The courier-index., 1918-11-15

vicariously through political leaders
or by means of the money chest.
There was a great hue and cry that
Wilson was attempting to dictate to
the country, and that he wanted
situation where he could play the
role of Caesar Imperator. AS to its
expediency the result seems to show
that he made a political misplay.
Wilson was frank, honest and di-
rect. If he had been hypocritical,
pharisaical and indirect he might
have secured better results. Phar
isaism in politics, in business ano
even in custom is sometimes more
effective than directnss.
The progress of colossal events war
ranted a vote of boundless confidence
in Wilson. Months ago he was re-
luctant to declare war against Turk
ey and Bulgaria. Bulgaria and Turk
ey both surrendered, thinking maybe
the United States would not permit
them to be destroyed. Austria sur
rendered with the feeling that Presi-
dent Wilson would object to her
lands being laid waste, her cities
ruined and her women and children
killed.
Wilson'S diplomacy, which at times
was unpopular in this country, we
believe speeded the surrender OF
Bulgaria, Turkey and Austria. The
collapse of these powers sealed the
fate of Germany.
A week before the election Ger
many was Keeling and at the very
hour of the voting the death SEN
tence of the German empire was be-
ing pronounced.
On election day victory was crown
ing the brow of Columbia. Pershing,
whom Wilson had appointed COM
mander-in-chief in France, was driv-
ing northward from Verdun and his
soldiers were carrying aloft the ban
ner of the United States under the
sun which on those fields through
the ages had shown on vanqulshed
and victorious armies.
The Germans felt that if driven
out of West Belgium their legions
could stand firmly on the Mouse.
The American army was driving and.
was driving on both sides of this
famous river.
The navy has co-operated in escort
ing 100000 American soldiers to
France. Two thousand journeys
have been made by troop ships and
only one has been fatally struck by
a torpedo.
The political opponents of the
president decline to let these things
be of any credit to his campaign.
Suppose Pershing's army had been
beaten? Suppose that 10 or 20
transports had been sunk and $4,000
American soldiers had been drowned
at sea; then, indeed, would we have
heard the Damnation of Daniels, Ba-
kerr Pershing and Benson, and the
condemnation of Wilson for permit
ting such men to have charge of the
army and navy and of the United
States. Success has its penalties,
as W6ll DIS It's IOllPCiSotiOio, dhN ~
seems as if many voters desire to
exact penalties from Wilson before
granting him the compensation for
well doing.
Other things entered into the re-
suit. Several senatorships were lost
because of factionalism. Folk was
an unpopular candidate in Missouri
He should not have made the race
against the appointee of Gardner.
but he did Old line Democrats did
not warm to him. Antiprohibitionists
determined to vote against him. In
st. Louis there was combination
between vets and pro-Germans, pas
sive but ironclad. and st. Louis roll
ed up an enormous majority against
Folk
In Illinois Lewis was a picturesque
but not strong candidate. In that
state the bloody shirt was waved
against the south with q c much VigOr