Evening star., 1916-11-10
The Presidents Reelection.

President Wilson's reelection is to be
regarded as assured. despite the posi-
bility of changes in the vote as a re-
suit of recounts in the states. chiefly in
the west, that have finally. by small plu
ralities, been reported as giving him
their electoral support.
This election has been remarkable in
its character, and the Presidents tri
umph at the polls is a wonderful result.
The opposition of combined republican
and progressive votes, totaling in the
past many more than the normal demo
cratic votes in the country. Vas a heavy
handicap at the outset of the race The
primary proposition in the Presidents
contest involved remarkably difficult
task. That he has succeeded in winning
the support of enough voters to give him
a majority in the electoral college is d
token of his strong hold upon tine people.
On the night of election, when the
great states of the east; and middle west,
viewed as pivotal, had in the main been
shown to have east their votes for
Hughes, the impression was created that
he had carried the country and some
of the Presidents strongest supporters
conceded republican victory. Now, after
the smoke is cleared away, it is found
that practically the solid east and. with
the exception of Ohio, the states up to
the Mississippi. casting their votes for
Hughes, have been offset. Mr.. Wilson
has been reelected by the votes of the
solid south and the almost solid states
west of the Mississippi.
This is realignment in the country
which before election would have seem
ed ineonceivable, and any suggestion of
it would have been received with in
eredulity. The solid south was. of
course, known to be sure to vote for the
democratic candidate. But the grazing
and mining states of the west, hereto
fore largely republican. were not ex-
pected to render democratic decisions
Apparently, many of those in the win
ming party organization had no hope of
carrying many Of these states which
have decided the election, for in the
absence of reports from them on cleo
tion night the eastern trend to Hughes
was accepted as foreshadowing his vic
tory.
This wonderful political victory, with
its inspiration to enthusiasm and con-
fidence for the winners, is modified by
one consideration.
The administration goes into a new
term without the support (Ohio except
ed of the great industrial and farming
states of the east and middle west,
the states in which are found the weight
lest aggregations of men and wealth. of
workmen, of farmers and of capitalists
the states hitherto regarded as pivotal.
which contribute the bulk of the funds
for the support Of the national govern
ment. This fact may be viewed as an
assurance against extremism in what
may be undertaken during the second
administration of Mr.. Wilson. No Presi-
dent would under these circumstances
90 ahead with confidence in course of
radicalism, relying for his support upon
the trans Mississippi section and the
solid south. In the south every white
citizen has In effect a duplicated re-
sponsibility, as he votes not only for
himself, but for the great mass of those
who have been disfranehised. This see
tion of the country, both in the House
of Representatives and in the electoral
college, has, it is conceded, an artificialIy
multiplied power as compared with the
rest of the country in proportion to the
votes east at election.
The administration will doubtless pro
eeed with conservatism during the next
four years. Its mandate TO continue in
power is received in terms that make
for restraint Mr.. Wilson, nevertheless,
has accomplished the seemingly impos
slide and establishes marvellous rec
ord in overcoming apparently insupera
bic obstacles and in being the first dem
oeratic President since Andrew Jack
son to succeed himself in office