A Daily Mail editorial from the Charleston Gazette-Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In the early morning hours after being elected the 45th president of the United States, a gracious Donald Trump spoke to the nation.
He acknowledged a phone call from Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and thanked her. “Hillary has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time, and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country,” he said to cheering supporters.
“Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division,” Trump said. “To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people. I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all of Americans, and this is so important to me. For those who have chosen not to support me … I’m reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so that we can work together and unify our great country.”
Clinton addressed her supporters later Wednesday.
“Last night, I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country. I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans,” she stated, handling a difficult loss.
“Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power and we don’t just respect that, we cherish it. It also enshrines other things. The rule of law, the principle that we are all equal in rights and dignity, freedom of worship and expression.”
“It is no secret that the president-elect and I have some pretty significant differences. But remember, eight years ago President Bush and I had some pretty significant differences,” he said.
“Because we are now all rooting for [Trump’s] success in uniting and leading the country. The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.”
Some folks in this country are elated of Trump’s victory. Some are angry and worried. But those who are scared of losing their rights need not be.
A new president cannot come in and change or deny anyone’s rights. That’s the beauty of the American democracy. And it is the beauty of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and all 27 amendments to that Constitution that define our rights and limits the powers of government.
Take heart the statements from Trump, Clinton and Obama. The transition will be smooth. And all Americans can keep working for the ideals they believe in, cherish the rights they have, and not worry about losing those rights.
