The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-05
COMMENTS OF TIE PRESS
Expressions of Opinion Upon Ad-
miral Dewey's Candidacy.
The New York Newspapers Discuss
EditoriaIIy His Change of SIipd-A
Declaration of His PartiSsnship
Desired-FnNornbly Considered as
the Possible Democratic Ncminec.

NEW YORK. April sd p m1.-The
"Sun" this morning says editorially, under
the caption Dewey"
When Admiral Dewey last fall said
with his own lips to a reporter of the
Evening Sun that he was not and would
not be a candidate for President. the face
of circumstances favored the continuation
of that state of mind. Then came the
marriage, and the consequent subjection
of al thoughts. feelings and ambitions to
another influence, in whose eyes what the
Admiral himself had said before about
his public career presented no precedent
not subject to revision.
Yesterday the sensational announce
ment was made. on Admiral Dewey's own
authority, that he had changed his mind
and is candidate for President. But il
Admiral Dewey or anyone else thinks that
this actually makes him a candidate for
President in a serious sense, he is wrong,
NO one can be a Presidential candidate
in truth who does not first sey by which
of the two great parties he desires to be
nominated. or, if neither suits him, what
To-day the Republicans and Democrats
are diametrically opposed on political is
sues, domestic and foreign, of an essential
importance to the country that has never
been exceeded in its history. Its financial
honor at home and its prestige and eX-
pansion abroad are urged and opposed by
the Republicans and Democrats respect
lively. At such a crisis. for a citizen of
undefined political convictions to announce
himself simply as a candidate for Presi-
dent. presumably by the favor of either
party, indicates either that in his view
The great place OF President is merely
desirable office or that the political condi-
tions of the United States and the nature
of American Government are to the sup
positions candidate unknown. Indeed. We
are constrained to say that the interview
with Admiral Dewey published in last
nights Evening Sun showed that this
latter alternative correctly describes the
case.
Admiral Dewey. therefore. cannot as
yet be called candidate for President.
Whether he will make himself one by de-
claring his partisanship, or remain as he
is. at the most prominent spectator out
side of the pale of nomination possibilities,
whose sayings and doings, though always
receiving notice, cannot cause a genuine
ripple on the political waters. is yet to
be seen. But, any way. as a friend of
Dewey, We are sorry for the
episode.
The Times" says:
Admiral Dewey exhibits in a most un-
usual degree the attractive quality Of
simple open-hearted frankness in ayow-
ing his willingness to accept the nomina-
tion for the Presidency. The American
people will like him all the better for
that OF course Admiral Dewey could
never be put upon the Chicago platform.
There would bc deep consolation and COM
fort in that. All the old miserable dsIl-
sions about silver and the propriety OF
enforcing the law against Anarchists would
go by the Board Imagine this trained and
exponent OF the armed DOW
or this nan Of much gunpowder, sitting
nerveless and Inactive in the White House
while riots were in progress and the law
was set at defiance! The principles of
common honesty aud obedience 20 law |
will not be the subject matter OF cam |
- ~ discussion sf Dewey is the candi- |
date.
He is the very embodiment and personi- |
fcation OF the new era upon which the |
United States have entered; of the new
world questions. which the Times has |
always felt that it was worth the cost of !
the Spanish war to have thrust upon the |
Of the American people too |
long occupied with narrowing and ignoble |
issues of home politics. 1t is thousand |
times better that the American people |
should be talking and talking about the |
hero of Manila fight than about w. ]. |
Bryan. Democrats who once had great |
influence. but have Of late despaired OF |
saving their party from the calamity of |
another Bryan nomination, may pluck up |
heart and go to work.
The Tribune" says:
There is plenty of room for specula-
tion, and as yet no room for anything else,
as TO the effect of this explosion on other
Presidential possibilities. VIII the dele
gates to either party convention begin bid
ding for the Dewey popularity? VIII they
bid against each other, and if so on what |
of selection will the Admiral de- |
eide between them. If neither come for |
ward shall We have a Just Dewey party |
against them BOTH and would the con- |
4ueror Of Manila furnish to the anti |
,xpansionists that much sought-for escape |
from the dilemma of the expansionist |
and the free silverite Bryan?
While asking many questions of this |
kind. people can also study their idolized |
Admiral. They have known him as sim |
pie and ingenious. and they now find him |
exhibiting those qualities to a degree not |