The correct answer is C) war.
In this quotation, Senator William Mercy was comparing politics to war.
Senator William Mercy (1786-1857) was an American politician that nad many positions in the United States government such as Senator, Governor of the State of New Yor, Secretary of War, and Secretary of State. His quote "To the Victor belong the spoils of the enemy," was made when supporting Martin Van Buren nomination as Minister to Greta Britain.