The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-22

ing swiftly in the veins Of the white
man. The pomp and circumstance or
war are still his delight, and the uni
form Of the soldier is still the
one absolutely irresistible attraction
to his daughters. Long intervals
Of calm, during which peace
congresses sit and congratulate the
world on the decadence of militarism,
and philanthropists negotiate arbitra
ton treaties that shall lay soothing
hands on all casus belh. are followed
by the sudden Eruption Of the tornado
of war, and the Christian becomes at
once a barbarian again.
With this under current of ferocity
always flowing on or under the sur
face. it is not strange that those astute
and crafty gentlemen who direct the
movements Of great party organiza-
lions should play upon it when the OPP
portunity occurs. and utilize the
awakened war spirit to advance their
and their party's interests They are
aware how the mass love the hero and
idealize him, and it is one of the promi-
nent features of our national life how
successfully these politicians trade on
this sentiment. 1t is also singular
on more and more benefits that come
from intervals of peace, the descent Of
articles from positions of luXuries for
the few to that of necessaries for the
mass, the worship Of the war-lord
grows, and the war president increases
in popularity. Washington was fol-
lowed by presidents for thirty years
who had never worn a uniform, but
since the advent of the hero of New
Orleans into the presidency we have
had the politicians playing on the hero
worship repeatedly. Jackson's success
induced the Wings to proffer Harri-
son, the hero of Tippecanoe," the first
time without success, but winning the
next.
In the campaign of 184S the Wings
utilized the still ebullient spirit of the
war with Mexico and nominated Tay-
lor, against whom the Democrats un-
availingly pitted the veteran states
man Cass. In 1852 the Democrats,
taught by the experience of '48, ran
Pierce on his Mexican war record and
won. In 1856 the Republicans chose
Gen. Fremont and paraded his path
finding and capture of California as
the reason why he should be made
president but he lost mainly because
Southern Wings suspected the anti
slavery motives of the Republicans.
In 1860 quite as much was made of
Capt. Lincoln's services in the Black
Hawk war as Of his rail splitting or
his fatboating. Four years later the
Democrats thought Mcclellan win
ming card, and he might have been but
for that stupid prating about the fail
ure Of the war. Grant followed, and
his war record carried him over the
civil failure and the scandals of mis-
first administration. The statesman
Illden could not prevail against All
electoral commission that gave the
seat to Gen. Hayes, and parties pitted
generals against each other in 1880.
And now we may expect for another
decade or two to have the politicians
In all parties weighing the reputa-
lions won in this war in selecting can
dldates for the presidency. The Re-
publicans have already filed a caveat
on Dewey and warned the Democrats
or, while the latter are canvassing
Fitzhugth Lees availability. Mr.. Nc
kinley will try, with Hanna's aid, to
get another term, but how can a plain
major hope to win with major generals
and admirals in the field? The states
man, the mere civilian, who has been
nursing presidential aspirations, can
put them by in lavender and moth
balls, for our presidents for another
decade or two will be heroes of the
Hispano-A war.