New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1916-11-24
ELECTION DECIDED NO PRINCIPLE

Viewing the election from every angle
it is impossible to discover that the attitude of
the voters with respect to any party principle
was rendered decisive by the results. Perso-
nal anilnOsitics and f~actional discords, which
for six years have sappcd the strength of the
Republican party, made their contribution to
the defeat Of 1916. SO long as petty jealous
les continue in Republican ranks, SO long will
the party whose members once stood shoulder
to shoulder for america first be compelled
to play in the great theatre OF America poll
tics the secondary role Of protestant. Twenty
years OF dieting on the husks OF defeat ulti-
rnately convinced the Democracy that red meat
was the reward held out for united effort.
Woodrow Wilson had violated every principle
held dear to the disciples of Jefferson, but
his retirement spelt the downfall of Democra-
tic supremacy and it was easier to relinquish
principle than power.
The "hc kept us out Of war appeal, coupled
with the p~roplesy OF war TO follow a change
If Administration sank into y
ti,nid, and many who feared tn 4e.4.,, III an
imaginary foreign foe marked the ballot of
a real domestic enemy enemy to our stable
prosperity, to our constitutional form of gov
crrmcut. and to our international prestige. But
neither were these afirightcd ones actuated
by a party principle, unless their party emblem
y a cotton-tail rabbit,
The cardinal principle on which the two
Great parties have been divided is the tariff.
That was an ISSUE which was Systematically
cyadcd by the Democrats, and availcd of all
700 littlc by Mr.. Hughes. 1t gave the protcc-
%ti"ni,ts a majority in the House II Represent
~;ativcs ~o light that it is doubtful II that body
can initiate any legislation which will wipe
the Nil~,u-Codcrwood tariff disgrace from
the statute books. But the tarifi question is
with Us stronger than ever and il need SUR
prise no one if thc close Of the European war
ijr,ls Woodrow Wilson ranting for protection
with all the fcrvor that he exhibited when he
lacE-trackcl on the preparedness issue and
assured us that the world was on fire. The
protection sentiment grows stronger in the
country with each wear and reelection has not
stabilized the presidential mind.
Since the foundation of this Government
it has been a principle of both parties that the
should not coerce the legislative
branch of the Government. On this point the
tl'lNldtN pdltv ldS DecIl, II anything, IIlOTc
in~istent than the Republican party, Yet, I'M
der the Wilson regime, Congress has been a
mere office force Of the President, and the
process Of legislation has been a travesty which
reached its climax in the railroad wage bill,
This cost Mr.. Wilson many Democratic votes,
and even labor split on the issue, but other
factors considered, the Presidents popular mo-
iority does not decisively indicate whether the
OF this cOnntrv's opinion is. or is
not, for a one-man Government.
The Republicans have always stood firm
for the recognition Of American rights
abroad and on the high seas, jefferson wab-
bled on that great principle, and we finally got
into a war with England which was produc-
Of small credit to us. Cleveland was ada
mant for American rights, and John Bull
bounced off when Grover had declared him
self on the Venezuela matter. Wilson's spine
brought this principle prominently be-
lore the people, and it came the nearest to a
decision in the election-so near il that our
rights abroad will continue to receive the same
recognition which is being accorded them by
Germany. England, and Mexico. which is an
international Joke.
Minor principles which entered into the
roWuoien controversies received scant atten-
'i,o hrrcr they cav not re said ii have been
lc-i~i}clv passed rt,n. Nltogettcr II looks
o., II We have il al t. TIGHT over again, with
luck nest time, if a united effort is
t,71c aoqinst the Wilsonians.