Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-10-24
THE SOUTH In THE NEXT con-
GRESS

Cincinnati Commercial, Oct. D.
Evidence accumulates showing the pos
sibility, if not the probability, of a Demo
cratic majority in the next Congress.
In looking over the Southern field and
availing ourselves of the best information
on the subject from all sources, We are led
to believe thar, in the Southern States
alone. the Democrats will make a Gear
gain of from twenty TO twenty-five Con-
Csessmen, and four or five Senators. Nir-
giuia has already held her Senatorial cleo
tion, and Gen. Wiihers, Conservative, is
chosen to succeed Lewis, Republican. In
Tennessee. Texas and West Virginia, at
the Senatorial elections this winter, Demo
Gratis will be chosen to succeed BrownlOw,
Foreman and Flanagan, whose terms ex-
pire March next.
As to COngressmen from the South, the
gains Of the Democrats will be even more
noteworthy. Taking up the Southern
States one by one, we will consider the
prospect from the best lights before US.
Much of our information from that direc-
ton comes through the investigations of
our own correspondents.
The lection day is the Sd of November,
one week from next Tuesday. Elections
are then held in all the Southern States,
EXCEPT West Virginia and Nurth Carolina.
In these States the agony is over, resulting
in a gain Of four Congressman for the
Democrats, two in North Carolina and two
i'm West Virginia. Or, 10 state the West
Virginia case more accurately, the present
DELEGATION stands one Republican, one
Democrat and one Independent, while the
delegatiOn-elect is three straight Demo
Gratis. Whether this is a gain of one or
two there might be difference of opinion.
In Alabama the Democrats are morally
certain 10 gain three, two from the State at
large and one from the Third District. The
Third District is now represented by Pei
ham. who was showed aside to make way
for Belts, one of Boss Shepherds Washing
ton pets. Pelham had a majority Of only
600 in 1872, when the Democrats were
badly demoIalized. The Civil Rights Bill
has alienated enough white Republicans to
give the district TO the Democrats, 70 say
nothing of the unpopularity of the present
Republican nominee.
In Arkansas the Democrats will proba-
bly, make a clean sweep, gaining three
members. Recent elections in that State
show a revolution. the Democrats e,ecting
their Governor last week by 1900 major
ty. The Republican party there has been
well nigh destroyed by the Baxter-BroOks
feud, and they deserve no sympathy.
In Georgia the Democrats will sweep
the State, gaining two Congressman. This
is conceded, we believe, by all parties. At
the election for members of the Legislature,
few weeks ago, the Republicans carried
but three counties in the State, giving the
Democrats in the Legislature majority of
POS on joint ballot.
In Virginia, the Democrats, or COnserva
tives, as called there, will almost GER
tainly gain the First and Third Districts,
now represented respectively by Sener and
Smith.
In Texas, the delegation already stands
sOlidly Democratic, and will not be
changed.
In Tennessee the Republicans are ex-
pected to meet with a complete cefeat.
There are probably more white Republic
can voters there than IN any other South
eIn State, and the Civil Rights bill has
turned them over 10 the Democracy by
as we know from the August
local election. In that State the Demo-
Gratis will certainly gain the Third, Fifth,
Eighth. Ninth and Tenth Districts. They
claim thai they will gain the Second, but
this is doubtful. There is no question,
however, but what they will make a clear
gain Of Eve, which should satisfy them for
the present.
The South Carolina delegation stands
solidly Republican. If the Democrats
gain anything .here, it viii BE- the Fourth
District, where the Independents and Dem
oCrats have nominated Gen. KerShaw. The
r hal n .f
IN that district the last election. which
makes Kershaw's success doubtful.
The Mississippi delegation will probably
remain one Democrat 10 i've Republicans.
In Maryland it is expected that the Dem
ocratS will gain the Fifth District, and it is
possible they will gain the Sixth, giving
them a solid delegation. In all their
claims lately they count on that.
Not including the Fourth South Carolina
or Second Tennessee Districts, this COM
putation will give the Democrats a clear
gain OF twenty-ODe III the Southern States
named. From all We can gather, We think
the figure IS more likely TO be above twenty
than under il.
If the Republicans would hold the next
Congress they must be up and doing. They
must issue great many campaign dOcu-
ments and get out several stirring address,
Is. They must also employ their ablest
stump speakers, and the newspaper organs
must turn the cranks continually and jerk
ont the most patriotic music possible.
Apparently, as the case stands, the battle
ground for the possession of the next Con-
gress Is in New \ ork and Pennsylvania. If
the Republican party viii hold their own in
those States they will retain bare major
ity; but should they meet a defeat there
they can hang their harps on a willow tree,
so far as controlling the House is con-
cernet.