The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-11-19
WILSON'S TRIUMPH.

WILSON'S TRIUMPH.
The disposition of our republican
friends to exaggerate some of the mi
nor details of the recent elections
may be attributed to pardonable en-
thusiasm, but even that is not an ex-
cuse for down right misrepresenta-
ton. IN spite of democratic reverses
in many states, there is absolutely no
reason to believe that the country
is committed anew to McKinleyism,
Hannaism and Aldrichism.
"Mr. Wilson's defeat in the second
year of his term" says the Tribune,
lis as crush ing for all practical pur-
poses t. were the mid-term defeats
that overlook President Taft i'm 1910
or President Harrison in 1890" This
is an error, appearing, elsewhere as
if by concert, that should not pass
unchallenged.
When Mr.. Harrison took Office in
1889 there was republican house
of representatives. Two years later,
the Mckinley bill having become a
law, he was confronted by house
having democratic majority OF
ninety-four
When Mr.. Taft took Office in 1909
there was republican house of rep
resentatives. Two years later, the
Payne-Aldrich betrayal having been
placed meantime, he met house hav-
ing a democratic majority OF sixty
six.
In both these cases the people ad-
,;c%o nh f IN the
president and his party. They did
more than to express displeasure.
They did all that they could do to re-
verse them and their policies.
Mr.. Wilson took Office in 1913 with
a democratic senate and house. AS
the principal result of the recent
elections nationally, he will have dur
ing the latter half of his own term
the cooperation of senate with an
increased democratic majority and
house with a democratic majority OF
at least twenty.
We do not believe that the Tribune
itself will say again that this is "a
defeat as crushing for all practical
purposes as the defeats, that over
took Presidents Harrison and Taft.
There is a purpose, of course, in
these attempts to dispose of Wood
row Wilson. If it can be made to APP
pear that he was crushed" in 1914,
the real job that must be undertaken
in 1916 may be made easier. To this
end it is noticeable that such republic
can encouragement as was derived
from local democratic reverses has
resulted in a countrywide chorus of
calamity, panic and hard. times.
This also is baseless There is
nothing, in fact, to justify it. The
American people never were, SO rich
and prosperous as they are today
There never was time in their his
tory when their government was
more just. No man lives who has
seen so many popular demands enact
ed into law by dozen congresses'as
now appear accomplished on the re-
cords of the sixty-third congress.
Taking the greed and graft out
of the tariff and financial absolutism
out of Wall street has not necessarily
closed single factory. 1t has not
necessarily deprived single man Of
work. 1t has interfered with the
business of no one whose trade has
not been bottomed on extortion and
plumber We have not been flooded
with "pauper goods" from abroad.
We are disturbed only as all civiliza-
ticn is disturbed. Such commercial
and industrial difficulties as appear
are due to war; and nothing but war
Plutocracy. showing some symptoms
of recovery, cannot belle the facts.
That the people who not long ago
reDudiated party which sold tarlff
schedules for campaign contributions
appreciate these truths is proved by
the complexion of the new congress.
1t is not to be denied that the demo-
cratic majority in that body will be
smaller than that which appears in
the present congress, but it is to be
noted very seriously that the new ma
jority represents democratic victory
over a republican party once more
acting in essential harmony, whereas
the great and useless majority elect
ed in 1912 was due in large part to
the schisms of republicans.
In Great Britain a responsible min
istry appealing to the people that
gained a majority in the House of
Commons like that which is revealed
in the sixty-fourth congress would re-
gard it as an emphatic vote of conf
dence. The administration of Presi-
dent Wilson has received an emphatic
vote of confidence, and no falsehOod
can obscure the fact. Assured of pub
lie support, it should face the future
with courage and confidence. Its past,
at least, is secure.-St. Louis Repub-
lie.