Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-09
Soldier Power III Politics

SURNEf OF returns OF recent elections i'll
~ several States shows no rush to vote for
soldier candidates. Those who won seem to
have done so on their merits as citizens and
men or the faults or weaknesses OF their
opponents, regardless OF military records
The leading candidate for President at this
moment is General Wood, who was not al
lowed to go abroad and whose strength is in
his achievements as an executive official and
not i'll his army work or deeds. Evidently
the people are not yet ready to reward with
Office service in the army unless it is backed
by other qualifications. Unless the popular
temper changes, incompetent, unpopular and
doubtful men Will be unable to cash in on
war records solely, and those politicians who
already are preparing to make "a speciality OF
the soldier vote and to ride into jobs, or back
into them soldier backs are doomed to
disappointment.
The soldiers themselves generally. are
taking thoroughly honorable. manly and
sensible position. They are not rallying APP
probably to those who angle for their sup
port with impossible and unwlse suggestions
ana promises. They are asking only the re-
wards due for the faithful doing of a plain
duty. Understanding that their valor and
service saved the world from Hun. tyranny
they understand also that they fought and
wrought as much for their own sukcs as for
others, and that they met responsibility
that was put upon them when they became
male citizens Of the Commonwealth
Many OF the more hystcrical and inpor-
tunate politicians, OF various grades and de-
grees of Importance forget or ignore the
1acts ana underestimate the intelligence OF
the soldier. They picture him as an un-
selfish and devoted hero and martyr Offer
Ing life and blood for the rescue of those
having no claim on his generosity and for a
country Ill which he had no interest Of his
own. The truth is he fought for the pro-
lection OF his own life, liberty, home and
properly, present or prospective, for his
family and his children born or to be born
hereafter, AS citizen OF the republic he
owed service to the government at its time
OF need as directly and certainly> AS any debt
that can be owed. 1t is part of the general
ana mutual bargain which organized So
clety and all civilized governments are es-
taoilshed. We expect and receive the pro
tection ana help Of our governments for our
selves and all we have. In return we are
expected, and by universal consent agree. to
perform certain duties to do fair shares of
the work of maintaining and enforcing the
la"s' 10 pay taxes, TO fight or give such other
seif!ce as we can when the country is at war
"hiic SO much mushy and frothy stuff is
Deing poured out upon us, it is we'll to keen
pelore ourselves these rugged fundamentals.
we owe the soldier what VIC owe any
citizen who has paid his debts and fulfilled
r..., "'S"'ioh' " INC puonc, his
iahhiS ana his community. When he has
peeh injured in our service-in promotnp
the general welfare-we owe him all We can
10 TO make him as capable and to give hin,
as good chance in life as he had We owe
MN respect and affection because he Mas
caiied on for unusually trying and dangerous
outv ana did 1t handsomely. We do not owe
MN endless coddling and special fuvors and
gifts and tho great majority of him is nor
asking them lie is not calling for cortrol
OIL all our affairs or easy living in idIcncss
Tor me rest of his life as return for his six
months or two years in the army, abroad or
here. W VI