The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-08-19
THE HEAT AND BURDEN or THE DAY


war has had any appreciate effect upon
the organization or distribution of politi-
cal parties. It was essentially an Amer
lean war and was calculated, for the time
being at least, ito merge all differences
for the common defence andto subordi-
nate every other influence to that for the
full triumph of the national arms. For
this all sections of the Union rallied in
impetuous rivalry, and every part of the
land has been lavish Of war heroes. Thus
the strong and enduring conference of all
its political divisions into compact and
patriotic nationalism was itself justifca
ton equivalent to all others for undertake
ing and prosecuting great foreign war.
This gratifying state of devotion and
loyalty, now fixture everywhere within
these boundaries and abundantly seen
in the spirit and spontaneity of the whole
people. is never again to be challenged
or denied. But political parties will ex-
ist as heretofore. and contend and strive
and win and lose as parties have won
and lost all along the fertile progress of
free and enlightened government. 1t is
for this reason that the American citizen
who yesterday laid down his musket can
today with equal facility resume his SOW
ereignty of thought and action, no more
and no less an American whether he be a
soldier or civilian.
One would deem it hard indeed in a
system like ours to exclude the impuri-
ties of the political situation from the
wellspring of conservative craftsmanship;
and the world contends that it cannot be
done. We do not know. In the strife of
peace, which is the battle of life, and in
the struggle of war, which is the gage of
death, Politics stands an Unlocking but
not passive figure. There is little that
escapes his insidious touch, and what he
touches seldom escapes faint. There are
many true men who entered upon the
trying duties of this war unswayed by
care for party and unmindful of private
advantage. There were others whose
sole ambition was the triumph and glory
of their country. 1t has been charged
that yet others in place and authority
have labored coyertly for nothing loftier
than party advantage and personal gain.
OF these we come not to judge and for
them we have no word. But there is one
personality of whose conduct throughout
this struggle the very whiteness of his
emergence warrants us to speak The
President Of the United States, on whom
from first to last in this conflict has lain
''the heat and burden of the day." now at
the elimination of wondrous peace
stands forth an American citizen esteem
ed and honored by his countrymen, an
American Chief Magistrate accredited
and respected of all men. 1t has been a
pride to us all, and pleasure to see, that
amid the warm discussion and criticism
of some of the methods and some of the
men made conspicuous by conspicuous
events, and many of which conclusions
seemed justifiable, no word Of censure of
the President has been provoked by his
acts while the dignity and conservatism
of his official conduct have been magnan-
imously commended and his course APP
proved by nearly the united press of the
great party that opposed his election. No
citizen, no matter what may be his polit-
ical views or prejudices, has exhibited
anything short of confidencein and praise
for the consistent and efficient perform
ance of duty by President Mckinley I'M
der the exasperating and exacting con-
ditions of most unusual national crisis