Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-04
Patriotism Mircd i'm Politics

TT has come to pass that nearly every day is
1 Il field day in the United States Congress.
1t is the open season, in which the Republi-
cans may go a-gunning for anything and
everything in any wise connected with the
conduct of the war. 1t matters not that the
war was fought to finish more successful
than even the Republicans themselves be-
lieved could be possible in so short u time.
Apparently they feel that this very fact of
glorious. unQucstioncd success has initiated
against them politically, and i'll consequence
they must lose no time and overlook no OPP
portunity TO tear the halo Of triumph from
the head of the Democratic administration.
under which it was accomplished, discredt
all it has done and block all it is striving to-
do. Ground work for the presidential cam
paign in 1920 must be laid and, although
twenty months must pass before the election;
the G. o. =. will waste time and not de-
sist for moment from it's vicious attacks.
Lodge and Knox follow the lead Of their
political mentor, Colonel Roosevelt. Each,
of course, is Il potential candidate, and each
hopes for the former Presidents support,
bndly trusting that the Oyster Bay sage
will forego further White House ambitions
for himself. All the lesser party lights
following the path beaten down by this tri-
umvirate and the assaults on the admins
iration grow daily in number and in bitter
ness. Lodge and Knox to their discredit be
1T said. are desperately trying to undermine
President Wilson ut home and abroad de-
.stroy the confidence the allied nations repose
IN him and bdlk his efforts for the forma-
ton OF Il league of nations and permanent
peace. If they succeed in this near-treas-
ouable. course. then, when the Republican
Congress comes into power, they may hope
to snatch for themselves and the G. O. p.
whatever glory may attach to the settlement
OF international affairs.
Meanwhile their satellites keep mp the
muddy bombardment. For instance take
one day. Thursday. Weeks, OF Massachus-
cts, Delayed the War Department for its al
iegcd inefficient handling Of the casualty
listS; Green of Iowa, assailcd it for CON
scription in time Of peace" his plant based
on the retention of American arms in France
pending the formal declaration OF peace;
Mann, OF illinois, took whack at it for it's
management of the War Risk Bureau; Mad
den, OF Illinois, Embossed his batteries and
fired at nearly everything in sight with which
the War Department has to do and New,
of Indiana took occasion to call for an in
Vestigatlon Of certain military matters in
| Franco
That is sample of day in Congress-
! All thought OF needful legislation. all pride
III what the United States has done or the
mastcriul manner in which it girded itself
/ lor war and then won that war, all credit TO
TIE men VINO guided its deStinies in those
ia'elul months OF conflict and are guiding
'hem now in this little less perilous time
al thought OF supporting the President in
inc delicate and tremendous task he socks
10 perform, all this has been forgotten and
swallowed up in the mire of politics through
which the Republicans are wading with
l'2o as their goal. Their deliberately
4 chosen course is stencil in the nostrils
OF patriotic citizens at home and a sad
! abroad.