how about
expansion II Is the keystone ot the
Democratic arch. Ia congress and out
~ A. the party Is pledged 10 oppose the
retention OF our new possessions. Fancy
Dewey on a platform esilns the war
in the phuipplnes criminal aggrcs.
sion" oxAlting Aguinaldo as hero De.
ceivcd and wronged by oar admirais
and generals. and revillng the splendid
work all Of which ne saw and so great
psrt az which he MAS. The thing Is
utterly fantastic, We should no, care
10 have the writing Of the platform on
which Admiral Dewey could stand as
the candidate OF Democracy
a. far as the mere bearing ~ this
event upon party fortunes Is concerned.
Il will give no uneasiRess to Republic
ans There would be no cause for il u
the contest were to be between De Ecy
and Mckinley alone. For no error "a
more fragrant than that which oontuses
the popularity 81 the military hero with
the strength OF the candidate. Admiral
Dewey has been above criticism has
met everywhere admiration and ap-
plause Just because he held aloof from