Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-11-18
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
VICTOR

VICTOR.
The result Of the late election is all thai
could be desired by the most ardent demo.
GRAFT 1t demonstrates anew that the coun.
try is really democratic whenever the
Democratic party stands upon its historic
principles and dominates candidates in
whom the people have confidence.
The best immediate outcome of the contest
is the development of a number of strong
and capable men who have shown remark
able tact in the management of a political
campaign, and have demonstrated that
frenzy and vituperation cannot successfully
combat the homely. straightforward argu-
ment based upon fundamental truths and
presented by men whose characters are the
guarantee that faith will be kept with the
people. The men who have now come to the
front as the leaders of the Democratic party
are grounded in its traditions and cannot
be swerved from their purpose by personal
considerations or the spur Of political as
pirations Governor Harmon has exhibited
administrative ability and political and
moral COURAGE Of the highest order. Wood
row Wilson has long been known as a
profound student Of our institutions, and
in his recent campaign has shown grasp
stamp him as one Of the foremost men of
the republic. Judge Baldwin's long career
Of usefulness finds fitting reward in the
support of the people Of his State; and
Governor Foss enters the broader field
Of politics well equipped for its duties. Nor
may w, overlook the sterling qualities Of
head and heart and the fine courage of
Mayor Gaynor, which place him in the front
rank of the political captains Of his day
Moreover, these men are large enough to
see the opportunities Of their party in all
their bearings and unselfish enough to
make any self-sunender which its perma-
nent ascendency may demand; and because
these things are true the outlook for har-
mony and patriotic effort to secure real
and substantial results from the victory, is
bright and reassuring for the people of the
country.
Noisy exultation in the hour of success
is beneath the dignity and the far-reachine
and benefcent consequences Of the victory
the Democratic party has gained. The
men who sought to befoe the issues and
delude the people. have discovered that
American common sense, when once
aroused, is keen to detect fakir or die
tator, and swift to repudiate him. We
have no hard words for these men. If
they cannot appreciate the rebuke Of the
ballot-box. they are beyond the reach of
any influences which might correct the
shortcomings of men of ordinary human
sensibilities.
But the real lesson of the election lies,
not in the rebuke of one class Of men, or
in the opportunity for political preferment
which it may offer to another class, but in
the responsibilities it lays upon the success
full party and upon the men who led it to
victory. In the first place, it is to be re-
membered that the voters have granted
this lease Of power in the belief that the
party promise will be kept and that Ameri-
can institutions will be restored for the
blessing of the generations to follow. The
victory has been won not altogether by
democratic votes, and the ability Of the
Democratic party to retain its hold will
depend uponit its ability to convince its allies
that a fofu liao In tho ,,arroona02 o,,n-ar,oc,,
Of democratic principles. In fact, but one
victory has been gained in campaign
the ultimate outcome of which is to be
decided in 1912. In the meantime. the
forces must be kept in unison and the
esprit dc corps must not relax for moment.
Necessarily, under the existing conditions,
the task is not light one, and calls for
tact and wisdom and manly self-restraint
upon the part of the victors. But it should
not be difficult for men entrusted with high
duties to remember that false step means
disappointment Of the hopes Of the people
and inevitable disaster in the next en-
counter.
Political reforms are not accomplished
in an hour, and hasty reforms are tempo
rary and delusive. Patience in devising
means, broad and statesmanlike views in
legislation and administration, are essen
tial conditions of successful party govern
ment. II is fortunate for the Democratic
party that its latest battle was fought upon
principles which were born with the repub-
lie. and that its leaders of today are men
who, while reverencins the past and receiv-
ing inspiration from its elories, do not
overlook the needs Of the present, and in
maintaining the old faith in constitutional
government preserve the only substantial
foundation upon which future greatness
can rest. 1t is in this sense that the cleo
ton Of 1910 forecasts the result of the
election of 1912.
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