The Washington herald., 1918-09-17

which we write today-this years
elections.
We have talked about 1t with some
of Americas greatest men. and have
considered 1t from the standpoint OF
their welfare.
We have talked about II with some
OF Americas greatest Republicans
and have considered II from the
standpoint of their welfare.
We have talked about II with many
of Americas 100 per cent patriots. her
soldiers, commissioned. non-commis-
stoned and privates. and have consid
cred 1t from the standpoint OF their
welfare.
And we have thought about 1t from
the standpoint of the desires-the
obviously devout desires-of the
Kaiser and his advisors.
And the more we think the palmer
II becomes to US that this years elec-
tions can and should be viewed from
but one standpoint-and this, we say
without fear of contradiction, Is the
patriotic standpoint.
Granted this then. and considering
this as both major and minor premise,
! there can be only one conclusion. and
this that every patriot should view
this years elections from tho stand
point of our President. and should fol-
low explicitly his direction and
wishes.
This is taking a new step. It is q
step that peace could not Justify, but
which this war will abundantly JUS
tify. even before it is finished.
Such a proposal means the shatter-
ing of precedents without number. 1t
means the crucifixion OF some OF the
most ardent beliefs of many of
Americas most noted men and most
intense patriots. It means the tempo
rary severance of political ties. the
abandonment of long-established and
of principles which many men have
considered equitable and necessary.
1t means much more than we can
set down here-but adherence to this
proposal means more than all these
things. and we say solemnly that dis
regard for II would render valueless
and perhaps forever strike down
these things which seem only to stand
| in the way.
Recognition OF this proposal would
| mean a sacrifice OF opinion to us,
personally, we might interject here. 1t
would compel us to acQuiesce in
the election Of Henry Ford as United
States Senator in Michigan. But we
are ready and willing to bow to Presi-
Dental wishes in this-to give instant
and hearty patriotic support to the
| President as long as he considers Mr..
Ford one necessary. infnitesimal part
OF his program to win the war. The
sacrifice of our personal opinion.
| fortified or not as it may be with
stable reasons. we count as dross,
after all. When we view the larger
problem and the obvious duty it in
curs and when we think what new
meanings have been given the word
sacrifice" by this war. we can only
say. MIR. President, sir, what have
you for me to do?'
Continuing-the President is Com
mander-in-Chitf OF our armies. and
our navy He is head OF our civil
government. But In war there is no
civil government. All is military.
There is but one function of gov
ernment in war-particularly a war
/ like this-and that function is to win
the war Towards that end every
soldiers energy should be directed
/ and every civilians energy and re-
sources as well. Toward that end the
energies and resources of all soldiers
and civilians MUST be directed or
we fail. Commander-in-Chief then of
our united army OF righteousness
and force, the President has power.
and II is his duty, to direct orders
| to every civilian and every soldier.
And II is not two much for him to
expect that all orders shall be obeyed,
and that every wish he expresses,
70
| do with the waGing OF the war, shall
be instantly and heartily fulfilled.
Going further-there Is not one word
here set down which reflects on the
honor or patriotism of the Republican
party or Republican candidates
against whom the President has or
will express himself. These Re-
publicans are unquestionably as
anxious to win the war as the Presi-
dent himself. They have their blood
in this war. and they have more
blood pledged Their money Is in
this war, and they will contribute
more OF II as the war goes on. But
\ they must not forget that in waging
| this war the President is supreme and
he must have aides, in Congress and
| in the States. who will follow only
where he leads and will always fol-
low there. It is not the question of
WILL those opposed to the Presi-
dents preferred candidates do this?"
| but, "CAN those opposed to the
Presidents preferred candidates do
this?" In our opinion they cannot
do so, for the very decisive reason
that they are not the Presidents pre-
ferred candidates. This reason Is
sufficient and conclusive, and should
need no elaboration to point the way
clearly to the duty of patriots. There
is no need to say here what the
Kaiser would think of the selection,
in our country, of candidates who
oppose the Presidents preferred can
didates. -
We do not expect you. gentle
reader, to instantly agree with what
you have perused in the foregoing
paragraphs. We might be suspi-
cious of either your lack of interest
or insincerity. IL you have not given
though to this matter, and II in
stantIy. upon its initial presentation
BY us. you amicably suggested II as
your own sentiment. But IL you
will give it second reading, to-
night or tomorrow or next week,
we'u take our chances on your
Judgment. We think you'll see the
very virile reasons why partisanship
and personal opinion and prejudice
and jealousy and all else should be
utterly abandoned this year and
why, only because your President
says so. you should do what he bids
you at the polls ..
There will be enough time, after
the war is won, for partisanship
and personal opinions to be given
vent. There is no time, when we
are at our crisis in a worid-em-
bracing war. when either partisan-
ship or personal opinions should be
nl1nurad tn interfere with nnr cnrn-