New-York tribune., 1918-10-21
The War and the Election


While the Liberty Loan campaign was
on politics was "adjourned." Properly
so. Putting the loan "over the top' vas
the concern of all parties and all voters.
It was no time for partisan discussion.
Such discussion would not have been
tolerated
Nor is there time now for partisan
appeals which drag in the war as the
private property of any party. We are
all behind the war. 1t belongs as much
non-voters as much as tc the voters. 1t
cannot be turned into an exclusive asset
of the Democracy simply because the
Democracy is at present in power in
Washington.
"The Washington Post" reprinted the
other day a circular distributed by Dema
ocratic workers in Chicago theatres
where Four Minute Men were soliciting
Liberty Loan subscriptions. 1t read, in
part: Stand by Wilson over here;
Pershing over there-and win.
Don't spoil it all now by letting the cleo
ltOH ~ c1SdlliSO tllt EONSl
This circular marks a toning down Of
the drivel issued last month under the
signature of W. d. Jameson, assistant
treasurer of the Democratic National
Committee Mr. Jameson wrote:
The election of a Republican Congress
would be viewed as defeat for President
Wilson by our allies. and particularly by
our enemies. 1t would be viewed in Ger
many as a proof of their (Sic) unwar-
ranted claim that our country is not be-
hind our war President. 1t would be "a
source of comfort and elation to the
Kaiser and his cohorts.
1t might be a source of comfort and
elation to the Kaiser and his cohorts if
they could persuade themselves that the
election of a Republican Congress would
in any way slow up the prosecution of
the war or tend to soften the condit ons
on which Germany hopes to secure
peace. But if the Germans have had
time to follow American politics they
certainly can cherish no such illusions.
They know that the Republican party is
heart and soul for war to a finish. for
unconditional surrender and for the i'm
position on the enemy of terms which
will compel full reparation on his part
and make him absolutely incapable of
further devitry.
The Republican party is 100 per
cent war party. Its success in the
Congress elections would have no paci-
fist, defeatist or peace-by negotiation
implications. The war spirit of the gov
eminent could not be weakened by Re-
publican victory. Ask the opinion of
those who are covertly hoping and work
ing for white peace" with Germany
How many of them would be "comforted
and elated" if two weeks hence the Re-
pubicans should regain control of Con-
gress?
The Republican party is the normal
majority party in the country. 1t has
been unduly excluded from partic patton
in the conduct of the war 1t is equitably
entitled to larger participation. 1t is
also entitled to fuller voice in peace
settlements and in the vast adjustments
in national life which are to come after
the war.
No voter can therefore be censured for
wishing to see Republican Congress
elected. The reproach that he is letting
the election ''go against the government"
can have no sting in it. The government
is his, and he is the sole judge of hi. own
patriotic intentions and Of the righteous
ness of his purpose to bring about
German surrender on terms which ade-
quately punish Germany's crimes.
1t is less important that Congress
should be with the Administration"
than that it should be with the country.
Let the country speak its mind in the
coming elections. That is what elections
are for. And if they go against 1.-The
government the reactions which we
shall have the least possible cause to
worry about will be fiag-raising in
Potsdam and spasm of elation in Ber
lin.