EDITORIAL : TAKE HEART AMERICA; THE ORDEAL IS OVER, AND THE COUNTRY SURVIVED.

TAKE heart America.

The ordeal is over.

The trial, the vote and the judgment produced a victory not for a disgraced president, certainly, but for democracy and the U.S. Constitution.

Even President Clinton seemed to finally grasp the full import of his reckless actions. He apologized to the American people and Congress and took responsibility for his shameful conduct that triggered the events that played out over the last 12 months.

What toll has the yearlong scandal taken on the American public?

Despite profound sadness, we the people have proven ourselves stronger than the frailties of our leaders, stronger than the vulnerabilities of even our institutions.

The judgment of the people on the culpability of William Jefferson Clinton, president of the United States, was reached long ago in proportion to the alleged crimes he committed.

And finally on Friday the judgment of the Senate was reached: Not guilty on the two articles of impeachment growing out of the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal.

In his closing statements, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist said he was impressed by ``the quality of the debate in closed session.''

It is unfortunate that the Senate's finest hour, their most eloquent, elevating and illuminating debate, happened behind closed doors.

But that aside, the process worked. Even though we disagreed strongly about the time Congress and Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr spent on this abysmal, sordid affair, it proved useful.

Neither side can claim a cover-up.

Neither side can argue it was not given a fair and thorough hearing.

America proved once more it is a government ``of the people, by the people, for the people,'' and not some of the people some of the time.