Evening star., 1924-11-05
The Nations Will.

1tSteEudE the American lsaopiC once
more chose their leader and their law
makers in an election which in some
respects stands unique in the history
of the country. With a total vote
now estimated at 30,o00,o00, the
largest ever cast. Mr.. Coolidge was
chosen for President by il plurality
of approximately 100000, and
majority over both Of his contestants
combined of 6,000,0 900. At the latest
reckoning he will receive 319 electoral
votes, with 139 cast for Davis and 13
for La Toilette.
This is Il remarkable tribute to the
personal character of the Republican
candidates. notably that of the Presi-
dent. During the Is months of his
service in the White House he has
impressed the country with his
scrupulous integrity, with his cour-
age based on a conscientious devotion
10 duty and belief in the principles Of
sound Government, and with his
common sense and patriotic wisdom
in administration. Though he has
been confronted by an adverse Con
Sress. made such by the obstruc.
tive factionalism Of a group of legis
lators nominally of his own party, he
has accomplished results for Il busi-
nesslike, economical and yet progress
siye administra ton.
In the contest which closed yester-
day Mr.. Coolidge was faced with u
double opposition. An independent
movement had started under the lead
crship of one who had gained the ca:
and to some extent apparently the
support of a large number OF people
threatening to cut deeply into the
Republican strength, particularly in
the Northwest. The Democratic party,
though shaken by the bitter contests
in the nominating convention, pre-
sented a strong, able man of the high
est character as its candidate and
apparently united, waged a strong
campaign, aggressive and comprehen-
sive.
The result has proved first Of all
that the third-party movement is a
far short OF being a balance of power
in the Northwestern States and bare
ly sufficient in his own State of Wis
consin 10 give him its electoral votes.
1t has proved in the second place
that the people are not disposed to
visit upon the President and his party
as now constituted punishment for
shortcomings that have been al
ready corrected. With the people
convinced of the unshakable honesty
Of Mr.. Coolidge the sharp weapon
forged out of maladministration in a
particular instance in one department
of the preceding administration, strik-
ing him, dropped harmless and blunt
ed to the ground.
The result has proved, Furthermore,
that there is no dominant wish for
change in the method Of Interpreting
the Constitution, a duty now intrust.
ed to the Supreme Court. 1t has
proved that there is no large public
support Of radicalism in this country.
Finally, this result proves that the
people are competent to choose for
themselves in a national election.
They have overwhelmingly manifest
ed their will. The election will not be
referred to Congress, which, in it's
present state Of division, would be in
capable of a decision in accord with
the manifest desire of the majority.
President Coolidge closed the cam
paign with a non-partisan appeal to
the people to go to the polls and vote
as their consciences dictated. They
have done so, 80 millions or more of
them, and by reason of this record
breaking expression the country
stands forth with proclamation Of
it's will 50 unmistakable, so over
whelnling that no man can ques-
ton it.
An election such as this assures. as
Lincoln said, that Government Of the
people, by the people, for the people,
shall 4ot perish from the EARTH