Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1902-07-04
Dewey Again Talks.

A'eAe aiiA'N vi ~ III Ills ltIle
pressions on public matters A couple
OF years ago he created CONSERVATION
by announcing his candidacy for the
Presidency. When asked by which
party he would submit his candidacy,
he declared that he would head either
the Republican or Democratic ticket,
whichever his friends deemed adyls-
able. When asked if he did not have
positive convictions on party princi.
piles, he said that he did, and would
make them known at the proper time.
He was relieved, however, from posi-
ton that was becoming embarrassing,
by his friends, who persuaded him to
drop the only gun that he had by
some fatality got hold Of which he did
not know how to handle.
Then ms explanation for giving to
his wife the glit-house presented him
by his admirers. was an explanation OF
foolish act which did not explain,
but it may be that it was in reality
incapable OF explanation: that is a
point we will not try to determine.
Then his endorsement of Schley-
while it met with hearty response in
every patriotic heart-was rash and in
poor taste, to say the least, and opened
up the way to a rebuke from his tenn.
porary superiors Gin Office alone). 1t
was manly, but impolitic; and it is
improbable that either consideration
OF the matter ever fitted over his mind.
Now the Admiral, when he appeared
before the congressional committee,
q few days ago, and stated that the
surrender of Manila had been agreed
upon between himself and the Spanish
Governor General, in command OF the
city, before q gun had been fired, and
that he was to enter the harbor and
make an attack simply to afford an
excuse for surrender, committed, we
think, quite as egregious a blunder.
The ideal simplicity, the naivette, OF
the Admiral, in ruthlessly wiping the
bloom from the peach OF his wonder
full victory, is only equaled by the pre-
vious surprise, the complainant manner
in which he announced no less i'm
portant matter than his candidacy for
President. The cool and collected
way in which.he rstreated that Mayday
morn to the other side of the bay, for
breakfast, and after it was deliberately
ate. resuming bonn bardment, precisely
the point where it was left off. is now
explained. The small loss OF the assail.
ing party now ceases to be a cause for
surprise, when, be it known, the battle
was only modern naval practice, and
not one of the worlds great marine
engagements! Our government, and
ell nations we're fooled, and-only
think-ior three years the Admiral
has been carrying this card up his
sleeve!
Nobody will deny, however, that
Dewey is brave man, and his late ad-
mission is q proof Of it, for very few
men of TeDown would walk up to Q
Congressional committee and voluntar.
lily make q statement that may wholly
strip him OF the prestige OF victory.
No matter what may be the effect
upon the honors and prize-money al.
ready accorded, the admission that the
battle was mere by-play, arranged be.
tween himself and . Spanish conspira.
tor against his government, removes
about all the luster that had formerly
been accorded to what was regarded a.
an unparalleled naval feat-the cap.
ture of Manila before breakfast, with
out losing . man or . ship.