The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1912-1921, 1918-10-26

the old school and belong to one of the two great
parties,-is so stepped in traditional opposition
during campaign time to anything which the
other party may say that ne cannot, try as he
will, interpret anything except by his party plat
form. For this reason we fOresee that the Re-
publicans will take exception, vigorously and va
riously, to the Presidents appeal issued yester-
day for support in the November elections in or
der that Democratic congress may be returned
with which he can work They will do it in the
face of the nature of the appeal which is conspic-
uously super-partsan.
We cannot but hold it as national suicide to
deny-to the nations leader the right to make a
direct appeal to his people for support in cases
of emergency. We should distrust the relation
ship between leader and people it, in the emer-
gency, his wishes could not be impaired to his
people Whatever the tradition may be in the
matter is immaterial Presidents may not have
been in the habit of issuing such appeals as Pres
ident Wilson issued yesterday. But there has
never been a President who has been before the
world as Mr.. Wilson, and it is beside the question
to argue lack of precedent
The move should be Judged solely upon its own
merits. The President says explicitly that he
aoes not ask the support for his own sake nor
tor the sake of his party. He denies that he has
any thought that "any political party is para
mount in matters of patriotism" His appeal is
for support for him as a NATIONAL LEADER
in critical time. 1t is not for the sake of the
Democrats, it is not to keep the Republicans in
the minority. In essence, the appeal is for a
vote of confidence which will be interpreted by
the world The nations of the world understand
our system of government sufficiently well to
know that change of complexion in Congress
means shifting of leadership. There is no
clouding this fact. At home we might not be so
quick in placing such construction upon Re-
publican victory, but the nations abroad will not
look at it in any other way.
The Presidents appeal is above partisanship
and above politics 1t is the prime ministers APP
peal to his countrymen for All expression of opin-
ion
We are quite sure that the country does ap-
prove of the Presidents conduct of the war Re-
publicans, in and out of Congress, have support
ed the war program. They have followed Will
sons leadership gladly. He now comes to them
and asks them to prove to the world conclusive
ly that they are behind him by eecting Demo-
cratic congress. 1t is the "acid test, to use an
overworked phrase, for the opposition.
The Republicans will attempt to explain the APP
peal purely as Democratic campaign document.
We suppose they will confuse some people, but
we believe those people will not be numerous,
just as we believe that the conscience of some
Republicans whose patriotism is not bounded by
politics will compel them both to vote for and
work for President Wilson.
The appeal is quite in keeping with the Pres
ident's earlier statement that politics is adj
journed". He attempts in this statement to
translate his theory into practice by calling upon
the people,-not Democrats or Republicans as
such, but all people-to support the national
leader while he is engaged upon a national, -
not Democratic or Republlcan,-undertak
and for the successful prosecution of which he
rnuSt have national crnnort