SURPRISING even his most optimistic backers New Hampshire voters gave Senator McCarthy a resounding moral victory. The results were a tribute to a man of great personal integrity and courage, who chose to make a stand for his convictions even though most politicians smugly warned of "political suicide."

As McCarthy himself acknowledged to the exuberant crowd gathered at his election headquarters, the Senator owes a lot to the thousands of dedicated campaign workers--mostly students--who trooped into the Granite State ("I've had the most intelligent volunteers in American history--no, in the history of the world," McCarthy hyperbolized on election night).

In these times of student disaffection with the political process, McCarthy has managed to spark an enthusiasm in young people reminiscent of John F. Kennedy's achievement. For many, McCarthy has provided a new incentive for participating in the American political system.

IT IS still too early to predict the effects the results in New Hampshire will have on the course of national politics; however, the meaning of the vote is quite clear: Dissatisfaction with President Johnson and his conduct of the war has spread far beyond the ivory towers.

This erosion of support may force Johnson to reevaluate the situation in Vietnam instead of capitulating to General Westmoreland's latest troop demands.