Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-10-29
TUESDAY. OCTOBER %, 1915
Meaning of an Adverse Verdict.


In the extremely Democratic system
of government that has long prevailed
in England, sensitive at all times to pubic
opinion and obedient at all times TO q
positive expression of that opinion in the
House of Commons, the defeat Of the
administration IN test vote In that
body means dissolution and a reference OF
the matter In dispute TO the people, throug
the election of new popular legislative
BODY. And by the verdict of the people
the administration stands or tails. The
effect Of this system is that the national
administration is always in accord with
public sentiment, as expressed by repre-
sentatives of the people in the House OF
Commons or, in the event of an election,
as represented by majority of the MEM
bcrs chosen to that body.
II is not So in our country An adj
ministration chosen at a Presidential
election continues uninterrupted for four
wears. There have been times notably
in 1874, in 1882, in 1890 and in 1891
when the ''off-year' elections for members
of Congress resulted in the election OF
House of Representatives adverse ID
political sentiment To the national adj
ministration. Notwithstanding this re-
pudiation by the people, the national
administration remained unchanged, IN
accordance with our system OF govern
ment. But national administrations and
their faithful supporters never rcllshed
these public rebukes administered by the
people at the halfway station.
The ele ction of next Tuesday Is Of this
character, when the people Will determine,
by their choice of members of the House
of Representatives, and also Of United
States Senators, whether they will indorse
the war policies OF President Wilson, or
rcpudiate them Whether they Will sJIs-
tain him in what he has already done.
or submit the country 10 the uncertain
ties of political change in the Congress.
at a most critical time,
II is as certain as anything can be that
the partisan enemies OF the admlnistra-
ton who are now working TO bring about
a change in the political complexion OF
the Congress. are earnestly supported
by all the many friends Of and sympa-
rhizers with Germany who abound alto
gether too numerously in every section
of our country Also that the news OF
such a verdict by the people 81 next Tues
DAYS election would bring Joy to the
heart OF Kaiser Wilhelm and all the auto
cratic, despicable members Of hIs political
household
There is no doubt of the correctness
Of this estimate II is plainly apparent,
here at home and abroad. President
Wilson, today, is the most hated man IL
the vinoictive minds of the German leaders
and OF the German people who still blindly
support them. Driven to desperation
by the absolute certainty OF German
defeat since the entrance of our country
into the Great War, and, by the marvellous
work that has been done in sending
American armies abroad, together with |
ample supplies and munitions, and by the |
magnificent fighting of our brave soldiers |
In many desperate battles. German |
hatred of the United States, and especially |
of President Wilson, is bitter and intense. |
1t would be cause of enormous Joy to |
every German supporter and well-wisher |
the world over should the popular verdict |
at next Tuesdays election be adverse |
to the national administration
1t is impossible to believe the people |
of our country, in this crisis, Will do what |
Germany ardently desires them to do |
On the contrary, it is far more probable |
they will vote Overwhelmingly in support |
and Endorsement of the administration
that has done so much to WIN the great
world war for democracy and popular
government.
And the people of Delaware may do
their part to this end by cordially re-
electing Senator Salisbury and Repre-
sentative Polk
The f,arrpap Miuicf rxy NOM aJ.yovnac