Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-11-01
The PRESIDENCY.
Chicago Herald.)


AS an independent newspaper, tied
to the chariot wheels of no political
party, newspaper that does not make
itself mere sounding board for the
vocalizations of contending factions,
the Herald cannot accept the partisan
view that the fate of this great nation
depends on the triumph Of particular
man or side one week from next Tues
day. And yet this is being dinned into
the ears of those who will sit in judg-
ment on the merits of President Will
son and Mr. Hughes and men who seal
the convolutions of; their brain with
PARTY label believe it,
No divine fire descends from above
each four years and tips the tongues
of political orators with prophecy,
their minds with omniscience and their
foresight with the accuracy Of hind
sight. riNVe are suffering from this
quadrennial lunacy, in particularly
vicious form. We are told that Charles
Evans Hughes and Woodrow Wilson
are unfit to sit in the White House, and
that to elect either man is to court
disaster at home, and abroad. ~
No matter who is chosen chief mag.
istrate on Nov. 7, the Herald believes
that in both Wilson and Hughes there
is enough of courage, patriotism and
foresight to insure the graphing with
problems that may arise in spirit OF
broad, capable and patriotic national
ism.
There is a strong and reasonable
sentiment in this country in favor OF
rewarding the efforts of tried and ac-
ceptable public servants by reelection.
We see this principle invoked in every
contest from the smallest local politi-
cal fight to the greatest national strug-
gle. Within the great parties Presi-
dent who has done we'll is conceded
the right to denomination. There is no
reason why this test should not be ap-
piled at this time to President Wilson
himself. On the record-as a whole
OF things done, on the prospect OF
things to be done, is there a real rea--
son for the American people at this
time to repudiate the President?
There are to the Herald good rea.
sons whey they should not do so. Out
o. the disquietude of recent events the
nation has sailed into the calmer seas
of the present. But what American
can or should forget in SO short time
the manifold difficulties which con-
fronted President Wilson during the
first two years of the war? What
American can or should forget that he
was called on almost at every moment
to act on matters big with the fate
Of the nation? What Just man can
overlook how anxiously he studied the
public opinion of the country, that he
might put the decision of the govern
ment in accord Herewith? Above all,
who can forget that he acted not in
the light of subsequent events but un-
der the direct menace of the event it.
self?
There has been much criticism OF
the course OF our foreign policy during
this troubled period. The Herald be-
lieves, on the whole, that i. was large;
in conformity with the will of the ma
ton as whole. 1t is asserted that
our prestige has been impaired there
by, and we are shamed as towards in
the face of the world We see no evi-
dence to that effect. On the contrary
we see that for months Germany, fin
ally brought to an agreement in the
submarine matter, has loyalty adhered
to her promises.
We, see that Great Britain and tie
other allies are being pressed by the
administration for a recognition OF
American rights in the spirit of real