The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-06-28
President in Soldier Clothes.

Every now and then some one Is
foolish enough 10 revive the ridiculous
suggestion that the President of the
United States should have a uniform,
which he may don upon occasion, to
satisfy the peculiar desire for the visibly
ornate In connection with his Office as
Commander-in-chief Of the Army and
Navy. The suggestion viii probably not
be received with favor by any man who
has sufficient standing in the country to
be elected TO the Office. The Presidents
title as Commander-in-chief Of the mill
tary-naval forces is for administrative
purposes, and his authority over the
army and navy In time Of war. or in
time Of peace. would not be enhanced in
the slightest degree by logging him
out in the regalia of military rank.
He would sacrifice much Of the dignity
Of his position If he appeared in a uni
form which would have to be corre-
spondingly more resplendent in gold lace
and tinseled fligree than the decorations
of the highest rank Of those who are his
junior in position.
There is something impressive in the
fact that the President Of the United
States appears at military-naval func-
tons OF the most formal character IN the
garb which has nothing of the orna-
mental represented In the habIiments of
the army and navy commissioned per-
sonnet
'Blilitarisrn" Is word which has been
greatly abused in the harangues of. the
agitators 1t would give aid and COM
fort to that class Of critics If the Presi-
dent donned a uniform, which would
impart nothing to his authority and in
crease IN no degree the dignity of his
Office. with the effect of placing the
administration under military rule. Amer
leans who love simplicity. at least in
attire. would not take kindly to a Presi-
Dental uniform. 1t would place the
President on a plane with kings and
emperors, whose divinity" IS protected
by sartorial frippery and fiummery. The
President would speedily cease to be a
man of or from the people If he adopted
uniform, when he does not in any
sense hold a military office, the incum-
bent Of which. by custom. appears to
need, as a contribution to discipline and
efficiency in the art of war, certain
r,orfrs % ,5fet4r,otfrr eoy,,o+F,,,,s- ,.v-s d,
TO the excess Of personal adornment. The
reduction of that which is merely SNOWY
in military-naval garb appears to be i'm
possible so long as the officers of foreign
armies and navies have established a
standard OF array.
The foreign example. however, in the
matter OF the dress of rulers need not be
adopted for the President Of the United
States with any idea that ii Will be Of
particular value or make him a better
Chief Executive or compel an Increased
degree of public respect either for the
Office or the man who holds it. The love
OF the ornamental in personal or official
attire is entertained by a few people who
enjoy being conspicuous. If every one
wore the uniform Of major general or
a rear admiral. those same people would
be conten;ed with the then noticeable
garb of the sedate civilian. Most people
who are Obliged to wear uniforms do So
under at least mental protest and nc
fault can be found with those who, BY
right OF official position, wear the uni
form when it should or must be worn
To deck out the President in the panoply
Of a warrior would be a degeneration o.