Evening star., 1952-11-05
In the Hour of Victory

AS the astonishing scope Of the Republican
triumph expands with each fresh return from
the ballot boxes, there must be many thousands
Of people, including the most ardent Eisenhower
supporters, who are asking themselves: Just
what does this mean?
The Democrats went into this election with
most Of the traditional political omens pointing
to another victory for them.
They were supposed to be the benehciaries Of
the tested axiom that the American people never
repudiate an incumbent party in a time of pros
perity. All the power-and it is potent power
of the Federal machine was thrown behind the
Democratic ticket. They had a good candidate
man Of ability and integrity who had been
elected Governor of Illinois by an unprecedented
majority.
Yet the voters cast their ballots overwhelm-
3ngly for General Eisenhower His victory
which may run better than IS per cent of the
popular vote, exceeds even the most optimistic
forecast There were. of course certain obvious
factors working in his favor. The Korean war,
high taxes, corruption in Washington, the it's
time-for-a-change theme-all of these unques-
tionably are part Of the explanation.
But they can hardly be the whole explanation.
An all-time record has been set by the size of
the popular vote in this election. Normally, big
vote is supposed to help the Democrats, but this
Why did these voters, millions of whom had
never voted before, turn to General Eisenhower?
The solid South" was ripped apart by the
potency of the Eisenhower appeal It is fair
inference that the brazen and demagogic char
Acter of President Trumans whistle-stopping
had something to do with this But there must
be more to the answer
The supposed backlog Of Democratic strength
the minority groups, the city machines, organ
lied labor-these did not produce the expected
voting margins for the Democrats. So, again,
1ust what does the Eisenhower victory mean?
It can mean only one thing. Those Americans
who went to the polls and cast their ballots for
General Eisenhower have turned to him In the
hope and the belief that he is the man to lead
this country out of the doubts, the confusion the
pickering the Illustration and the pettiness
which have dominated the national scene under
the Truman administration. They have chosen
him. whether because of his war record, his
personal charm, his non-political background,
or perhaps because Of all Of these, to lead them
10 the promised better day.
It will not be easy for General Eisenhower,
assuming the correctness Of this appraisal, to
measure up to the things expected Of him. When
his political honeymoon is over, he will have
to face, as all Presidents must face, the hard
problem of living on reasonably harmonious
terms with the Congress. Despite the scorn and
ridicule heaped upon him during the campaign,
his decision to support all Republican congress
siona candidates should help him in this respect.
But even so, he faces hard and trying job
a job that may not be made any easier If, as
seems possible, he is to have Republican Con-
gress, with important committee chairmanships
passing to men who have frequently opposed
vital phases Of both foreign and domestic policies
to which General Eisenhower is committed
So the Republicans, in this, their hour of VIC
tory, should think beyond the cheering and the
exultation of the moment. They have sought,
and have been granted, the opportunity to gov
ern this country after two decades of Democratic
rule. But the four years which lie ahead will be
trying years. There will be no easy solutions for
a troubled Nation in a dangerous world. The
responsibility which will be transferred to Re-
publican shoulders on January 20 is great
one-greater, perhaps, than some of them think
The one thing they must never forget is that the
future-the future of the Republican Party and,
more Importantly, the future of the United
States-may well depend upon the manner in
which they measure up to the solemn trust
which now has been reposed in them by the
people.