Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-28
Party Lines in War Times

| IF this were a period of national tranquility
/ and IL we had plenty Of time to talk and
play politics. the municipal campaigns now
In progress in New York and Philadelphia
| would be of absorbing interest throughout
the entire country. But because the nation
is at war and because Liberty loan and Red
Cross and training camp and other military
activities have consumed our attention do
mestic politics seem too remote and petty to
engage our notice.
Even the extraordinary phenomenon OF
rock-ribbed Republicans like Elihu Root and
Boies Penrose quitting their party reservs-
lions fails to arouse our wonder. In the fist
instance, Root has taken the stump for the
election of John Purroy Mitchell a Democrat
by tradition. but the fusion candidate for
the mayoralty Of New York by selection. In
the second Ponrose has bolted the old-line
ticket in Philadelphia. and Is fighting in tho
ranks Of the independents. In normal times
these defectons would seem to prcsage the
millennium. The popular indifference with
which the country views these two campaigns
may mean that the congressional fight which
is to be staged next year will be very taro
affair. With the present House alno5.
equally divided. and with the Democratic
ma jority In the Senate much reduced. the
1918 campaign ordinarily would be one Of
vast Importance. Not only would 1t involve
the control of the two national Legislative
bodies for the next two years. but it would
contest.
But If the war continues through 1918. It
Is morally certain that the people generally
will take only lanEuid interest in the out
come of the fight of the Republicans to cap
ture the House and perhaps the Senate
we'll. There can be no sharp Issues between
the candidates of the two leading parties.
Both Republicans and Democrats are pledged
to the success Of the war The conflict came
during Democratic regime, but 1t was voted
for by greater percentage OF Republicans
than Democrats. And every great war meas
ure, fathered by a Democratic President and
introduced by Democratic committee chair
men. has been given active support by an
overwhelming majority of the Republican
Representatives and Senators.
Should the American forces abroad sustain
serious reverses during the coming year.
should the war organization OF tho present
administration give evidence of ineliciency,
or should the Democratic regime exhibit pro-
nounced incapacity to carry on such war
as the country is now engaged in. an issue
might be built up around those circumstances.
But no seer political or otherwise. believes
at this moment that President Wilson will
fail TO measure up to the responsibilities
which rest Upon him. The truth is, he is
growing stronger IN popular esteem every
day that passea and this confidence proceeds
from work we'll done.
The next campaign, however, may develop
one important element. There Is still
widespread paciist vote i'll the United States
1t Is not confined to the secretly hostile Ger
man-Americans. 1t Is made up OF sundry
groups of our people, and the chances arc
that the Socialists will make a tremendous
effort to coalesce It behind their candidates
The Hilluut candidacy in New York fur
nishes an early example OF this effort. It may
be worth while to watch the maneuverng Of
the Socialists during the next year.