The Washington herald., 1918-11-08

lM -,
The game is on for the Presidency
in 1920.
The affair will be staged here in
Washington for the next two years.
The Republicans will try to gain the
goal. The Democrats, with a de-
pieted Congressional representation,
VIII try to prevent them from
There were all manner of stories
around the city yesterday as to what
stood in likely prospect for immedi-
ate opening of the game. Two points
were spoken of rather frankly by
some of the Republicans, who as yet
however. had not ha6 time to confer
with their leaders over the outlook.
One was that the revenue bill
would be held up until March 4,
when the President would be forced
to call an extra session OF Congress
in order to get the new revenue leg
islation out of the way.
Another point was that similar 'ac-
tion would be taken on the peace
treaties-that enough Republicans to
insure their ratification would not be
promised because they would de-
mand- first of all that the treaties
be made according to Republican
specifications and not according to
the specifications of the President.
The latter step can be taken be-
cause the Democrats must secure
twelve Republican votes in order to
re- tify the peace treaties. or course
the Republicans-after March r.
would have to secure at least fifteen
Democratic votes to ratify their
peace treaties, but the burden OF re-
sponsibility for delay would be upon
the Democrats more than the Re-
publicans then, some of the leaders
argue, and the Democrats could not
longer hold up the important docu-
ments.
All of which means that politics
will be uppermost for the next two
years and that real activity VIII De
indulged in by both parties-by the
Republicans to achieve the Presi-
dency. and by the Democrats to pre-
vent them from doing so.
But all is not roses for the Repuo-
licans.
The New York World, while very
partisan organ, holds out this pros
be dominated by Senators Lodge, PEN
rose, Smoot, Brandegee. and small
eoterie of standpat Western Senators.
The House will Immediately go back
to the Cannon system. 1t was stated
today by prominent Republicans that
the old way of having the Spea ker
dictate the committee Chairmanshlps
will be resumed. That would bring
back the Speakers cabinet, and make
the Speaker all powerful"
Which means that Western States
which have joined the Republican
column in the hope of continuing
progressivism in power are to be
sorely disappointed.
Naturally, the only leader who can
straighten out the tangie will be
the original Bull Mooser, Theodore
Roosevelt himself. who may claim
as his prize for doing so the Pres
idential nomination OF his party. 1t
will all be interesting to observe, and
the man who does not live in this
atmos phere of doubt and indecision
for the merit two years will be miss
ing something indeed.
Politics Is bound to bring disap-
pointment to those who indulge in
the game. yet it appears that the
number of candidates for Office has
never been cut down because of the
dangers.
The splendid part about American
government is that great parties can
play the game and then accept the
results with fortitude and always
hope that the next change will be
to their benefit But these words of
President Lincoln can well be writ
ten into present history. so that not
all the bad effects of the late cleo
tiOn will be enduring. Said he after
the Presidential election of 1864:
The strife OF this election is but
human nature practically applied to
the facts of the case. What has oc-
CURED in this case must ever recur
in similar cases. Human nature will
not change. In any future great ma
tional trial, compared with the men
of this we shall have as weak and
as strong, as silly and as wise. as
bad and as good Let US therefore
study the incidents of this as phil
osophy to learn wisdom from. and
none of them as wrongs to be
avenged"
Peace,
How good the word-and how we'll
it sounds when it has been ap-
preached after our unremitting toll
abroad and after We have let the
enemy know he must subscribe to
our terms instead of his own.
There are great things ahead of
this country and the world. There
are things we must bend our ener-
gies to and there are things in
which we will have to have the
united interest and intelligence of
both parties and all citizens.
We enter the future with hopeful
ness and we know that America will
meet her problems with the same
spirit she has met her war problems.
America undefeated America
loyal America the blessed peace
maker of the world. What she has
given to the world in the past year
and a half will be as bread cast
upon the waters coming back to
bless her and sustain her and make
her peerless through centuries to
come.
THE OBSERVER.