Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-11-17
Amazing Triumph OF Mr.. Wilson.

From the New York Tribune.
On election night, when the returns from
those States which have hitherto been re-
garded as pivotal in national campaigns
indicated large majority for Mr.. Hughes,
the Tribune editorally wrote Of the result
that it was a reputation Of Mr. Wilson
and an answer to his declarations Of policy
and purpose. The returns which have sub
sequently been received have demonstrated
clearly that the Tribune was mistaken in
its conclusions and that, far from a repu-
diation Of Mr.. Wilson, the returns that are
now at hand constitute the most remark
able personal Endorsement that has come
to Democratic President since the days
of Andrew Jackson.
II is relatively a minor thing whether
the few hundred votes that will decide the
electoral votes of California and Minnesota
fall to Mr. Wilson or to Mr.. Hughes The
very fact that these great Republican
States have been in doubt to this moment
indicates the extent Of the failure of the
Republican candidate and his party and
not less clearly the amazing triumph Of
Mr. Wilson.
There is tendency to overestimate the
influence of the West in the decision and
to ignore the verdict Of the East. of New
England in particular. Yet the votes Of
Massachusetts and Maine, the almost I'M
believable figures from New Hampshire
indicate that the same spirit which was
abroad in Kansas and Minnesota was to
be felt and seen in New England.
1t is possible to debate the question as
to whether the larger part of the result was
due to Mr.. Hughes personal failure as a
candidate and his resolute refusal to meet
the great questions Of the campaign fairly
and bravely, or to general enthusiasm
for Mr.. Wilson and for his policies. But
such discussion is in the main academic.
However much importance one may attach
TO Mr. Hughes failure, only deliberate and
intentional injustice could obscure the ex-
tent of the personal triumph Of Mr.. Wilson.
He has done what none but his friends
and partisans believed he could do, and he
has won an Endorsement in portions Of the
nation which have never before given
similar tribute 10 Democratic candidate
for the Presidency, save in years Of Re-
publican fractional strife.
Long before election day there ceased to
be amy question about an affirmative vote
fo;cMr. Hughes. Long ago the single ques-
ton Of the canvass became that of the
rejection or Endorsement of Mr. Wilson. On
election day the real problem was not
whether Mr.. Hughes or Mr.. Wilson would
be elected, but whether the public would
accept or reject Mr.. Wilson. In the first
hours Of the count, when Mr.. Wilson's de-
feat was conceded by the newspapers
which had supported him most Loyalty and
was written in all the returns then avail
able. the Tribune said that Mr. Wilson had
been rejected and his policies repudiated.
In all this the Tribune was mistaken. and
il does not believe that any such conclu-
sion can now be drawn from the election.
even IL Mr.. Hughes succeeds Mr.. Wilson by
virtue Of the turn Of few hundred votes
In two disputed States
Such personal satisfaction as can be
drawn from the result belongs TO Mr.. Viii
son he is entitled TO IL. The Tribune |
hoped that there would be a straieht-out