The Washington herald., 1920-11-03
A Victory, and After.


the triumph OF Harding and Coolidge suffers not
Wht by the fact that the electorate had given un-
mistakabe signs OF preparing for radical change
OF party control Into the hands of these two
gentlemen the administration of the affairs OF the
nation is handed by popular vote of confidence
never equaed since the election of Roosevelt and
after campaign which on their part at least was
conducted on high plane of dignity and restraint
They arc to be appauded less upon their manner
OF attaining victory, than upon the stunning nature
and extent of the defeat they have inflicted upon
the enemy.
The measure OF the triumph of successful
candidate may mislead him, and his followers un-
less they give to it more careful analysis than
victorious party is apt to bestow upon the Cir
cumStances OF its success Politicians arc prone 10
look upon sweeping victory at the polls as ndi-
catlve OF such unity the part OF their party
support as to give them free hand in the exer-
else OF the power conferred upon them Election
by narrow margin is apt to intensity the sense
OF responsibility to the people. An enormous ma
Jority in the electoral college not infrequcny pro-
duCCS the opposite result
Senator Harding has been elected by party
united in the one purpose OF putting the Demo-
cratic party out OF power, but otherwise sorcIy
divided issues with which his administration
will have to deal His vote furthermore widely
uanScends party lines, for he had in his support
I1numerablc Democrats driven from their own
party by the auocratic methods Of those who con-
Toued It But even Ignoring these Democratic
ALLIES, WHO can claim share in his adminstra-
ton, he must recognize the fact that within his
own party, within its organization in Senate and
House, there are sharp dTvergences OF opinion on
questions in controversy, aad on broad lines OF
policy. that will his admitted tact and sense
OF justice TO harmonic.
The question OF the entrance OF the United
States upon the League OF Nations is only one,
and perhaps not the most enduring OF these oues-
| uonS- OpOn II will arise controversy which, un-
less wisely adjusted, may shake the very founda-
tonS OF the administration
The Washington Herald has steadily maintained
that the participation of this nation in an organiza-
ton to assure the maintenance Of peace was more
certain with the election of Senator Harding than
it could possibly be with the retention of the
Democratic party in power We believe today
that analysis OF the election returns shows that
an overwhelming majority of the American people
favor such action on the part OF this government
But while the indications are that the new
administration will have behind it majority in
the Senate 1t IS impossible for it to count on the
two-thlrds vote necessary for the ratification of
any treaty, unless it make successful appeal to
the Democratic side Of the chamber The foes OF
any sort OF international agreement among the
Republicans few in number but singuIarIv
bitter and nSStent in their opposition II is
not oHerStating the case to say that the election
returns show that any surrender to this et.
ment will be action in opposition to the expressed
desire OF the voters who have installed the Repub-
lican party again in power.
| Determination OF this international issuc will
be the first perplexng task to confront the admin
istration But it should be soon out Of the yav
More vital to the continuing strength and pro-
longaton OF the power of the party will be the
attitude assumed toward issues which the pcopIc
have come to look upon constituting a progress
siye programme.
Nobody better than Senator Harding himself
knows that he has not been looked upon as in
sympathy with the progressive wing OF the Re-
publican party. Yet the leaders Of that wing so
tar as We can recall without prominent execution
gave hearty and effective support to his candidacy
The few who did abandon him did so because Of
doubt as to his attitude upon the League Of Ma
tons-doubt necessarily stimulated by the activity
OF such bitter enders" as Senators Johnson and
Borah in his support. There were but few spcb
however, and Senator Harding will enter upon his
presidential term with the progressive element
ready and eager to give him hearty SUPPORT # he
shall not brusquely repel it.
And this element is one with which anv r.
publican President must reckon if he desires to
|conduct successful administration The progress
|sive sentiment was not created BY Roosevelt nor
ibid it die with him His unique qualities of lead
|ership may be readily replaced but il is GER
balm that, should the evils against which his revolt
was directed reappear, there will be found leaders
fo take his place.
But there is for them to reappear.
Pin the measure OF the Harding victory there is
both warning and encouragement As we
have pointed out the warning is against regarding
Fl too unequivocal vote Of entire confidence
ION the part of all factions in the party. On the
|pther hand there is Encouragement in it, as show
bng to the successful candidate that there is behind
him so large proportion OF all the clements Of
political strength that he need not ascribe his
success to any single influence or power
Upon the attitude Of the incoming adminstra-
|.;, toward the snrit of oroer.ssv;sr, ,,,o,, ,b.