The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1918-11-02
EDITORIAL PAGE OF
The Congressional Campaign Ends With the Democrats
Facing Defeat; Largely Through Mistakes of Leadership

IIREE months ago when men discussed the
1915 congressional election it was very gencr-
ally taken for granted, because of the ruor-
nous advantages OF position they held, that the
democrats would win with ease. The war aud is
problems absorbed us. The problems of treaty max.
ing aud Of rcadjustment were not then Immediately
al hand. ~ they are today. The disposition 10 for
get partisan politics was general
Today the Indifference to the election result
has vanished and ia It's place has come with start
ling SuddcnncSS. an interest in the congressional
election that is more intense than any heretofore
,hown in other than q presidential contest. Within
hrcc months the vast advantages of position held
by the democrats have been lost and the campaign
that is closing today finds the democratic party fac.
ing certain loss of the mouse of representatives, and
the more than probable loss of a senate majority in
Tuesday 5 election,
The popular uphcaval that has brought about
this change has resulted almost wholly through
mistakes of democratic leaders. mistakes due To
their amazing failure to understand the American
people and our attitude toward the war. The whole
list of active democratic partisan leaders have par
ticipatcd IA this inability To comprehend that the
American people did not engage heart and soul ~
fighting this war because Woodrow Wilson Is pres
idcnt. and at the instance of the democratic party
but because OF their cagcrncss to grapplc with the
forces of evil that pillagcd and raped Belgium and
laid waste northern France.
The people approved the vast powers delegated
10 the president 10y congress for the conduct of the
war. They approved when the railroads were taken
over and put in charge of McAdoo. They approved
when BurlcSou was placed IN charge of the wire
lines. They cundoncd the aIrplanc scandal. the
Baker laundering. the Crccl incident. the censor
ship-cvcrything that was necessary or that the adj
ministration said was necessary for wagIug war
effectively and they gave their money 10 war
work, loaned it to war financing, sacrificed money
and comfort with cagcrnc>N and gave their sons
with pride.
When. in the developments of this campaign
il became evident, from Mr.. Wilson 5 attitude aud
that of his associates in partisan leadership, that
they believed the people had done all this because
of loyalty 10 the man. Woodrow Wilson, and in
support of his political party, the American people
were amazed. When il was maze clear that these
leaders failed to comprehend that America had
united, forgotten political differences and wcloom-
ed sacrifice solely because of loyalty 10 the prcsi-
dental office aS head of the great nation they love.
and in defense Of liberty here and throughout the
world, and when democratic partisanship was
forced more and more INTO then notice. us an essen.
tial part of loyalty, they were shocked.
And when, in addition 10 this exhibition of
sublime cgotiSm, it became plain that Woodrow
Wilson and his partisan associates proposed 10 con.
tinue their party in power AFTER THE WAR by
making democratic partisanship q test of patriot
ism; a wave of resentment and anger swept over
the nation.
The democrats should have taken warning
from earlier election results of tins year. MauN
democrats who do not adhere bliudly to the Wi.
sonian theories OF democracy actually did take
warning They pointed out the return by Maine
OF a solid republican delegation, against the appeal