The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-19
TVE ELECTIONS IN THE SOUTH

bova aroused an unusual degree OF attention.
Tba Democracy was so thoroughly routed in
tho last Presidential campaign that politics
nod lost the zest produced by an earnest and
donbtful struggle, and the Republicans were
reposing in the confident belief that their
supremacy could not be seriously questioned.
Tn the midst of this calm however, Virginia,
the old stronghold of Democracy revives the
drooping spirits of the faithful and after a
lono withdrawal from the arena of American
nolitics. her return is signalized by new
illustration of the astuteness of her Demo-
cratic politicians. The root of their partial
triumph is to be found in Republican mis-
manapement and disaffection. Governor
Wells, the regular Republics nominee, had
caused great dissatisfaction among the adj
berents of his own party by his administra-
ton as Military Governor.
We are not sufficiently familiar with the
details of Virginia politics to know whether he
or his Republican enemies are most to blame,
but certain il is that he was bitterly antago-
nized by many of the leading Republicans of
the State. They opposed his nomination
originally, and their opposition did not cease
with the action of the convention. If the
Democrats had followed their usual policy of
supporting an avowed adherent of their or
oanization, the Republican dissensions might
have been speedily healed. But they had too
much at stake to run the risk of an open ad-
yocacy of Democratic doctrines, and they
therefore marshalled their forces in support
of candidate who was selected by such men
as Hunnicutt, the original champion of negro
-, nd taI byy
of the most active opponents of the old line
Democracy. 1t is true that the regular Re-
publican nominee has been defeated, but it is
equally clear that the secessionists of the
State did not dare to put candidate in the
field; and the proved partisans who in
former times spurned all combinations and
coalitions, fall into line at the tail end of an
organization led by New York carpet-bagger
who has pledged himself to sustain the policy
of the administration.
This humiliating example is being followed
by the Democracy in other Southern States.
In Tennessee, as in Virginia, they do not
venture to nominate a candidate of their own.
The contest is between Stokes and Senter
two avowed Republicans, who each number
white and black members of the Republican
party among their adherents. Senter's cleo
tion is advocated by Parson Brownlow, the
pioneer radical of the State, and also by Andy
johnson, and these notorious politicians are
at this moment as closely allied in State poll
tics as they were at the commencement of the
war.
In Texas the Democracy have rallied under
the banner OF no less parsonage than A. j..
Hamilton, who was the most active and eo-
quent advocate of negro suffrage in the con-
vention of Southern loyalists which was held
in this city in 1866 and the leader of radical
ism in the Lone Star.
In Mississippi the conservatives and the
Democracy have nominated as their guberna-
rtorial candidate Judge Dent, who is the bro
ther-in-law of General Grant
All these movements seem to be inspired
by the conviction that an open struggle for
the success of Democratic candidates is hope
less, and that the only remaining resource of
that organization, in the States named, is to
render aid to one of the wings of Republican
ism, in the hope that incidental advantages
may be derived from this policy. Instead of
trying to enjoy full FEAST the Democracy
will be content in their old strongholds, with
a few crumbs dropped from the table.
1t is part of this movement to deceive the
negroes on the one hand, and to force them
into the conservative ranks by prescription
on the other. They are invited to vote for
such men as Walker, Senter, and Hamilton,
on the ground that they were early and con-
sistent champions of colored suffrage and
when persuasionfails, they are threatened with
discharge from their present industrial posi-
tlons. No pains are spared to distort the
issues involved, and the arrogant Shareholders
are ready to stoop to any means, however dis
graceful, that will enable them to deceive or
control the new negro voters. Such victories
are OF doubtful value; and the Democracy OF
the North will have little cause for boasting
II Walkers election in Virginia is to be fol
lowed by the triumph of Senter in Tennessee
Dent In Mississippi, and Hamilton in Texas
Northern Republicans may regret that TIN
party which has so recently been ORGANIZED
in the South can be so easily divided, anC
fear that these divisions are the precursors o
future defeats. But the concessions whic
the Democracy are forced to make should nc
be forgotten, and their departure from the
ancient landmarks can scarcely fail to dem-
ralze their own organization Reconstru
ton is at best bitter pill for Rebel throat
to swallow, and if they find means for suga
coating it which are not absolutely dangerol
or Illegal this consolation should not
denied them.
THE AASSA CHUSET1iS LIQUOR La J
In several of the New ENGLAND States attemp