But more profitable than speculation on the causes of the
victory is some attempt at the assessment of its political effects. In one respect, a most important respect, the situation has altered immensely for the better. For the last two years the always disas- trous combination of a President of one party and a Congress of the other has prevailed. That is now radically changed. For the next four years there will be the same President, and for the next two, at any rate, both Houses of Congress will be at one with him politically. That will make the conduct of domestic affairs far smoother than it has been since the Both Congress was elected, for though the repre- sentatives of the dissentient Democrats of the South may try to cause some trouble, on the issue which has caused their dissidence, fair treatment of the negro, they will have all the Republicans as well as the bulk of the Democrats against them. In the foreign field there will be less change, because less change is needed. A bi-partisan foreign policy has been pursued with a singleness of mind which does credit to both parties, and if it is a matter for satisfaction that Mr. Marshall will continue (as it is to be trusted he will) in the office in which he has served humanity so signally, it is almost equally a matter for regret that the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate will no longer be presided over by so wise and well-informed a chair- man as Mr. Vandenberg. Not much less important to this country, and indeed to all Western Europe, is the prospect that Mr. Lewis Douglas will remain in Prince's Gate to raise higher still the reputa- tion he has built up as an outstanding American envoy.
