Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-10-28
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. %. 1918
THE SIGNAL OF DISTRESS.

When the leaders of the democratic
party made their program for the
present congressional campaign they
assumed that the war would continue
for an indefinite period The mastery
military genius of General Foch had
not then brought about its starting
changes in the military situation. Few
dared TO hope that before November
an early and complete victory over
Germany would be in sight. The DEM
ocratlc leaders believed that tine coun-
try. in It's united, loyal support of the
war and of our COMMUNICATIVE chief,
would respond to an appeal to sup
port. not the president, but the pres
idents party. in the conduct of the
war, and upon that partisan plea,
camoufaeed as patriotism they pro-
posed to ride back to complete con-
grcssional control
1t was a blunder even when Ger
many was still the aggressor on tho
war fronts and peace seemed far
away. It becomes a fatal blunder
now, when peace, with its readjust-
mcuts and formidable internal prob
lens, is near AT hand. The nation was
and is united in support of the war
and in support of the president in the
conduct of the war. Congress, the
leaders of both parties cooperating,
surrendered to the president many of
its constitutional powers; voted him
greater authority than is exercised by
the head of any other nation. In do
ing this congress simply voiced the
united will of the American people.
Loyalty and its expression could go no
further. 1t was and is absolute as
regards men of all parties. 1t will re-
main so.
When the democratic leaders intro
duced their campaign with its partisan
plea for support for democratic con
gress, when they questioned the loyal
" of their opponents, when they un-
dertook to ride the patriotism of this
people to a party victory, they aroused
not only the resentment of republic
ans. but also of the great and growing
Independent vote of this nation, which
resented the assault upon the patriot
ism of their fellow citizens. The re-
action set in Immediately. 1t required
only a few instances like the telegram
sent by Senator A. A. Jones to the
democratic convention at Santa Fe tot
reveal the whole plan of the demo-
cratic campaign and its purpose. TheI
resentment of the people made itself
felt all over the country. The demo-
cratic leaders persisted in their policy
of demanding a party victory and par
tisan conduct of the war, camouflaged
as patriotism
Resentment of this effort to~use the
patriotism of the American people for
political purposes might have beenl
stifled had the war situation continued
as it stood year, six or even three
months ago. But it has become APP
parent now to all of us that Germany
must soon agree to the UNCONDITIONAL
military surrender which the allies
will demand. 1t has become apparent,
to all of us, also that what the demo-
Gratis are appealing for is not support
of the president for the conduct of the
war, since that has been given ahso-
lutely and will continue TO be given sol
long as the war continues, but that
they are seeking democratic party con-
troll of congress for the afterwarl
period. And as the American people
have realized this palable effort toI
play upon their patriotism for partisan
ends. their resentment has increased
tenfold.
In the populous eastern states, inl
the middle west and in the west the |
tide of public sentiment has turned,
not against the president, but againstl
the democratic party and its man.
ayers. because of the monumental
blunder in attempting to fool the peo-
pie. The democratic leaders realize
their blunder now, but 1t is too late to-
change their program. No new issuel
can be brought forward. The thing
must be carried through. Democraticl
leaders who have heretofore kept inl
the background have come forward inl
the emergency. Cabinet members
have been called upon to rally their
followngs and to use their great in
fluence Even the president of thel
United States has been prevailed upon
10 make partisan appeal for support
for his party. IT is the democraticI
party's signal of distress; the rallyingI
cry in desperate situation brought
about by their own laundering miscon-