Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-03
Nation Votes for q Change

IT, HE nation has spoken Ii has lifted I'D
/ its voice at tho polls in the great
solemn referendum" 1t has declared that
Il desires change in the political COM
plexion or the national administration, with
Warren q. Harding as its next President
But even in tho overwhelming majority
that has been recorded for tho Republican
ticket there cannot be read a clear mandate
against an association OF nations that shall
bring permanent peace into The world
To this result. which is not altogether
surprising except in its dccisireness, sew
oral underlying causes have contributed
FIRST III Importance was the national psy-
chology. which demanded change; next,
the belief OF perhaps 4 majority of even
the Republicans that such party leaders as
TAFT. Root and Hughes spoke truth when
they declared that Harding really favored
an association OF nations, and, last, IA vague
feeling OF dissatisfaction on the part OF The
people. regardless of party, who believed
that the President had been unnecessarily
arbitrary in insisting on the ratification Of
the covenant OF the league Of nations as it
Lao Dccn ufaltcu al versailles.
The national unrest, tho indelnnble de-
sire for change, admittedly was strong
and widespread 1t was psychological
condition that was natural following the
termination OF great war. in which, while
tho nation was triumphant, burden OF
taxation was piled up that bore heavily on
The shoulders Of the people. During the
period OF reconstruction, with its high
prices and ve1aGous governmental interfer-
ence with business, the administration has
had 10 bear the blanc for all the unavoid-
able yet annoying incidents growing out of
the process of readiustment Unreasoning
and illogical. tho people demanded the
change which they now have effected by
their votes.
Even on the face OF his overwh Ginning
majority, there exists a reasonable doubt
that had the nation taken Harding at his
word and believed that he contemplated q
reputation Of the national faith by refus-
Ing 10 lead the United States into an asso-
citation of nations for the preservation OF
world peace, lie would not now be the
Prosidcnt-elcct Tho people approve the
principle Of the league of nations, even II
they have voted to reject the Wilson league
and they have preferred 10 place their con-
iidencc i'll the Tafts and the Roots rather
than in the Johnsons and the Borahs. Fate
OF the league cannot be positively indicated
until the personnel OF the Senate is def
nitely fixed, but il is safe prediction that
America Will not be a traitor TO its dead.
While at this time an analysis OF the vote
1nanifestly Is impossible, it is certain that
The womens vote went strongly fo- Harding:
mat labor, dividing along traditional lines.
also threw him much OF its support. and
that he captured the various racial gropps
James NJ. Cox made clean, manly. ar
gressiye fight agains; overpowering odds
He is defeated, but not Inundated. He has
made the greatest one-Inan fight in the
political history of the country, and IN bis
courageous. resourceful campaign he has
marked himself as one OF the really bip
men IN the Democratic party.
Hope the feminine influence win do IN,
the ballot what it has done for skirts and
shorten EN- un